The calendars are flipping, the red lanterns are going up, and the city is preparing for the biggest celebration of the winter. If you are searching for the Lunar New Year feast foods Edmonton locals love most, you have come to the right place. On February 17, 2026, we officially say goodbye to the Year of the Snake and welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. At Rice Bowl Deluxe, we are ready to fuel your celebrations with the traditional lucky dishes that define this auspicious season.
In the Chinese zodiac, the Horse represents speed, energy, and victory. Unlike the introspection of the Snake, the Horse is about galloping forward, making bold decisions, and chasing success. It is a year to be active and energetic. But before you race off into the new year, you need to fuel up.
At Rice Bowl Deluxe, we know that Lunar New Year isn’t just about fireworks and red envelopes; it is about the feast. In Chinese tradition, food is a language. What you eat during the first few days of the new year determines your fortune for the next twelve months.
From noodles that grant long life to dumplings that promise wealth, here is your guide to the lucky foods you need on your table—and how to celebrate the Year of the Horse right here in Edmonton.
The Language of Food: Why We Eat for Luck
Have you ever wondered why certain foods are “lucky”? In Chinese culture, it often comes down to wordplay. The Chinese language is full of homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings).
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The word for “fish” (鱼 yú) sounds exactly like the word for “surplus” or “abundance.”
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The word for “glutinous rice cake” (年糕 niángāo) sounds like “year high,” symbolizing reaching new heights in your career or health.
By eating these foods, you are literally consuming good omens, internalizing the luck to carry you through the year.
Top 6 Lucky Foods for the Year of the Horse
If you want to maximize your luck for 2026, make sure these items are on your plate.
1. Longevity Noodles (Chang Shou Mian)
The Meaning: Long Life
The rule here is simple: Do not cut the noodles. The length of the noodle symbolizes the length of your life. Slurping is encouraged! A bowl of uncut noodles represents a smooth, unbroken year ahead.
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Order at Rice Bowl Deluxe: Try our Hong Kong Style Wonton Noodle Soup. We use traditional thin egg noodles that are perfect for symbolizing longevity.
2. Dumplings (Jiaozi)
The Meaning: Wealth and Prosperity
With their crescent shape, traditional dumplings look like ancient Chinese silver and gold ingots. The legend says that the more dumplings you eat during the New Year celebrations, the more money you will make in the coming year.
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Order at Rice Bowl Deluxe: Our Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings are a crowd favorite. Golden and crispy on the bottom, they are essentially edible gold coins.
3. Spring Rolls (Chun Juan)
The Meaning: Wealth While dumplings represent silver ingots, fried spring rolls look like gold bars. Their golden-yellow color and cylindrical shape make them a symbol of wealth and treasure.
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Order at Rice Bowl Deluxe: Add a side of Spring Rolls to every order to ensure your “gold reserves” are high for 2026.
4. Steamed Fish (Yu)
The Meaning: Surplus and Abundance The saying “Nian Nian You Yu” means “May you have a surplus every year.” It is traditional to serve a fish whole (head and tail intact) to symbolize a good beginning and a good end to the year.
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Dining Tip: When eating the fish, never flip it over! In fishing communities, flipping the fish symbolized a boat capsizing. Instead, lift the bone out to get to the bottom fillet.
5. Rice Balls (Tang Yuan)
The Meaning: Family Reunion The round shape of these sweet, sticky rice balls symbolizes togetherness and unity. Lunar New Year is, above all, a time for family. Eating round foods reinforces the circle of the family unit.
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Order at Rice Bowl Deluxe: Our classic rice bowls—whether Oyakodon or Beef Brisket—serve as the foundation of the meal, bringing everyone together around the table.
6. Oranges and Tangerines
The Meaning: Fullness and Wealth You will see these exchanged as gifts everywhere. The Chinese word for orange sounds like “success,” and the writing for tangerine contains the character for “luck.” Their bright orange color is also associated with gold.
Celebrating the Year of the Horse in Edmonton (2026)
Edmonton has a vibrant Asian community, and despite the February freeze, the city comes alive with Lion Dances and red lanterns. Here are a few places to catch the action this year:
1. West Edmonton Mall Lunar New Year Extravaganza
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When: February 7 & 8, 2026
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Where: The Ice Palace
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What to Expect: This is usually the biggest party in town. Hosted by the Edmonton Chinatown Multi-Cultural Centre, you can expect loud drumming, high-flying Lion Dances, martial arts demonstrations, and a marketplace of vendors. It’s a perfect family outing before the actual holiday begins.
2. Kingsway Mall Lunar New Year Festival
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When: February 14, 2026
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Where: Kingsway Mall (Main Level)
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What to Expect: Partnering with the Chinese Graduates Association of Alberta, Kingsway usually hosts a fantastic showcase of traditional dance, calligraphy workshops, and the God of Fortune handing out red envelopes (Lai See) to lucky shoppers.
3. Together Chinatown Arts Festival
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When: February 7-8, 2026
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Where: Chinatown
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What to Expect: For a more cultural and community-focused vibe, head to Chinatown. This festival highlights local artists, lights up the streets, and encourages Edmontonians to support the historic businesses in the area.
Let Rice Bowl Deluxe Cater Your Celebration
Cooking a massive “Reunion Dinner” is a beautiful tradition, but it is also a lot of work. This year, why not let us handle the fire and the wok?
Whether you are hosting a family gathering at home or an office lunch to bring good luck to your business, Rice Bowl Deluxe has you covered.
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Party Trays: We offer large catering trays of our most popular dishes, including Cantonese Chow Mein (Longevity!), Fried Rice Bowls, and Spring Rolls.
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Custom Orders: Have a picky eater in the family? Our “Made to Order” philosophy means everyone gets exactly what they want, fresh and hot.
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Delivery: Stay out of the cold. We deliver across Edmonton, so you can focus on the family time (and the Mahjong games) while we bring the feast to your door.
A Wish for the Year of the Horse
The Horse is a symbol of rapid success and vitality. From all of us at Rice Bowl Deluxe, we wish you a year filled with the energy to chase your dreams, the health to enjoy them, and—of course—plenty of delicious food.
Gong Hei Fat Choy! (Wishing You Prosperity!)
