Festivities abound with the arrival of Chinese New Year, traditionally celebrated with a New Year’s Eve feast featuring symbolic foods to bring good fortune.

The main course dishes are the most important — fish and chicken.

Fish represents abundance and is rich in protein to stimulate the mind. Perhaps clearer thinking is the best way to bring better luck.

Chickens signify happiness and a long marriage. Roosters have a place of honor in the Chinese zodiac, and their crowing drives away evil spirits.

Today’s recipes from Executive Chef Andy Kao of Panda Express feature both items. Round out the menu with noodles or rice, vegetables and a side dish like dumplings. Dessert can be as simple as tangerines, which symbolize prosperity.

The dish on dumplings

Dumpling parties are a highly anticipated part of the holiday; it’s a family tradition for everyone to help create the delicacies and feast on them. Because their shape resembles ancient Chinese currency, dumplings reflect wealth. A coin is often hidden in one of them as a sign of good fortune for whoever finds it.