Sun's kitchen

  Feasting on Chū Sān: A Day of Traditions and Taboos The third day of the Chinese New Year, known as Chū Sān ( 初三 ), carries a unique blend of festive traditions, superstitions, and—most importantly—delicious food. Often referred to as the "Day of the Red Mouth" ( 红口日 ), Chū Sān is traditionally believed to be an inauspicious day for visiting friends and family, as arguments are thought to be more likely. Instead, many families choose to stay home, making it the perfect time to indulge in rich, symbolic dishes that reflect prosperity and good fortune. A Break from Social Visits, But Never from Good Food With visiting discouraged, Chū Sān is an excellent opportunity to focus on feasting. Leftovers from the lavish New Year’s Eve reunion dinner and the following two days of festivities are often repurposed into comforting, homey meals. These dishes not only prevent waste but also ensure that the abundance of the New Year remains intact—after all, food is wealth! A bowl ...

  The Celebration of Chu Er: The Second Day of Chinese New Year Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of grand celebrations and rich traditions that span multiple days. The second day of the festival, known as "Chu Er" ( 初二 ), holds special significance in Chinese culture. Often referred to as the "Day of Son-in-Law" ( 迎婿日 ), this day is dedicated to family visits, honoring ancestors, and continuing the joyful spirit of the new year. Visiting the Bride’s Family One of the most cherished traditions on Chu Er is the visit of married daughters to their parental homes. In traditional Chinese society, married women were expected to live with their husbands' families and had limited opportunities to visit their own parents. Chu Er provided them with a special occasion to reunite with their birth families, bringing along their husbands and children. This visit symbolizes respect, gratitude, and the strengthening of familial bonds. Daugh...

  ✨ Chu Yi Feast: A New Year’s First Bite of Fortune! ✨🐉 As the sun rises on Chu Yi , the first day of the Lunar New Year, the kitchen hums with the sizzle of wok-fried vegetables, the rich aroma of braised meats, and the gentle bubbling of soul-warming soups. This is a day of fresh beginnings, lucky bites, and abundant feasting , where every dish tells a story of prosperity, longevity, and joy . 🥢 Start the Year with Auspicious Flavors Tradition calls for a meat-free meal on Chu Yi, symbolizing purity and a fresh start. Families gather around tables filled with Buddha’s Delight ( 罗汉斋 ) —a golden stir-fry of mushrooms, tofu, and vermicelli, brimming with umami and good fortune. Longevity noodles ( 长寿面 ) stretch endlessly in bowls, each slurp a promise of a year filled with health and happiness. 🧧 A Bite of Prosperity Dumplings ( 饺子 ) shaped like ancient gold ingots bring wealth with every bite. Sweet rice balls ( 汤圆 ) glide into bowls, their soft, glutinous text...

  The Last Dinner of the year before Chinese New Year As the joyous Chinese New Year celebrations draw to a close, one final tradition unites families and loved ones: the last dinner of the season. This meal, often celebrated on the fifteenth and final day of the lunar festival known as the Lantern Festival, carries a bittersweet yet hopeful significance. It is both a farewell to the festive season and a renewal of family ties and blessings for the year ahead. A Gathering of Loved Ones The last dinner is a time for reunion and togetherness. Family members, near and far, make an effort to join this meaningful meal. As the red lanterns glow and festive decorations still adorn homes, the atmosphere is one of gratitude for the time spent together during the holiday. This dinner marks the conclusion of a period of rest, festivity, and reflection before regular routines resume. The Menu: Symbolism on the Plate Traditional Chinese New Year dishes often grace the table one last...

  Celebrating Chinese New Year The Chinese New Year The happiest moments are when families reunite and enjoy delicious food together. As the New Year approaches, the streets of Hong Kong become livelier than usual. Every household starts preparing for the festive shopping. The New Year shopping list is incomplete without delicacies, sweets, pastries, and snacks... Some may wonder, what do people in Hong Kong eat for the New Year? Cantonese cuisine, one of the four major Chinese cuisines, is renowned for its fresh and delicate flavors. Hong Kong's New Year’s Eve dinner is even more exquisite Emphasizing "Good Fortune" Poon Choi (Big Bowl Feast) originated in the walled villages of Hong Kong's New Territories and is a unique dish of Hong Kong. Different families place a variety of ingredients into one large pot and share it together, symbolizing family reunion and abundance. During the Lunar New Year, locals enjoy Poon Choi made with a rich arra...