Today, January 21st, kicks off the celebration of Chinese New Year, ushering in the year of the Rabbit (the animal which I happen to me according to my birth year on the Chinese zodiac). The symbolic and cultural meanings of the rabbit are closely related to its living habits, including vigilance, wittiness, cautiousness, deftness, and self-protection. The year of the rabbit symbolizes longevity and positivity.
There is significance to the animal celebrated during the lunar new year as well as the foods eaten during a typical feast to observe this holiday. I’ve had the good fortune to partake in my brother-in-law’s annual Chinese New Year family dinner, enjoying not only the fare but what it represents.
As with many cultures, food is highly revered and plays a major role in celebrations. The banquet for Chinese New Year is laden with symbolic and “lucky” foods and begins almost before the table is set. This celebratory dinner also known as a Reunion dinner, is large and sumptuous and includes meat and fish as well as various vegetables and ends with sweet food to augur a luscious life in the next year. It consists of a set number of courses, the number is always six, eight or ten, meaning “smooth”, “prosperous” and “perfect” respectively.
The dinners in which I’ve partaken were 10 courses and typically begin with crispy skin roast pork belly. Pork is one of the most common meats eaten by the Chinese year-round and is also used as offerings in religious rituals. It is a favored dish for the feast as its festive value lies in the auspicious golden red color of the skin. Next up, a personal favorite of mine, the deep fried shrimp stuffed crab claw, one of a few seafood offerings as fish plays a large role in festive celebrations as it symbolizes abundance.
The third course is the most uniquely significant offering and brimming with luck. A traditional New Year delicacy known as Ho See Fatt Choi, that consists of braised dried oysters (for well wishes of good things to come or good business), Chinese black mushroom (symbolizing longevity), abalone sauce (assurance of surplus), black sea moss (for wealth and prosperity), and lettuce (which implies growing wealth). Admittedly, not my favorite sampling but I can certainly appreciate the careful construction of this dish and the meaning behind it.
More seafood follows with the fish soup, a savory sweet broth with a milky smooth feel. The secret to this soup’s very particular consistency is frying of the fish first which in turn gives it the creamy white color. Following the fish soup, barbecued chicken; this too an emblematic main as it is representative of family togetherness. After the chicken, a vegetarian course of mushrooms and Bok choy, meant to be a cleanse with vegetables. Here the black mushrooms are meant to fulfill wishes from East to West.
From there it’s on to my favorite course of the evening, the succulent lobster which is proceeded by steamed fish. This, a very customary end denoting a wish for abundance in the coming year. Further, it is served whole, with head and tail attached, symbolizing a good beginning, and ending for the coming year. The final entrées consist of shrimp fried rice and mushroom noodles which are representative of longevity. Chinese superstition dictates that it is bad luck to cut the noodles as they suggest a long life.
No festive meal would be complete without dessert to mark the occasion and our sweet send off for Chinese New Year, almond butter cookies (their round shape denoting good luck and signifying family reunion), and a warm and fragrant steamed ginger milk custard. This ambrosial adieu to guests at this banquet is the desire for a rich sweet life.
I’m always honored to have this invitation extended to me and be able to take part in this glorious period of eating and greeting. Gung Hay Fat Choy! Buon Appetito!
