Culinary expert William Wongso, as reported by kompas.com, says the foods that are served during Chinese New Year celebrations have to represent various elements, such as aquatic and two-legged and four-legged terrestrial animals. Below are some of examples.

(Read also: 5,000 red lanterns to enliven Solo's Chinese New Year celebration)

Yusheng

Yusheng is a raw fish salad that originates from Singapore. The tradition is to mix and lift the vegetable as high as possible. The higher the better, as it represents a higher chance for a wish to come true.

Eight treasure soup

The soup comprises eight ingredients, namely sea cucumber, shiitake mushrooms, fish, shrimp, fish maw, dried scallop, abalone, black fungus, Ginkgo nuts and lotus seed. Eating the soup symbolizes the wish for a prosperous business in the new year.

Shrimp

Shrimp is regarded as a prosperity symbol by the Chinese. It will be cooked according to each families’ recipe to celebrate CNY.

Sea cucumber

Sea cucumber is usually cooked along with abalone. Eating it symbolizes wishes for a better life. Following its high demand during the CNY period, the price of sea cucumber may rise by up to millions of rupiah in the market.

(Read also: 178-meter dragon to ring in Chinese New Year in Singkawang)

Milkfish represents a successful business and promising future endeavors. (kompas.com/File)

Milkfish

William says that eating milkfish-based foods had been a CNY tradition in Indonesia. “The funny thing is, I will only see huge milkfishes, weighing almost 3 kilograms nearing CNY,” William said. The fish is said to represent a successful business and promising future endeavors. “You have never seen a milkfish swimming backwards, have you? It always swims forward.”

'Ayam kodok', a roasted stuffed chicken that resembles a fat frog.(kompas.com/File)

Ayam kodok

Ayam kodok, which literally means frog chicken, is a food native to Peranakan Chinese communities. It is a roasted stuffed chicken that resembles a fat frog. It symbolizes happiness and luck.

Noodles

Noodles are regarded as a symbol of longevity. In Chinese tradition, it is forbidden to cut a noodle while cooking and serving it, as it means you are cutting your life short.

Basket cake represents a close and tight relationship. (kompas.com/File)

Basket Cake

Basket cake, known as kue keranjang or dodol Cina, is a glutinous rice cake that represents a close and tight relationship. It is usually added with coconut milk, young coconut and pacar Cina jelly and then steamed in a banana leaf wrap. (mas/kes)