Chinese New Year 2026
Lucky Foods to welcome the Year of the Yang Fire Horse
For this upcoming Lunar New Year 2026, the Year of the Horse, the foods often linked to strength, abundance, and forward movement are especially meaningful.
For Chinese New Year 2026 in the Philippines, key lucky foods include tikoy (sticky rice cake) for better business/growth, whole fish (lapu-lapu) for abundance, and noodles (pancit) for long life.
You’ll often see many Filipinos buying 12 round fruits such as citrus fruits like oranges and round fruits, for the New Year. These may be in different shapes or different kinds of fruits ( just make sure these are 12 pieces ) to decorate the house or to eat for the New Year, pancit served at breakfast, lunch, and or dinner, and sweet dishes to ‘attract’ sweeter days ahead, along with dumplings shaped like gold ingots, are essential for bringing wealth, success, and prosperity.
Key Lucky Foods for 2026
For better luck this Year of the Yang Fire Horse, the following lucky foods are recommended:
Tikoy (Sticky Rice Cake), symbolizes higher income, better business, and strong family ties; Whole Fish, represents prosperity and having a surplus or abundance at the end of the year; must be served with head and tail intact; Long Noodles (Pancit), symbolizes long healthy life and happiness; Shrimps or Prawns, representing wealth and happiness; Pork dishes, which are associated with abundance and richness; Sticky Rice Cakes or those similar in texture signifies progress and growth; Mandarin Oranges and Citrus Fruits, represent wealth and good luck due to their gold color; Dumplings, symbolizes wealth because they resemble ancient Chinese gold ingots; 12 Round Fruits, representing each month, these include oranges, grapes, and pineapples to attract prosperity; Spring Rolls, resemble gold bars, representing wealth; and Whole Chicken, symbolizes family unity and prosperity.
Additional Tips
For 12 Fruits: Display 12 different fruits on the table for luck, with mangoes for yellow/gold, apples for peace, and grapes for luxury.
Prosperity Basket: Fill a basket with rice and charms to place on the dining table.
Other Lucky Food for the New Year ingredients eaten or placed on the table are Rice, Beans and Legumes, or Leafy Greens, all which are believed to help with stability, productivity, prosperity, and nourishment.
