Nian Gao Chinese New Year Cake

Nian gao sometimes translated as year cake or chinese new year s cake is a food prepared from glutinous rice flour and consumed in chinese cuisine.

Nian gao chinese new year cake. It has a slightly chewy consistency and a custardy subtle coconut flavor. Nian gao chinese new year cake. I look forward to eating chinese new year cake called 年糕 which literally means year cake during the chinese new year holiday.

One popular dessert eaten during chinese new years is nian gao 年糕. One of the reasons it s eaten during this time is because the words nian gao 粘糕 meaning sticky cake sounds just like the words 年高 which means something along the lines of growing taller every year similar to a pinch to grow an inch this is just used to wish the person good health in the new year. It is considered good luck to eat nian gao during this time because nian gao is a homonym for higher year the chinese word 粘 meaning sticky is identical in sound to 年 meaning year and the word 糕 meaning cake is identical in.

The new year cake has become well known in other countries where chinese communities celebrate their new year. The word 糕 gāo meaning cake is identical in sound to 高 meaning high or tall. While it can be eaten all year round traditionally it is most popular during the chinese new year.

A nian gao is made for the chinese new year celebration in hopes of a good year ahead. For instance in indonesia this sweet snack is adopted by the indonesian community under. Maya liem the celebration of chinese new year never goes without food.

Nian gao or nin gou in cantonese higher year is a sweet glutinous sticky rice cake that is enjoyed year round but often a must have during chinese new year as the name sheds light to give progress advancement higher or taller promising a better year ahead. The cake symbolizes growth progress and advancement. It is often given as a gift when visiting friends and family during the holiday.

Nian gao is a homonym for higher year the chinese word 粘 nián meaning sticky is identical in sound to 年 meaning year. Nian gao also niangao 年糕 nyen gaoww year cake a sweet rice cake is a popular dessert eaten during chinese new year. The cake symbolizes growth progress and advancement.