Sticking together for good luck and joy

Niangao (sticky rice cakes), which means higher and higher each year, is a must for the New Year's Eve feast in Xiamen of Fujian Province.

Almost every traditional Chinese festival is closely associated with food: zongzi for the Dragonboat Festival, mooncakes for the Moon Festival, and niangao (sticky rice cake) for the Chinese New Year.

The niangao is a highlight of the Chinese New Year's Eve banquets, particularly in Xiamen of East China's Fujian Province, as it means "higher and higher each year".

There are many varieties of niangao on offer at restaurants serving traditional fare such as Xinnanxuan, Huangzehe and Haoqingxiang in Xiamen.

The sweet-tasting niangao with peanuts and red dates is very popular with the locals, in particular the children.

Some people prefer the fried "golden melon" rice cake, which comes with pumpkin and shrimp.

Another kind of niangao stuffed with carrots and white radish is also a must for the New Year's Eve feast.

The purchase of niangao itself is quite a ritual. Getting one's hands on the best niangao in town after queuing up for a couple of hours is thought to indicate that good fortune in the new year is just round the corner.

Back in the 1980s, niangao and a lot other delicious pastries were usually homemade. The preparation of niangao usually takes up a whole day and that may explain the current trend to buy them off the shelves.

Editor: Lency