Chinese New Year is the biggest Chinese holiday, and a wonderful opportunity to honor and enjoy the company of family, friends and delectable culinary traditions. 2015 is the year of the goat—which means goat dishes will be popular—but check out these other traditional Chinese dishes and why they should not be overlooked this Chinese New Year.

Lucky Tangerines

Tangerines and mandarins bring wealth and good luck, as the Chinese word for “mandarin” and “gold” sound similar, while the word for “tangerine” also sounds like the Chinese word for “luck”. Tangerines are a great, easy snack packed with potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Add them to a spinach salad to help increase iron absorption.

Whole Fish for a Whole New You

Eating a whole, intact fish represents a good beginning and a good end for the coming year, as the Chinese word for fish, ‘yu,’ sounds like the word for abundance. Fish bones, brains, cartilage and fat are nutritious because they contain extra-high levels of vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc and calcium.

Very Long Noodles

Longevity noodles unsurprisingly symbolize a wish for a long life. Their length and unsevered preparation are also symbolic of the eater's life. Variety is key to any food group, including grains, so try a variety of long noodles such as kamut, spelt, rice or whole-wheat noodles to increase your intake of fiber and B vitamins. Add a whole fish to your next pasta dish to make the most of your Chinese New Year dinner!

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Gong Xi Fat Cai