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!

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A bowl of longevity noodle




Many families prepare Longevity Noodles (长壶面), which symbolize a long and prosperous life. Slurping down a bowl of these unbroken strands is a tasty ritual that reinforces well wishes for the year ahead. Some may also enjoy Turnip Cake (萝卜糕, Lóbàgāo), a dish made with grated daikon radish and rice flour, pan-fried to golden perfection. In Cantonese, “turnip” (lóbà) sounds like “good fortune,” making this a must-have dish for the season.

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Turnip cake


Firecrackers, Offerings, and Superstitions

Although Chū Sān is a quieter day in terms of social gatherings, it holds great significance in spiritual customs. It is traditionally believed that this is the day when the "God of Poverty" roams the earth, and many families will avoid cleaning or taking out the trash to ensure they don’t accidentally sweep away their wealth. Food offerings, particularly roast pork and sweet rice cakes (糖糕, niángāo), are placed on altars to honor deities and ancestors, asking for blessings in the year ahead.

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Sweet rice cake


In some regions, firecrackers are set off to drive away negative energy and lingering bad luck. The crackling explosions echo through neighborhoods, a fiery farewell to misfortune and a loud invitation for continued prosperity.

Hearty Dishes to Savor

Since it is an ideal day for staying in and enjoying home-cooked meals, many households prepare hearty, slow-cooked dishes like braised pork belly with preserved vegetables (梅菜美丁, méicài kǔ ròu). The richness of the pork symbolizes prosperity, while the preserved mustard greens represent long-lasting wealth. Another popular dish is hot pot, where an assortment of meats, seafood, and vegetables are cooked in a bubbling broth—a symbol of unity and abundance.

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braised pork belly with preserved vegetables


Chū Sān may be a day of caution and superstition, but for food lovers, it is a time to appreciate the warmth of home-cooked meals and the deep-rooted culinary traditions that make the Lunar New Year so special. So, gather around the table, savor each bite, and let the flavors of the season bring fortune and joy to the year ahead!

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Hot pot


 





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