By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
When it comes to New Year’s traditions, some people make resolutions. Others write goals. The truly superstitious – and the seriously hungry – know that the real power lies on the plate.
Cultures around the world have spent centuries perfecting the art of eating their way into good fortune. Apparently, success isn't just about hard work…it's about legumes, long noodles and avoiding lobsters!
Below is a crash course in the tastiest ways to attract love, longevity and luck as the clock strikes midnight.
Eat Round Foods for Continuity and Wealth
If you’ve ever wondered why Filipinos stock their table with 12 round fruit (one for every month), or why in Italy people snack on lentils, it’s all symbolic. Round foods are believed to resemble coins – meaning eating them can bring financial fortune. Enter lentils, grapes, chickpeas, mandarins and even doughnuts.
In the Philippines, the tradition is to eat 12 round fruit at midnight to represent prosperity for each month of the coming year. Spaniards? They take on 12 grapes in 12 seconds – one for every chime at midnight. Difficult? Yes. Chaotic? Often. Effective? They’ll tell you it is.
Noodles and Greens for Long Life
In many Asian cultures, long noodles represent longevity – but don’t cut or chew them too aggressively or you risk ‘shortening’ your luck. Whether it's soba in Japan for toshikoshi soba (‘year-crossing noodles’), or longevity noodles in Chinese culture, the key is to slurp with grace and hope the strand holds.
Green vegetables, especially leafy ones like kale or cabbage, are also associated with money. Why? They resemble folded cash. So yes, order that salad. It may just be the most profitable thing you eat all year.
Fish for Forward Movement
Fish is a New Year’s staple in many cultures – Scandinavians feast on pickled herring, while in Chinese tradition, fish (yu) is associated with abundance because it sounds like ‘surplus’. The important part? You serve it head and tail intact to symbolise a good beginning and end to the year.
In Japan, eating tai (sea bream) is believed to bring good luck, while in Germany and Eastern Europe, herring is eaten just after midnight to bring prosperity. If you're going all out, caviar certainly doesn’t hurt your chances of starting the year feeling bougie.
Pork for Prosperity
Unlike birds, which move backward or upward (a superstition that symbolises losing luck), pigs push forward. Hence, pork is seen as a symbol of progress and prosperity. From roast pork to sausages, if it’s pig-based, it's fair game for fortune.
In parts of Europe and the American South, pork and black-eyed peas are served together for maximum luck (the peas represent coins, naturally). Bonus points if it’s slow-cooked – because apparently patience is also profitable.
Cakes and Sweet Treats for a Sweet Year
In Greece, vasilopita, a sweet bread or cake, is baked with a coin inside. Whoever finds it is promised good luck. In Mexico and parts of South America, it’s rosca de reyes, a ring-shaped bread with a baby Jesus figurine hidden inside. Get the slice with the figure and you’re blessed (and also responsible for hosting a party. There’s always a catch).
In the American South, cornbread is often served alongside lucky dishes because its golden colour mirrors gold. Even more reason to add butter and call it an investment.
Foods to Avoid (If You Believe in Culinary Caution)
Not everyone talks about the ‘don’t eat’ list, but it exists. Lobster? They walk backward – bad luck. Chicken? They scratch backward – also bad luck. Winged birds? They may ‘fly away’ with your fortune. So, unless you’re hoping to cleanse your life of opportunities, maybe skip the fried chicken…just this once.
Final Bite
Whether you’re preparing to swallow grapes at lightning speed, slurp noodles like your future depends on it or tuck a coin into baked goods, one thing’s clear: superstition has never tasted so good.
This New Year’s Eve, pick your plate wisely. Eat for luck. Eat for love. Eat for longevity. At the very least, eat something delicious – because even if fortune doesn’t find you, flavour most certainly will.
Happy New Year – may your noodles be long, your fruit be round and your wishes come true …one bite at a time.
