ring in the year of the rat with lucky food

On January 1, we ushered in the new decade of 2020 on the Gregorian calendar. This weekend is a chance to celebrate new beginnings again with the Lunar New Year.

Celebrated by more than 20% of the world, Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20 (January 25 this year). Festivities begin the evening before the new moon, culminating with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the year.

Also known as the Spring Festival or Chunjie, the New Year marks the end of the coldest days. Every year has a zodiac animal. This year bids adieu to the pig and welcomes the year of the rat. Fireworks are used to welcome the new year and the season is rife with taboos and traditions. What we do dictates the next twelve months and much of the auspicious symbolism revolves around food. Food is the cornerstone for reunion and this time of year is when families unite and feast together.

We could all use a little bit of luck in our year. Here are some lucky foods steeped in tradition and a place to find them. But don’t let our list stop you from seeking out other eateries. Atlanta has a rich and diverse food culture to explore.

Lots of care and thought is put into menus for Chinese New Year. Dishes are created to give blessings for happiness and success. Often the dish is a homonym for a particular wish.

With a shape that resembles gold ingots, dumplings are symbolic of the exchange between the old and new year. By eating them, one sends away the old and welcomes the treasure of the new. There are dozens of restaurants along Buford Highway that excel in folding the craveable pockets. (Lots of pleats mean more wealth.) Northern China Eatery opens at 10 am, allowing a breakfast of dumplings with deliciously unexpected combinations. Go for lamb with zucchini, pork with fennel, or xiao long bao bursting with soup. You can even order a batch of frozen ones to make at home.

Northern China Eatery (5141 Buford Highway NE, Doraville; 770-458-2282, northernchinadoraville.com)

Long strands of noodles express wishes for prosperity, happiness, and longevity.

Slurp for long life at Lan Zhou Ramen, where you can watch fresh noodles being hand pulled. Order them soup style or stir fried at the restaurant which shares its name with the city where they originated.

Lan Zhou Ramen (5231 Buford Highway NE, Chamblee; 678-691-2175, lanzhouramenatlanta.com)

Chicken (“ji) is a symbol of family. Its pronunciation is similar to the Chinese word for “good luck.” It is served roasted or steamed and always whole, symbolizing togetherness. Inside Jusgo Supermarket’s food pavilion, the first thing one sees are the hanging whole chickens and ducks when you near BBQ Corner. The Cantonese siu-mei style outpost is a fun family exploration spot.

BBQ Corner (3875 Venture Drive, Duluth; 678-691-3850)

Steamed fish is eaten for a blessing of surplus in the new year. Yu, “fish,” is a homophone for the character for prosperity. Always leave some on your plate to ensure that there will be surpluses every year. Szechuan new spot HAI serves hot and numbing flounder in spicy Szechuan sauce and served in a simmering hot pot. Ordering it is like two traditions in one, as hot pot is a traditional feast during the Chinese New Year period.

HAI (2641 N. Decatur Road, Decatur; 470-225-7172, haiatl.com)

Steamed cakes of sticky rice and brown sugar both sweeten a meal and lend a new year to prosperity and perhaps a higher position or income. Sweet glutinous rice balls called tangyuan with their roundness symbolize family togetherness. They are the sugary equivalent of a dumpling. Mango Mango’s menu offers them with many accompaniments. Bring the family for a bowl of almond paste soup with a grouping of rice balls.

Mango Mango (5177 Buford Highway NE, Doraville; 678-395-7694, mangomangodessert.com)

Chun juan translates to “spring” and “roll.” The crisp spring rolls fried to a golden hue resemble gold bars. They are traditionally eaten during Spring Festival for a wish for prosperity. Start a meal with the crisp egg rolls at Fortune Cookie and follow up with Atlanta’s best Moo Shu Pork rolled up for you tableside.

Fortune Cookie (2480 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta; 404-636-8899, fortunecookietogo.net)

A meal at Fortune Cookie ends with slices of oranges. Round and golden fruit like oranges and pomelos are emblematic of wellness and wealth.