Auspicious Chinese Food for CNY

Miri is a rather cosmopolitan city. For years the population dwindles during Chinese New Year as many people return home for the new year celebration to be with their grandparents in other parts of Sarawak.

Sometimes if people do not have many relatives or friends in Miri, it can be quite a lonely time.

Students who are stranded in Miri and cannot go back home also feel the solitude. Chinese New Year is not a time for many families to invite friends to stay. It is a family time and many people would not like to impose, to say the least.

Well, it is good to have a look at what the Chinese look forward to their Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner.

One way of serving leeks (in Hebei)

They must have, if they can afford, (Normally the mother would save all her money to at least present the dishes for the New Year), these dishes : Loh Han Chai, a vegetarian dish, Fatt Chai (sounds like prosperity). Kou Rou (braised pork), boiled whole chicken(with head and feet) to signify wholeness of family, Fish (surplus). leek (calculating money or suan). waxed meat (roundness resembling coins),

new dumplings (resembling gold ingots)

The mandarin oranges means fortune and good luck.

sunflower seeds are favourite seeds to be served as they symbolize fertiloity and having many children.

A must have is the nien gou (more prosperous year)

Noodles are served on the first day of CNY to symbolize long life.

and may be some mixed vegetables with seafood.