New York ? Food has always played an important role in Chinese culture, and Lunar New Year specialties both sweet and savory are no exception. They are offered at Chinese bakeries, supermarkets and restaurants in celebration of the big event, beginning this year on Feb. 9.

Among the most popular items are:

Nian Gao, the New Year’s cake, the most important cake eaten during Lunar New Year festivities, is a sweet, sticky dessert similar to a pudding.

The word “nian” means year, and the pronunciation of “gao” sounds the same as the Chinese word for high or higher. Therefore, eating Nian Gao is thought to ensure advancement in the New Year. The main ingredient, glutinous rice flour, is a symbol of cohesiveness and family. It is believed that a household will have a good year if the Nian Gao is made perfectly, with a nice smooth texture. There are many types of Nian Gao, but the most traditional is the one made with brown sugar and dried dates.

Lo Bak Gao, or turnip cake, is a savory dish available at dim sum restaurants year-round but it is particularly popular during Lunar New Year. Served on New Year’s Day as a symbol of prosperity and increasing fortune, the “gao” name again includes a homonym for the Chinese word for tall or high, a good omen for those hoping to grow taller or move up the corporate ladder.