Chinese New Year: What your favourite snack says about you?

Sharon Salim

01 Feb 2016

updated the 2 February 2016 à 11:18

1/10
Nian Gao (Glutinous Rice Cake)
While it means 'getting higher by the year' in Chinese, you secretly yearn a non-competitive, simple life. A traditional lover at heart, you often reminisce about your childhood and love your family more than anything.
2/10
Tang Yuan (Sweet Rice Balls)
Simple pleasures in life make you happy. You don't need Chanel, Burberry or Mont Blanc. Friends and family stick to you for your 'good- samaritan' heart. The meaning of Tang Yuan, 'reunion' and 'being together' reflects your love for gatherings.
3/10
Spring Roll
Instead of diving straight for the abalone from the reunion table, you go head-on for the crispy spring roll and dip it in your favourite tangy chilli sauce. You are a natural-born leader and your charisma draws people to you. Your friends envy you for your massive following on Instagram and you keep your family values right at the centre of your heart.
4/10
Bak Kwa (Barbequed Pork)
The highly raved snack may be extremely fatty, but you often eat it even during the non-festive season in between two slices of your Gardenia white bread. You are patient and determined in achieving your goals even if it means queueing for hours at Bee Cheng Hiang's or Lim Chee Guan's.
5/10
Pineapple Tart
The calorie-heavy snack does not stop you from constantly reaching out to the highly addictive pineapple balls. A romantic goofball at heart, you listen to old Westlife and Backstreet Boys songs occasionally during your daily commute.
6/10
Kueh Lapis (Layer Cake)
You look forward for your granny's homemade Nonya kueh more than the steamboat. You eat the colourful snack by peeling it one layer by one layer. You are loyal and appreciate your friendships. You are sentimental and would often think about what matters most in life.
7/10
Kerupuk (Prawn Cracker)
The visitings are not complete without the crunchy crackers. You don't have a sweet tooth and prefer a cup of mineral water than a can of soda. However, you are thoughtful and sweet-natured - most of the time.
8/10
Peanuts
You are one who secretly despise Kindle, or friends who use the Bible mobile app. You read print magazines and prefer reading hard copy, anytime and anywhere. A strong advocator of traditionalism, you don't like anything pop and contemporary. Jay Chou is fine though.
9/10
Zongzi (Glutinous Rice Dumpling)
Symbolizing a bumper grain harvest in the coming year, you are ambitious and are quite the money-chaser. Sometimes, you tend to take your loved ones for granted in pursuit of material wealth. You recline in luxury and are mostly generous in your ways.
10/10
Sunflower Seeds
In traditional Chinese culture, eating sunflower seeds mean having many grandchildren in the future. You are both a breakfast and tea time person. You can't go for a movie without your salted popcorn and you swear by almonds - for better health and complexion.

More than just chowing down on your nian gao.

It’s interesting to know that we each have different likes and dislikes on our preferences for food. However, whether you have salty or sugary tastebuds, these lunar new year snacks are certainly not new to you.

From addictive prawn crackers to must-have glutinous rice dumplings at every household, these snacks are known to have symbolic meanings in reference to the Chinese traditional culture.

This time, we’ve decided to go one level higher and find out what each snack says about you – your quirky habits and personality. Based on short interviews and observations on family and good friends, these are some findings for you to see if they are indeed true.

Sharon Salim

Photo: Getty Images

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Chinese New Year: What your favourite snack says about you?

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