Suffolk private chef Lilian Hiw, of Lilian’s Kitchen, looks at food, traditions and the Chinese zodiac and their importance and meaning during Chinese New Year celebrations
Gong Xi Fa Chai! Happy Chinese New Year!
Did you know that 2025 is the year of the snake? Curious about why, when it takes place and the story behind it? Read on for an intriguing tale of the Chinese zodiac. I’ll also share bits and pieces about the customs and traditions of this festival, including why certain foods are considered auspicious and are eaten during the 15 days of celebration. Chinese New Year, often referred to as Lunar New Year, is also known as Spring Festival in China.
Reunion dinner
Held on Chinese New Year’s Eve, the reunion dinner is the most significant family meal of the entire year. Family members travel from near and far to gather at the parental home.
Traditionally, Chinese Steamboat, also known as hot pot, is served for this occasion. Another popular dish in Singapore and Malaysia is Poon Choi.
Steamboat
This Chinese-style fondue involves cooking raw meat (thin slices of pork, chicken or beef, I usually marinate mine in different flavours), seafood (such as salmon slices, prawns, fish or meat balls) and quick-to-cook vegetables. I like serving dumplings and noodles too. Each ingredient is cooked by dipping it into a round 'steamboat pot' filled with boiling broth. It is commonly enjoyed with dipping sauces such as soy, oyster or chili, and accompanied by rice.
Eating Steamboat symbolises unity, family bonds and the sharing of blessings. The round shape of the pot represents completeness and reunion, the fire and steam rising from the pot signify a flourishing life, the variety of ingredients around the pot symbolise abundance and prosperity and the sharing of food around the pot embodies unity and family bonds.
Poon Choi
Poon Choi (in Cantonese) or Pén Cài (in Mandarin), literally means ‘basin dish’. Traditionally served in large wooden, porcelain or metal basins, it is now often prepared in large clay pots or in a heavy-bottomed cookware like a Dutch oven. Poon Choi typically consists of layers of various ingredients, starting with the cheapest ingredients at the bottom and the most luxurious on top and it’s eaten layer by layer rather than mixing everything together.
Ingredients often include:
Vegetables: Nappa cabbage, daikon radish, lotus root, fried yam and tofu
Meat: Roast duck, roast pork, soy chicken and braised trotter
Seafood: Fish maw, sea cucumber, dried oysters, prawns, scallops and abalone
Sauce: Superior broth, oyster sauce and Chinese wine thickened with a little corn starch.
Legends of Poon Choi
One legend tells of a Song dynasty emperor who visited a Hakka village. The poor villagers did not have any special dishes to serve, so each family contributed their best dish, placing everything in a wooden basin and presented it to the emperor. He loved it more than the palace cuisine. Since then the Hakka Chinese have served Poon Choi for esteemed guests and on occasions like weddings, important birthdays and Chinese new year.
Another legend revolves around the tomb-sweeping festival, where food offerings were brought to ancestors' tombs. After the religious rituals, the food was placed in a wooden basin or tub and shared by everyone present, like a picnic at the cemetery.
Regardless of its origin, this traditional dish symbolises togetherness and unity as families contribute different ingredients to the communal pot for cooking and it represents blessings and joy when shared.
The Zodiac Rankings Race
The Chinese zodiac holds significant importance in traditional Chinese culture and reflects Chinese philosophy. The story behind its creation is deeply rooted in ancient Chinese mythology. According to legend, the Jade Emperor wanted to create a way to measure time, so he decided to hold a race and invited all the animals to participate. The animals had to cross a rapid current river and the first 12 animals to reach the finish line on the shore would each have a year of the zodiac named after them, in the order they finished.
The Rat, Cat and Ox
On the day of the race, two good friends, the rat and the cat, were the first to reach the riverbank. As poor swimmers, they cleverly enlisted the help of the kind-hearted ox, who willingly carried them across on its back. While the ox waded through the river, the rat, consumed by a desire to win, pushed the cat into the water. Just as the ox was about to reach the finish line, the opportunistic rat jumped ahead, claiming first place and leaving the ox to take second. Meanwhile, the cat, still struggling in the water, was unable to finish the race, leading to a lifelong feud between the rat and the cat.
The Tiger, Rabbit and Dragon
The Tiger, known for its strength, conquered the strong currents and secured third place. The nimble Rabbit came in fourth, mostly by hopping on stepping stones and towards the end, it hopped onto a floating log that carried it to shore. The powerful and magnanimous Dragon surprisingly turned up in fifth place despite being able to fly. It had stopped on its way to create rain to help a drought-stricken village. Additionally, the Dragon spotted the Rabbit struggling on the floating log and slowed down to blow a puff of wind, helping the Rabbit to reach the shore first.
The Snake and Horse
The energetic horse galloped vigorously across the river and was about to secure the sixth position. However, a sly snake who had hidden in one of the horse’s hooves, slithered out near the finishing line. Startled, the horse leapt backwards and lost its place to the snake, settling for seventh place.
The Sheep, Monkey and Rooster
The sheep, monkey and rooster worked together and crossed the river using a raft. The resourceful rooster found the raft, while the gentle sheep and the lively monkey cleared the weeds and navigated through the currents. The sheep – often known as the goat or ram – arrived in eighth place, followed by the monkey in ninth and the rooster in 10th.
The Dog and Pig
The playful and carefree dog, despite being one of the strongest swimmers, couldn’t resist the cool fresh water and paused to enjoy a bath, resulting in eleventh place. The Jade Emperor, seeing no more animals, was about to conclude the race when he heard an ‘oink’. The laidback pig had gotten hungry during the race, stopped to eat and then promptly fell asleep! Thus the pig became the last and final animal of the Chinese zodiac.
The Five Elements
The Chinese zodiac has a captivating system that includes the 12 animal signs as well as incorporating the five elements that are believed to influence the characteristics of individuals born in that year. These elements – metal, water, wood, fire and earth – form a cycle that repeats every 60 years.
For example, those born in 2025 will be Wood Snakes and their personalities will be shaped by the characteristics of both the snake and the wood element.
Your personality traits
According to Chinese zodiac beliefs, individuals born in specific years are thought to inherit the traits of the corresponding animal. The Rat is known for being quick-witted and adaptable; the Ox for being diligent and reliable; the Tiger for bravery and passion; the Rabbit for gentleness and artistry; the Dragon for confidence and ambition; the Snake for wisdom and cunning; the Horse for energy and a free-spirited nature; the Goat for empathy and creativity; the Monkey for curiosity and versatility; the Rooster for hard work and punctuality; the Dog for loyalty and friendliness; and the Pig for compassion and generosity.
Until the next time, take care of yourself!
Suffolk News
Explore the legend of the lion Nian, the meaning behind different Chinese New Year decorations, the customs surrounding red money packets, the symbolism of golden fruits, auspicious food and the special events that takes place on the 7th and 15th day of the celebration. Discover more through this link: suffolknews.co.uk/whats-on/learn-all-about-the-auspicious-symbolism-of-traditional-chin-9351758/
What’s On
Live Theatre Dining – Tasting Menu Experience
Indulge in a six-course tasting menu as Lilian prepares each dish before your eyes, sharing captivating background stories and insider tips throughout the experience.
September 27
October 17
November 22
December 6
Cookery Classes
Thai and Vietnamese - June 28
Sushi and Japanese - July 18
Dim Sum 2- September 20
Asian Street Food - October 29
Party Food - November 13
Bookings can be made online at lilianskitchen.co.uk
Pictures by Lin Hoi, Rina Hiw and Doris Hiw
Private chef Lilian Hiw
Author of Lilian’s Kitchen Home
Cooked Food
Visit lilianskitchen.co.uk
