I had a chance to preview an incredible feast a few nights ago, a 16 course meal that showcased many new dishes which I hadn’t tried before. Chinese New Year this year is celebrated on February 16 and you are going to want to either make an advance reservation if you have a larger party or drop by any of the 7 Peaceful restaurant locations in the Vancouver area to enjoy your own feast.
Peaceful Restaurants has been operating for 20 years in the Vancouver area, owned by Master Chef Charlie Huang, his restaurant specializes in Northern Chinese fare.
Sichuan cucumbers
Woodear mushroom salad
X’an white lamb Soup
Sichuan broth braised fish soup
Xing jhang cumin lamb with sesame flatbread
Mu Shu stir-fried noodles
Chinese rice cakes
Sichuan string beans
Dan Dan noodles
Thousand chilli chicken
Xi’an cold steamed noodles
Chef Eugene Huang with the
Northern pork dumplings
Xiao long Bao steamed buns
Peaceful beef rolls
Pan-fried vegetable dumplings
Sweet rice ball
The wonderful chefs and staff who made this wonderful feast happen
Here are the Chinese New Year lucky foods and their symbolism:
Pan-Fried Dumplings
Chinese dumplings look like Chinese silver ingots. Legend has it that the more dumplings you eat during the New Year celebrations, the more money you can make in the New Year.
Fish
Fish dish is “nian nian you yu,” which means “may the year bring prosperity.” “Yu” sounds like ‘surplus’. Chinese people always like to have a surplus at the end of the year, because this signifies the prosperity will overflow.
Rice Cake
Rice cake symbolizes 年年高 (niánnián gāo): ‘Getting higher year-after-year by year’. It can imply children’s height, rise in business success, better grades in study or promotions at work.
Noodles
Noodles (长寿面 Chángshòu Miàn ) symbolize a wish for longevity. Chinese believe long noodles are symbolic of a long life, so try not to bite or break the noodles when eating. Slurping encouraged!
Sweet rice ball (dessert)
(汤圆 Tāngyuán, rice ball) The pronunciation and round shape of tangyuan are associated with reunion and being together. The roundness of the rice balls signifies a complete circle of harmony and unity within the family.
Peaceful Restaurants operate 7 locations in Vancouver, you can find all the locations listed here.
You can follow them on Twitter @PeacefulResto and on Instagram @thepeacefulrestaurant
By: Richard Wolak