Lunar New Year Traditions: Chinese Candies & Snacks for a “Sweet Year”

Lunar New Year Traditions: Why We Eat Sweets

Billions of people around the world recently celebrated Lunar New Year — one of the most important cultural holidays across East Asia and the diaspora.

Traditions vary depending on heritage, but as 1.5 generation Chinese Canadians (my wife and I both), we keep many customs alive:

• Deep cleaning the house before the New Year

• Large extended family gatherings

• Giving red envelope money (Lai See / Hongbao) to our kids

• And of course… eating lots of sweets

Eating lots of sweets is linked to this tradition:

Start the year sweet, and the rest of the year will be sweet.

It symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and good fortune for the year ahead.

Here are some of our family favourites.

1. Hong Kong Style Egg Rolls (蛋卷)

These are NOT the savoury fried egg rolls you get at restaurants.

Hong Kong-style egg rolls are thin, crispy, and baked — they crumble instantly in your mouth and are slightly sweet.

They’re typically found in East Asian grocery stores and often come in decorative tins during Lunar New Year.

These are nostalgic. Every time I open one, it feels like childhood.

2. Pepero (or Pocky)

Chocolate-dipped biscuit sticks are a classic.

While Pepero is popular, Pocky is actually the original Japanese brand many of us grew up with.

OG chocolate will always win for me.

My kids love them. I loved them as a kid. Some traditions pass down naturally.

3. Jelly Cups

These aren’t my usual go-to snack, but kids love them.

During Lunar New Year, they’re often sold in decorative containers shaped like the Fortune God (财神).

You can find regular jelly cups widely available, but the festive versions are usually found at East Asian grocery stores.