According to tradition from ancient times, people can’t cook with fire during the first few days of the new year. Because of this, every family would make a lot of steamed buns on the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The family with the best buns is believed to have the most promising life in the coming year.

People from the north make steamed buns with leavened doughs, while people in the south prefer Year Cake, or Nian Gao, made by glutinous rice.

The steamed buns can be in various shapes, including cute animals, flowers, etc.