This week, many people all over the globe are celebrating one of the oldest and biggest holidays of the year. In China, it’s known as the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival. In South Korea it’s simply called Korean New Year. Despite most people’s knowledge of this ancient tradition, if you were to ask one person what dishes are usually served this time of year, it may vary greatly from that of the next person you ask. That’s because, just like the name, the food and celebrations differ from one region and country to the next. To prove this, I’ve asked many friends from around the world about how they celebrate. Take a look, learn and if you celebrate, leave a comment below about your experience.
Memories of CNY Past
Many people gather together with family members that they haven’t seen all year. While together, they will eat home cooked food at a relative’s house or at one of the few restaurants that are open. Some will even go shopping, especially for red clothes. Cheng Cheng who lives New York City but hails from Anhui province, says that her favorite family tradition was putting a coin in one of the dumplings. The person who found it would then be considered a “lucky dog” for the rest of the year. Others remember receiving red envelopes with money and watching the Lunar New Year TV gala together which typically runs until midnight of New Years day. Mingyu, currently residing in Princeton, New Jersey remembers when he would “play with fireworks all week long and create “troubles” to neighbor’s houses in Jiangsu province and no one would get mad.” Ma jiang is a typical Chinese game that Jerry’s family plays during the festival back home in Anhui. It's not as easy to find competitors in London, where he studies, seeing as it’s quite different from the classic American computer. Fiona, in Shanghai, says that it’s a tradition in her family to also give the red envelope to her grandparents, though they usually don’t accept it. Sweeping the tombs of ancestors is another old tradition. Family members take much pride in cleaning the resting spot of deceased loved ones. |
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Traditional Food
"Always dumplings! Every holiday Chinese eat dumplings.
They're a classic!
- Ed, Taiwan
"We always eat rice-cake soup with my family in the morning"
- Terry, South Korea
A few of the traditional foods. From center clockwise:
Dumplings, Fish, Steamed Pork, 8 Treasure Rice Pudding 八宝饭, Fried Pork 小酥肉,
Sticky Rice Ball 汤圆, Rice Cake Soup.
Dumplings, Fish, Steamed Pork, 8 Treasure Rice Pudding 八宝饭, Fried Pork 小酥肉,
Sticky Rice Ball 汤圆, Rice Cake Soup.
"...and many many more delicious food but no English names."
- Shirley, Anhui Province, China
Monkeys and other Signs
Below are the zodiac signs of those polled for this blog. Want to know yours? Find out here.