By far one of the most important holidays for the Chinese people, Spring Festival (or the Chinese Lunar New Year) falls on January 26th this year.

As a country covering 9.6 million square kilometers, China has a massive variety of different foods traditionally consumed during this big event. North China has its "Tang Yuan (Glutinous Rice Dumplings)", while the south China city of Guangzhou has "You Jiao" (Deep Fried Dumplings) and "Jian Dui" (Deep Fried Sesame Balls with peanut filling).

In the past, local Cantonese would heat a pan of oil for the "You Jiao" and "Jian Dui", which is believed to bring the whole family good luck at the beginning of the New Year.

Preparations for the Spring Festival often begin as early as one or two weeks before lunar New Year's Eve. Families become very busy not only preparing food, but also with the traditional cleaning and decoration work that welcomes a "new beginning". During this time the familiar smell of New Year dishes emanate from every kitchen.

Jian Dui (煎堆)

●Jian Dui (Deep Fried Sesame Balls with peanut filling)

Ingredients: sticky rice powder, brown sugar, peanut crumbs, sesame seeds and oil

Said to bring good fortune, Jian Dui are the size of a fist and very popular in South China, especially in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau. An old saying goes that when "Jian Dui comes, gold and silver comes (煎堆碌碌，金银满屋)."

You Jiao (油角)

●You Jiao (Deep Fried Dumplings)

Ingredients: sticky rice powder, peanut crumbs, white sugar, mashed coconut and oil

You Jiao, a kind of snack with different fillings, are commonly eaten by Chinese families. Some say a You Jiao looks like a purse, which means fortune. The Cantonese like sweet flavors, and sweet foods symbolize a "sweet life" for the New Year.