This is an important part of the celebration. Families come together and eat together. The food is typically symbolic. Many dishes have ingredients that sound the same as good tidings. Typically red meat is not served and one is careful not to serve or eat from a chipped or cracked plate.
Fish is eaten to ensure long life and good fortune.
Red dates bring the hope for prosperity, melon seeds for proliferation, and lotus seeds means the family will prosper through time. Oranges and tangerines symbolize wealth and good fortune. Nian gao, the New Year's Cake is always served. It is believed that the higher the cake rises the better the year will be. The tray is filled with goodies like red dates, melon seeds, cookies, and New Year Cakes.