Must-Try 6 Chinese New Year Food in Malaysia & Storage Tips

Chinese New Year is one of the most significant celebrations in Malaysia, bringing families together for reunion dinners and festive feasts. Food plays a central role in these celebrations, symbolising prosperity, longevity, and happiness. With an array of traditional dishes enjoyed during this festive period, ensuring freshness and proper storage is crucial. Using the meal containers from Tupperware can help keep festive delicacies fresh and convenient for serving.

Popular Chinese New Year Dishes in Malaysia

Chinese New Year is a time for family gatherings and festive meals, with dishes symbolising prosperity and good fortune. Proper food storage helps keep ingredients fresh and meals well-preserved throughout the celebrations. Here are some popular dishes and how the right containers can enhance their freshness.

1. Yee Sang (Prosperity Toss Salad)

A must-have during Chinese New Year in Malaysia, Yee Sang is a colourful salad that represents good fortune. Made with fresh vegetables, raw fish, and a tangy plum sauce, it is traditionally tossed high into the air to bring prosperity in the coming year. Storing Yee Sang ingredients separately in airtight containers Malaysia ensures they remain fresh and crisp until it's time to toss.

2. Dumplings & Spring Rolls

Symbolising wealth and prosperity, dumplings and spring rolls are popular dishes during Chinese New Year. Dumplings resemble ancient gold ingots, while spring rolls represent bars of gold. Preparing these in advance and storing them in food containers with lids makes meal preparation easier and more convenient.

3. Pineapple Tarts & Nian Gao (Sticky Rice Cake)

Pineapple tarts symbolise wealth, as the word “pineapple” sounds like “prosperity” in certain Chinese dialects. Nian Gao, a sticky rice cake, is believed to bring growth and success in the new year. Keeping these sweet treats in the food containers will preserve their freshness and flavour for longer.

4. Steamed Fish & Herbal Chicken

Steamed fish is a symbol of abundance, while herbal chicken is believed to bring good health and well-being. Since these dishes are often prepared in large portions, using microwavable food containers is an excellent way to store leftovers and reheat them conveniently.

5. Longevity Noodles (Chang Shou Mian)

Long noodles symbolise long life and are an essential dish during Chinese New Year. They are typically stir-fried or served in a savoury broth. To maintain their freshness, they can be stored in airtight containers until ready to be served.

6. Roast Duck & BBQ Pork (Char Siu & Siew Yoke)

These flavourful meat dishes are widely enjoyed during Chinese New Year, symbolising prosperity and happiness. Storing leftovers in reusable microwavable food containers ensures they remain juicy and delicious for the next meal as they can be easily reheated before serving.

The Importance of Proper Food Storage During Chinese New Year

With an abundance of food served during Chinese New Year, proper storage is essential to minimise waste and maintain food quality. Here’s how food containers and other storage solutions can help:

• Preserve Freshness: Seal containers can prevent moisture loss and maintain flavour. This is particularly useful for delicate ingredients like fresh vegetables and seafood, ensuring they retain their texture and taste throughout the festivities.

• Easy Meal Preparation: Using the containers allows for organised and hassle-free meal prepping. Pre-chopping ingredients and storing them separately in airtight containers can save time and make cooking more efficient, especially for large family gatherings.

• Maintain Food Safety: Proper storage helps prevent cross-contamination and spoilage. Leakproof containers are ideal for storing raw and cooked foods separately, ensuring hygiene and reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

• Sustainable Celebrations: Opting for reusable food containers can reduce single-use plastics, making your celebrations eco-friendly. Tupperware’s durable and long-lasting storage solutions contribute to a greener, more sustainable Chinese New Year.

• Efficient Leftover Management: With large amounts of food prepared during Chinese New Year, leftovers are inevitable. Storing extra servings in food containers can ensure that dishes can be conveniently reheated without compromising taste and texture, reducing food waste and maximizing enjoyment.

Choosing the Best Food Containers for Your CNY Feast

Tupperware offers high-quality storage solutions designed for convenience and sustainability:

• Airtight Containers: Ideal for keeping snacks, dried fruits, and sauces fresh.

• Microwavable Food Container: Perfect for reheating festive dishes without transferring them to another container.

• Reusable Meal Prep Containers: A durable and eco-friendly option for storing various Chinese New Year delicacies.

• Stackable Storage Solutions: Tupperware’s space-saving, stackable containers allow for easy organisation in the fridge or pantry, making meal prep and storage more efficient during the Chinese New Year.

• Leakproof Containers: Ideal for storing sauces and soups, ensuring that liquids do not spill when transporting dishes to family gatherings or open houses.

Celebrating with Freshness

Chinese New Year celebrations in Malaysia are a time of togetherness, joy, and of course, delicious food. Ensuring that your festive dishes remain fresh is key to making the most of the celebration. By using Tupperware’s food containers with lids, you can keep your meals well-preserved and ready to enjoy at any time. Wishing you a prosperous and flavourful Chinese New Year!

FAQs

1. How can I keep Yee Sang fresh before serving?

Store each ingredient separately in airtight containers to maintain crispness and freshness. Assemble them just before tossing.

2. What is the best way to store dumplings and spring rolls?

Use food containers with lids to store uncooked dumplings in the freezer and keep cooked spring rolls crisp in an airtight container.

3. Can I reheat Chinese New Year leftovers in the same container?

Yes! Microwavable food container options from Tupperware allow you to safely reheat your meals without transferring them to another dish.

4. How long can pineapple tarts and Nian Gao be stored?

When stored in reusable meal prep containers, pineapple tarts can last up to two weeks, while Nian Gao can stay fresh for several days if refrigerated.

5. What are the benefits of using reusable meal prep containers for Chinese New Year?

They help keep food fresh, reduce plastic waste, and offer a convenient way to store and serve dishes throughout the festive period.