SPRING FESTIVAL IN CHINA - 3 dishes

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, has been celebrated for 4,000 years according to the lunisolar calendar, meaning the date is different each year and falls between January 21 and February 20.

NEW YEAR IN CHINA

The Spring Festival lasts for fifteen days, full of festive feasts and tributes to ancestors. Characteristic are red decorations and fireworks, and a symbolic tradition is eating dumplings, symbolizing wealth. Before the Spring Festival, the Chinese clean their homes and do laundry, which symbolizes the eradication of the past and preparation for the coming of the New Year. On the doors of apartments and houses, they stick pictures of happy scenes from people's lives or New Year's wishes or maxims. Many people also decide to go on vacation.

It's worth getting inspired by the colors and motifs from this tradition. Or maybe you'll try traditional New Year's dishes?

SPRING FESTIVAL -CHINESE NEW YEAR'S DISHES

Chinese cuisine, known for its rich history and diversity, celebrates not only flavors but also traditions and symbolism. One such traditional Spring Festival dish is "labazhou" soup, which has a history of over 1,000 years. Its roots date back to the Song Dynasty, when it was prepared in the imperial palace, official residences, and temples. This soup is especially popular on the eighth day of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, and its uniqueness lies in the fact that each family prepares its own version of "labazhou". Traditionally, it consists of eight main ingredients and eight additional ingredients, making it not only unique in taste but also a symbolic reflection of Chinese culture.

Another traditional Spring Festival dish is "niangao" - a New Year's rice cake, which is an essential part of the Spring Festival. This cake, made of rice, symbolizes the hope for a better, more abundant year. Equally important are Chinese dumplings, which are a mandatory element of the table on the evening before the New Year according to the lunar calendar. Entire families gather together to prepare and eat these delicacies together. Their shape, resembling old Chinese coins, is supposed to bring financial success to the family. And on the first day of spring, according to the lunar calendar, the Chinese celebrate the Spring Festival by eating spring pancakes, which is another example of how closely Chinese cuisine is linked to the calendar and traditions.

In 2024, Chinese New Year will fall on February 10, beginning the year of the Wood Dragon according to the Chinese lunar calendar. And you can read about Asian cuisine in previous posts .