In every Pingtan person's heart lies a sweet memory laced with the robust festive flavor of the Lunar New Year. Speaking of the Lunar New Year, here are some lucky snacks and amazing local dishes that are synonymous with the Lunar New Year. 

Everlasting Dumpling: Tian Chang Di Jiu (Fried Sweet Potato Dumplings)

Tian Chang Di Jiu, known as " Everlasting Dumpling," is a traditional and essential Lunar New Year cuisine. Crafted from the humblest ingredients, this treat is created by mixing steamed sweet potatoes with sweet potato flour, forming a dough. The dough is then filled with white sugar, chopped green onions, and crushed peanuts, shaped into dumplings, and deep-fried until golden brown. The result is a divine combination of crispy-coated delight with a chewy interior, encasing a burst of sweet savory syrup. Today, you can find it in many restaurants across Pingtan. 

Sweet Crispy Joy: Ke Ke Su (Tea-mate Pastry)

Ke Ke Su is a beloved sweet treat enjoyed by people of all ages in Pingtan. Made from Pingtan sweet potatoes and sweet potato flour, the dough is kneaded and rolled thin before being deep-fried to perfection. The resulting pastries are incredibly crispy and delicious, with a touch of sweetness. 

With a sizzling sound from the fryer, golden-brown Ke Ke Su emerges, filling the air with a rich New Year atmosphere. Residents cherish the memories associated with this treat, considering it a symbol of the approaching festivities.

Eradicating Worries: Cun Zao (Crispy Jujube Strips)

According to tradition, eating Cun Zao delivers joy and dispels worries. This traditional local snack, popular during the 1970s and 1980s, features jujube strips coated with a layer of sugar. The small, crispy strips resemble little "gold bars" and are both fragrant and crunchy. As a well-loved snack by families, these nostalgic sweets bring back childhood memories for older folks and symbolize a tradition for the younger generation. 

Prosperity on the Plate: Fa Gao (Steamed Prosperity Cake)

Fa Gao is an essential festive treat in Pingtan, symbolizing the continuous improvement of work and life. Families in Pingtan have a tradition of steaming and consuming Fa Gao during the Chinese New Year. This cake is not only part of the New Year's celebration but also a specialty used in traditional customs, such as celebrating the completion of a new house or a wedding. Made with meticulous care and attention to detail, Fa Gao features a resilient texture and a sweet taste, offering a contrast to Western-style butter cakes.

Exquisite Tradition: Zha Zao Eel (Fried Vinasse-coated Eel )

Zha Zao Eel is a delicious Pingtan specialty and a must-have dish during traditional banquets. This savory dish, featuring eel deep-fried to perfection, is a highlight at festive gatherings. The appearance is rich and appealing, with a crispy texture that complements the savory and slightly sweet taste. It is often garnished with green onions and served with spicy sauce, enhancing the overall flavor. For locals, this dish evokes nostalgic memories of childhood flavors during the festive season.

Sweet Wishes: Tang Guo (Sweet Glutinous Rice Cakes)

Tang Guo, Pingtan's version of sweet glutinous rice cakes, is colloquially referred to as "Guo." The term "Guo" sounds similar to "fruit," symbolizing the fruits of labor. As a traditional New Year's snack, Tang Guo signifies the continual improvement of work and living standards throughout the year. One popular way to enjoy Tang Guo is by pan-frying it, requiring some skill to prevent sticking. Alternatively, it can be cut into pieces, fried or pan-fried, and drizzled with sugar syrup.

Elderly Pingtan residents recall another way of savoring Tang Guo, known as "Guo Tang" (Guo Soup). This recipe involves the sliced Tang Guo added to boiling water, allowing it to soften. The resulting dish, with a soup base, is served in a bowl and is particularly favored by those who wish to avoid the perception of "heatiness" in traditional Chinese medicine. Pingtan residents consider Tang Guo an indispensable sweet treat during the Lunar New Year festivities, making it a prominent presence on their dining tables.

In Pingtan, celebrating the Lunar New Year is not just about feasting; it's a time to savor the rich cultural heritage embedded in each dish. These traditional delicacies carry the warmth of family reunions, the joy of shared memories, and the hope for a prosperous year ahead. As the Lunar New Year approaches, Pingtan residents, young and old, continue to appreciate and uphold the legacy of their culinary traditions, passing them down through generations.