In the old times in China, gold and silver ingots are cast in the shape of 元宝 and are used as a higher tier of currency than standard government minted copper coins, and therefore they symbolize wealth and fortune. The dumpling resembles a 元宝 in shape, so we eat a plateful of them to symbolize a plateful of 元宝 for the new year.
Big up to Xing Xue. I love her interview segments - it’s hella funny. I’m gonna hit up that Mall in Beijing the next time I’m there (never been to Beijing). Hopefully I get to be interviewed (hopefully in English).
It looks like Xing Xue is a celebrity in China. Did you see all the people gathering around them to take photos of her? By the way, does anyone know her English name?