A student at Nanjing University of Science and Technology shows off her free dumplings offered by the school on Dec 31. [Photo/CFP]

The free dumplings offered to students by Nanjing University of Science and Technology were ordered more than 7,000 times, local media reported.

The college canteen was thronged with excited students on Dec 31, all eager for a bite of the half-moon-shaped traditional snack.

Dumplings, which in Chinese are known as jiaozi, are often eaten to welcome the New Year and are thought to bring good luck. It's a tradition that has been observed by Chinese people for centuries.