The Chinese New Year, otherwise known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is today, February 10th. The date switches every year since the holiday is celebrated on a full moon, specifically the second one after the Winter Solstice. The holiday is celebrated by millions across the world and brings people together with traditions and symbolic dishes to bring in good luck and fortune!
We love food here at RTL (and so do our readers), so we were thrilled to participate in a traditional Lunar New Year’s feast here in Luxembourg! RTL’s Carol joined guests Jessie and Xin at Raku restaurant in Bettembourg (165 Route de Luxembourg) to learn more about the significance in each New Year’s dish.
春卷 Spring roll
It all started off with some spring rolls. They can come in many different flavors, but they represent gold bars to bring in lots of luck and money to the new year.
五圆炖鸡汤 Chicken soup
Chicken plays a big role in the meal because of the similarity between the Chinese words for ‘Chicken’ and ‘Luck’. The chicken is whole to symbolise the wholeness and togetherness of family during the holiday while also bringing in warmth and comfort. The chicken soup might include dried fruits - such as dates, longan, lychee, goji and lotus seeds - as well as healing Chinese medicine.
松鼠鱼 Sweet and sour fish
Like the chicken, the importance of the fish lies in its name. The word for fish is reminiscent to a lucky saying that refers to having surplus - in money, health, food and all the good stuff. The fish head points to the most important person on the table such as the grandparents or parents. This particular dish, called squirrel fish, is done with very technical cuts to the fish to have this ‘squirrel’ shape once its fried.
珍珠丸子 Pearl meatball
The meatball’s round shape indicates unity of family. The meatball style can differ between regions of China, but the pearl meatball is more common in the southern part where more rice is used within the cuisine.
芝麻球 Fried sesame ball
Following the same symbolic meaning of the meatballs, fried sesame balls are the sweet alternative. They are prepared with glutinous rice flour and are filled with red bean paste.
年糕 Rice cake
Yet another important dish that uses a bit of word play, rice cake harks back to a Chinese saying that means, “getting higher, year by year.” It can refer to children’s height or to receiving better grades and promotions in work. This lightly-sweetened cake can be eaten fried or not, and it has a chewy texture thanks to the rice flour.
手工水饺 Chinese dumpling
And last but definitely not least, we enjoy some dumplings. Chinese New Year brings families together to celebrate, so it’s a great opportunity to make dumplings with everyone. Therefore, dumplings are not only a delicious element but a bonding activity.
We hope you get to celebrate and enjoy this Lunar New Year to ring in the year of the Dragon!
And with that, RTL Today wishes you a...
新年快乐 Happy Chinese New Year!
恭喜发财 Wishing you prosperity and wealth!
