New Year 2024- 10 Dishes to Eat that Will Bring Good Luck

The start of the new year is precious, as everyone is opening a new chapter in life as the new year begins. There are plenty of New Year resolutions that one looks out for, making oneself more disciplined throughout the year to grow. The beginning of the New Year marks the struggle and sacrifices the person has made to sustain the previous year and the hope that everything will be fine with many opportunities in the coming year. 

Many traditions relate to New Year's, when the clock strikes 12. Some popular traditions are ball dropping at Times Square at 12, counting from 10 starting from 11:59:50, making a toast for longevity and prosperity of the future, and many more. Regarding food, there are plenty of traditions that one follows from region to region, ensuring that their way of celebrating the new year brings good luck and prosperity to them and their family, celebrating the golden time together. 

1. Soba Noodles: Soba noodles are buckwheat noodles that are very popular in Japan. It is a sign of good luck because of its shape. It symbolises longevity and good luck. The extra-long soba noodles are made especially for people to eat during the New Year because they represent the long trail of positivity and luck for those who eat them. Soba noodles can be served cold or warm, according to preference. They have a very earthy and refreshing taste. Soba noodles are topped with fried or soft-boiled eggs, veggies, and soup.

2. Dumplings: Dumplings are also eaten worldwide as the marking of good luck and wealth. It is believed that the more expensive the fillings are, the more wealthy the days will be in the future. The dumplings also represent abundant resources in the form of fillings and side dishes, marking a successful end of the new year. The dish is best served warmly with different sauces and spring onions sprinkled on top. One can choose from different kinds of dumplings, such as Pork dumplings, chicken dumplings, and vegetable dumplings.

3. Sweets and Desserts: Different kinds of sweets and desserts are very common in India to celebrate the new beginning and expect positivity. Aside from the New Year, there are various occasions where sweets and desserts are known as traditional good-luck foods that bring prosperity and longevity. Sweets like Kaju Katli, Gulab Jamun, Phirni, Sandesh, and many more can be seen in the market. Desserts like kheer, halwa, jalebi, mishti doi, and many more are considered very lucky and precious to start something positive. Various local sweets and desserts are famously eaten during the New Year to celebrate a new start for the year. Sweets like arsa are famously known in Jharkhand as good luck for positive onset. 

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4. Puran Poli: It is a very popular dish in Maharashtra and the South, where it is known by different names and is made locally in households to celebrate the positive onset of the new year with a mixture of chana dal and jaggery. It is kind of a flatbread eaten with different kinds of stuffing. Puran Poli can also be made with brown sugar instead of jaggery. Still, jaggery is considered luckier than brown sugar, as the perfectly obtained sweet brings good luck and prosperity. The flatbread of puran poli can also be made with rice or wheat flour, as per preference. It is also eaten with the side of kheer. Keer is also known to bring positivity and is served during various celebrations.

5. Cakes: New Year parties are incomplete without cake cutting. Cake cutting has been a staple in every positive occasion and every new year party where one celebrates the onset of the new year by cutting the cake, embracing positive and new times. Cakes can have different flavours and textures, Such as chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, etc. An all-time favourite for New Year's cake is fruit cream or plain cake, traditionally cut everywhere. Cake cutting tradition resembles having something sweet on an auspicious occasion, representing luck and hope. 

6. Fish: Fish in many regions are considered a sign of abundance, fertility, and good luck. Having a full fish for the New Year at dinner or a brunch can be a positive marking of the new year and bring prosperity and a bright future. Having a fish in the New Year also symbolises that the current year has been better, and the next year will be even better with more resources starting the celebration in abundance. Having a kind of fish or meat is also considered a fruitful year because of the abundance of resources to eat, which means that there will be no hunger even in the coming years. 

7. Grapes: Eating 12 grapes, representing good luck for each month of the year, is also spreading fast, as the tradition originated in Spain. It represents prosperity and good luck every year without lacking resources or having sickness. Many people celebrate the new year with grapevine and juice, also known as a positive beverage to start the new year with in terms of celebration. Eating raw grapes or custard can mean good luck in the New Year and a positive start to a new chapter of your life. 

8. Beer: Having a beer is also considered good luck on New Year's, marking the onset of new days, which are less worrying and more enjoyable. Having beer is popular among German citizens in Europe, and celebrating with beer and chicken is also commonly known all over South Korea. Having beer also marks prosperity and celebration of the new days, manifesting positively all year round. One can try different kinds of beers, such as a draft or traditional rice beer, according to their preference. 

9. Rice: Having rice on new year's evening is also known as good luck because it symbolises the calmness and prosperity that there is no lack of food grains and no hunger. Having rice as a staple and celebrating a new year is considered lucky because it denotes that there will be rice in the coming days of the year with no hunger and starvation. The food grains will be plenty for a family to feed, and there will be no sickness or loss of appetite in the coming days. A bowl of fresh rice has many significance and a positive aura with different traditions. 

10. Greens: Did you know having different kinds of greens can attract money because the colour of the currency is also green? Having greens in the new year is considered lucky as it manifests wealth in the family. The main idea behind the tradition is that the colour of currency being green and the vegetables/ leaves with so many benefits being green can attract lots of wealth in terms of health and resources. Many Southern countries serve collard greens as one of the staple foods during the New Year celebration.