15 Lucky New Year's Food Traditions Worldwide

Key Takeaways

• Across cultures, New Year's food traditions mix superstition, symbolism, and hope to express the shared wish for prosperity, health, and renewal.
• Foods such as lentils, noodles, dumplings, fish, and grapes are chosen for what they represent, linking each bite to wealth, longevity, abundance, or good fortune in the year ahead.
• Their shapes, colors, and origins deepen that meaning: round fruits suggest coins, golden breads stand for wealth, and long-kept recipes preserve cultural memory through every meal.

New Year's Day has always marked an invisible line between what was and what could be. It's a moment when people everywhere pause to imagine change and to leave behind the pieces of the year they'd rather not carry forward. The promise of a clean slate inspires resolutions and reflections.

In many cultures, this spirit of renewal finds its most delicious expression at the table. Around the world, New Year's food traditions celebrate the hope for good fortune, health, and prosperity. Each bite connects generations through optimism and a shared belief that what we eat at the start of the year can help determine what follows.

15 Lucky New Year's Food Traditions Around the World

International cuisines have their own flavors and customs. Yet, when it comes to welcoming the New Year, one belief seems universal: that food can help invite good fortune. The following are 15 of the most popular New Year's foods enjoyed across cultures on the final day of the year.

Pork and sauerkraut (Germany and Eastern Europe)

In Germany and across Eastern Europe, eating pork with sauerkraut on New Year's Day is a long-standing symbol of progress and prosperity. Pigs root forward when they eat, so they represent moving ahead into the new year, while sauerkraut—fermented cabbage—signifies wealth, thanks to its golden hue and coin-like shredded layers.

Traditionally, the dish is slow-cooked with caraway seeds and served alongside mashed potatoes. In Pennsylvania Dutch communities, this custom remains so beloved that local grocery stores stock up on sauerkraut every December. Some families even hide a dime in the pot, believing whoever finds it will enjoy extra luck in the year to come.

Modern variations include braised pork ribs or roasted pork loin, but in all dishes, the sauerkraut stays non-negotiable.

Black-eyed peas and greens (Southern U.S.)

In the American South, New Year's Day is often celebrated with Hoppin' John, a traditional dish made from black-eyed peas, rice, and pork, typically served alongside collard greens and cornbread. Each ingredient carries a symbolic meaning tied to prosperity: black-eyed peas represent coins, rice stands for abundance, and collard greens symbolize paper money.

The tradition dates back to the Civil War. During Sherman's March, Union troops seized most food supplies but left behind black-eyed peas, which they considered livestock feed. For Southerners, those humble peas became a lifeline, and over time, a symbol of luck and resilience.

Families simmer the peas slowly with ham hocks or bacon, onions, and spices until creamy, while the greens are braised with vinegar and a touch of sugar for balance. Folklore says eating at least 365 peas ensures luck for every day of the year. It's a tradition that ties survival and gratitude to the hope of abundance in the year ahead.

Cornbread (Southern U.S.)

Whether served on its own or next to black-eyed peas and greens, cornbread holds its own meaning in Southern New Year traditions. Its golden color has long been linked with wealth and good luck. The bread must be baked, not fried, to maintain its symbolic value.

Southern cooks rely on stone-ground cornmeal, tangy buttermilk, and cast-iron skillets to achieve a crisp, buttery crust. Some families hide a coin in the batter, believing that whoever finds it will enjoy financial luck in the year to come. Others serve the cornbread with honey butter or crumble it into the savory broth left from cooking greens.

Rooted in the South's agricultural history, cornbread is a reminder that prosperity begins with gratitude for the simple, sustaining foods that have carried families through generations.

12 grapes at midnight (Spain)

One of the most famous New Year's Eve rituals, Spain's Las doce uvas de la suerte (the twelve grapes of luck) has now gone global, thanks in part to TikTok trends. The tradition calls for eating one grape with each chime of the clock at midnight, symbolizing good fortune for each month of the coming year.

If a grape tastes sour, it's said that the month may bring challenges. It's also become common to add a playful twist: hiding under a table while eating the grapes to attract love or manifest a soulmate.

The custom is believed to have started in 1909, either as a clever marketing move by grape farmers in Alicante with a surplus harvest or as an imitation of French high-society habits, where grapes and champagne marked luxury and celebration.

Across Spain, families and friends gather in town squares, especially at Madrid's Puerta del Sol, to count down the seconds together. With laughter and a mouthful of grapes, it's a joyful challenge that captures the spirit of welcoming the new year with hope, humor, and a little superstition.

Lentils for prosperity (Italy and Brazil)

In both Italy and Brazil, lentils have long symbolized prosperity and abundance. Their round, coin-like shape makes them a natural emblem of wealth, and eating them on New Year's Eve is thought to ensure financial fortune.

The custom is believed to trace back to ancient Rome, when lentils were exchanged as New Year's gifts meant to bring riches in the year ahead. Italians cook theirs until tender and drizzle them with olive oil, garlic, and rosemary, while Brazilians often stir in rice for a satisfying meal that fuels late-night festivities.

The belief is simple: the more lentils you eat, the more wealth you'll attract. It's a humble dish that acts as a reminder that good fortune can start with something as small and sustaining as a spoonful of lentils.

Long soba noodles (Japan)

In Japan, Toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles) are part of the New Year's Eve tradition. The long, delicate buckwheat noodles symbolize endurance and longevity, while their tendency to break easily represents letting go of the year's misfortunes. Eating soba before midnight marks both reflection and renewal, a quiet act of closure as one year gives way to the next.

Families gather to slurp hot soba in fragrant dashi broth, often topped with tempura shrimp, green onions, or a soft-boiled egg. In some regions, the noodles are served cold with a light dipping sauce. According to custom, the entire bowl must be finished before midnight, as leaving noodles behind is said to bring bad luck.

The practice dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868), when gold merchants used soba dough to collect gold dust from their floors, seeing it as a sign of wealth and resilience. Today, soba shops overflow on December 31st, a reflection of Japan's deep belief that simple rituals, carried out with intention, can influence destiny.

Pomegranates (Greece and Turkey)

In Greece and Turkey, pomegranates symbolize fertility, abundance, and good fortune. Greeks smash a pomegranate on the doorstep at midnight and believe that the more seeds that scatter, the more blessings the household will receive. Turks serve pomegranate seeds in salads or desserts, believing the ruby-red fruit attracts prosperity.

Ancient Greeks associated pomegranates with Persephone, the goddess of spring and rebirth. The fruit's hundreds of seeds represent countless opportunities. Modern families hang pomegranates as decorations or give them as gifts.

In Turkey, pomegranate molasses flavors roasted meats and grain salads, adding tang and depth. The fruit's jewel-like appearance makes it visually striking on New Year's tables. This tradition links mythology, agriculture, and the desire for a fruitful year.

Round fruits for wealth (Philippines and Asia)

In the Philippines, displaying thirteen round fruits on the New Year's table is a cherished tradition symbolizing prosperity and abundance. The shape of fruits like oranges, grapes, apples, and melons is linked to coins and financial success for the coming year, while the number thirteen adds an extra measure of good fortune beyond the twelve months.

This belief extends across Southeast Asia and China, where round fruits like mandarin oranges hold special meaning. Their bright orange hue symbolizes gold, and their sweetness stands for joy and harmony.

Filipinos often eat the fruit immediately after midnight or keep it on display for days to prolong their luck.

Ring-shaped cakes and breads (Greece)

Greece's vasilopita is a sweet bread or cake baked with a coin hidden inside. Families cut it after midnight; whoever finds the coin receives luck for the year. The cake commemorates St. Basil the Great, who, according to legend, distributed loaves of bread containing hidden gold coins to help the poor. Today, families cut the cake just after midnight, and the person who finds the coin in their slice is believed to be blessed with luck for the year ahead.

The circular shape of vasilopita symbolizes the continuity of time, and its flavor, often enriched with orange zest and masticha (a fragrant resin from the mastic tree), fills homes with a warm, citrusy aroma. Bakers sometimes mark the cake with the sign of the cross or decorate it with the year written in sesame seeds or almonds.

Each slice follows a ritual order: the first for Christ, the second for the home, and the rest divided among family members by age. This act of sharing represents generosity, unity, and the wish that everyone partakes in the blessings of the year to come.

Whole fish for abundance (China and Europe)

Serving a whole fish, complete with head and tail, represents a year that begins and ends in harmony. In China, the word for fish, yú, sounds like the word for surplus, which makes it a must-have dish for ensuring prosperity in the year ahead. Across Europe, especially in Poland and Germany, families serve whole fish to attract wealth and continuity.

Chinese households often steam fish with ginger, scallions, and soy sauce, leaving a portion uneaten to symbolize leftover abundance. The fish is positioned with its head facing the eldest person as a sign of respect.

In Poland, carp is the traditional choice, and though the old practice of keeping it alive in a bathtub has mostly faded, it remains an enduring symbol of luck. The dish's completeness reflects unity and progress, reminding families that balance and care bring lasting fortune.

Dumplings and spring rolls (China)

In Chinese culture, dumplings (jiaozi) and spring rolls are also symbols of wealth and renewal. Dumplings are shaped like ancient gold ingots, while spring rolls resemble gold bars. Eating them during Lunar New Year celebrations is believed to bring prosperity and good luck.

Families gather on New Year's Eve to fold dumplings filled with pork, cabbage, and ginger. Making them together strengthens bonds as generations share stories and laughter. Some households hide a peanut or date inside one dumpling, promising extra luck to whoever finds it.

Spring rolls, golden and crisp after frying, are filled with vegetables, shrimp, or pork and served with sweet chili sauce. These dishes reflect not just the desire for fortune but the deeper values of connection, teamwork, and the joy of creating something together.

Pickled herring (Poland and Scandinavia)

In Poland and Scandinavia, eating pickled herring at midnight is a symbol of abundance and renewal. The fish's silvery sheen represents coins, while its habit of swimming in schools reflects community and togetherness.

Polish families serve herring marinated in vinegar, onions, and spices, often as part of a larger holiday feast. In Scandinavia, sill (herring) comes in varieties such as mustard, dill, or creamy sauces, typically served on crispbread with boiled potatoes. 

Pickled herring became a traditional dish in Northern Europe because it could be preserved easily and kept through long winters. Eating it during New Year's celebrations reflects that same practicality and gratitude for nature's abundance. It's a way for families to honor their heritage and hope for continued prosperity in the year ahead.

Tamales (Mexico)

Mexican families prepare hundreds of tamales for New Year's celebrations. These corn-dough parcels, filled with pork, chicken, or sweet mixtures like pineapple and cinnamon, are wrapped in corn husks and steamed to perfection. Making tamales is a group effort known as a tamalada, where relatives gather to prepare, cook, and share in the spirit of unity.

Tamales stand for abundance, labor, and love. Their preparation is time-intensive, yet deeply rewarding as each layer, from masa to filling, is accompanied by care and intention.

The dish's origins trace back to pre-Columbian festivals, where it was prepared for rituals and offerings. Today, tamales remain a symbol of continuity and community, carrying the warmth of family tradition into the new year.

Marzipan pigs (Germany and Austria)

In Germany and Austria, gifting marzipan pigs, or Glücksschwein (lucky pigs), is a lighthearted way to wish loved ones prosperity. The pig has long symbolized wealth and good fortune, once considered a sign of abundance for farming families.

Made from sweet almond paste and sugar, marzipan pigs are molded by hand, often decorated with clovers or horseshoes for extra luck. Many people keep them as decorations until Epiphany, while others savor them slowly after the celebrations.

The cheerful appearance of these pink figurines brings humor and sweetness to the table, reminding everyone that prosperity also means joy and playfulness.

Rice pudding with a hidden almond (Scandinavia)

In Scandinavian homes, New Year's and Christmas meals often end with risgrynsgröt (rice pudding) served with one hidden almond. The person who finds it is said to receive good luck and sometimes a marzipan pig as a prize.

The pudding is simmered slowly with milk, sugar, and cardamom until thick and creamy, then served warm with butter and cinnamon sugar. Families eat it together, watching eagerly to see who will discover the almond.

This tradition captures the core of Nordic celebration: simplicity, warmth, and togetherness. It shows that even a humble dessert can hold joy and the promise of a fortunate year ahead.

What Not to Eat on New Year's

While many foods are eaten to attract luck and prosperity, others are purposely avoided because they are thought to bring misfortune. Around the world, traditions warn against certain dishes whose movements, colors, or shapes carry negative symbolism.

Lobster and crab, for example, move backward, which some believe can cause setbacks in the coming year. Chicken is also avoided in many households since it scratches the ground backward, symbolically sweeping good fortune away. In some regions, winged poultry is skipped altogether for fear that luck might "fly away."

Across Asia, white foods such as tofu or eggs are often avoided because white is associated with mourning and death. In parts of Italy, people steer clear of broken or crumbled foods, believing they represent a fractured or unstable year ahead.

These customs show how deeply food and symbolism intertwine. In many cultures, these meals are as much about meaning as they are about flavor.

How Food Traditions Shape Our Knowledge

New Year's food traditions preserve cultural memory.  Every time a family prepares a familiar dish, they pass down stories of resilience, celebration, and belonging. When a grandmother teaches her grandchild to fold dumplings or season lentils, she isn't just sharing a recipe; she's keeping identity alive through taste and touch.

These shared rituals connect communities. In Madrid, people gather to eat grapes at midnight; in Mexico, families hold tamaladas; and in Japan, long lines form at soba shops on New Year's Eve. Across cultures, patterns emerge—round foods represent coins, greens symbolize wealth, and noodles stand for longevity. Together, they reveal a common wish for prosperity and renewal.

At Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, students explore how food connects culture, history, and creativity. Programs such as the Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts, the Swiss Diploma in Culinary Arts, and the Swiss Diploma in Pastry Arts combine technical mastery with global culinary perspectives. Students learn professional skills while developing an understanding of how traditions evolve and influence modern cuisine.

Food traditions continue to change as cultures interact. Learning about them prepares future chefs to honor heritage while embracing innovation.

A Fresh Start Through Food

The beauty of all these foods and traditions lies in their diversity and shared spirit. Around the world, cultures use different ingredients to express the same hopes for the year ahead: prosperity, health, and good fortune. A lentil in Rome and a black-eyed pea in Georgia both symbolize wealth. A long noodle in Tokyo and a ring-shaped bread in Athens represent continuity and the unbroken flow of life. The flavors vary, but the meaning remains the same.

If you're inspired to understand how culture and cuisine intertwine, explore our programs at Culinary Arts Academy. Students learn under internationally renowned chefs and visiting masters, gaining hands-on experience that blends culinary technique with cultural understanding. Every dish becomes an opportunity to explore how traditions evolve and how food unites people across borders.

Like the New Year itself, every lesson is an invitation to begin again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some traditional drinks associated with New Year's celebrations?

Champagne and sparkling wine are nearly universal, symbolizing celebration and effervescence. In Japan, sake is served; in Latin America, ponche (a warm fruit punch); and in Scotland, whisky accompanies Hogmanay festivities.

How do different cultures celebrate New Year's Eve?

Celebrations vary widely: fireworks in Sydney, bell-ringing in Spain, temple visits in Japan, and parades in New York. Food, however, is a common thread: nearly every culture marks the occasion with symbolic dishes meant to ensure a prosperous year.

Are there vegetarian New Year’s food traditions?

Absolutely. Many symbolic foods tied to good fortune are plant-based. Lentils, greens, and rice represent prosperity and renewal, while noodles signify longevity, and round fruits like oranges and grapes symbolize unity and wealth.