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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 43 (from laksa140)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa043.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide","crawl_time":1775839937,"first_indexed_time":1620259925,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,seriouseats!www,\/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide s443","src_root_hash":"3385208949286065243","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"A Guide to Celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year at Home","meta_descriptions":["Want to celebrate Chinese New Year? Here's how, from party prep to recipes."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"This Friday, February 12, is Lunar New Year or, as I like to call it, Thanksgiving\npart deux\n. Sure, it kicks off the new year but, like Thanksgiving, it's really about having family come together and celebrate with lots of good food. The holiday itself is observed in many countries throughout Asia, from Korea to China to Vietnam, and each has slightly different traditions. Here are a few of the practices most common in China (because traditions vary from region to region, it's far from an exhaustive list, though).\nPreparing for the Lunar New Year\nClean Your Home\nShao Z.\nGiving your home a good cleaning a day or two before the New Year is a common practice. New Year's day itself is all about celebrating, so no cleaning should be done then. Decorations should be in bright, cheerful colors. Citruses such as tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are set on a platter and put on display—they symbolize prosperity and good luck.\nSet Out Sweet Snacks\nIn Chinese families, there's usually a red platter filled with dried sweet fruits such as lotus seeds, lotus root, melon seeds, and coconut, and families and friends who visit the house are encouraged to enjoy them. My mom would also always place two red envelopes on the platter as colorful decoration.\nSuperstitions\nEvery culture has them, and during the Lunar New Year it's even more important to know what they are. In general, it's bad luck to mention death, pain, debt, and basically anything else that's unpleasant. On the flip side, it's good to dress up in cheerful colors, like red, and new clothing. In Chinese culture, it's bad luck to wash your hair the day of the New Year, so shampooing must be done the night before. Also, there should be no yelling and shouting, so keep those tempers in check! Nobody wants to start the new year with a fight.\nThe Food\nShao Z.\nNow that we've covered all that other stuff, let's get to what we're really interested in: the food!\nMealtime is one of the most important parts of the Lunar New Year celebrations. But unlike the turkey served for Thanksgiving, there really isn't one main dish that defines the Lunar New Year. We have some\npopular recipes for the Chinese Lunar New Year\nif you want to get cooking right away, but it's worth noting that different countries serve different cuisines, and different regions, specifically in China, also have their own local dishes for the celebration.\nDumplings wrapped with wheat flour wrappers are a popular item for Northern Chinese families, while in the Southern regions and Hong Kong, families tend to make\nturnip cake (law bok gow)\n, a savory and wonderfully glutinous dish that's made with daikon radish and studded with various types of pork and shrimp. Rice cake, meanwhile, is popular in both Korea and China during the New Year. In China, depending on what region you're in, rice cake could be white or amber in color, and either steamed or stir-fried.\nIf anything, whole fish is the most common sight, and it's often a centerpiece of the\nNew Year table\n—especially at Reunion dinner, which is held on New Year's eve. My mom used to make two simple, steamed whole fish that she'd top with scallions, ginger, and cilantro; one we'd eat for Reunion dinner, the other would be leftovers for New Year's day—it was considered good luck to have leftovers going into the new year. I love\nthis steamed whole fish recipe\n, similar to my mother's, but with garlic and fermented black beans added for even more flavor.\nOne final dish that I love to have on the New Year's table is\nmushrooms with tofu and mustard green\n. It's a vegetarian dish that's my own spin on a classic New Year's offering: abalone with dried oysters and shiitake. Mine doesn't have seafood like the original, but I promise it's just as tasty.\nFor more ideas, take a look\nat these great appetizers for a Chinese New Year feast\n.\nTraditions, superstitions, and food may vary from one country and region to the next, but the important part of all these celebrations is family and friends. So make sure to decorate your space with a platter of citrus, wear something red or colorful, have a feast, and celebrate with family and friends you love.\nRead More\nEight Lucky Recipes to Ring in the Chinese New Year\nMushrooms and Tofu With Chinese Mustard Greens\nChinese Steamed Whole Fish With Fermented Black Beans and Garlic\nChinese Turnip Cake With Sausage, Bacon and Mushrooms (Law Bok Gow)\nFebruary 2015","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to Content](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide#skip-to-content)\n\n[My Saves](https:\/\/www.myrecipes.com\/)\n\nbutton\n\nbutton\n\n- [Recipes](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/all-recipes-5117985)\n  - [Recipes by Course](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/recipes-by-course-5117906)\n  - [Recipes by Ingredient](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/recipes-by-ingredient-recipes-5117749)\n  - [Recipes by Cuisine](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/recipes-by-world-cuisine-5117277)\n  - [Recipes by Method](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/recipes-by-method-5117399)\n  - [Recipes by Diet](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/recipes-by-diet-5117779)\n  - [Recipes by Holiday & Season](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/holiday-season-recipes-5117984)\n  - [View all](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/all-recipes-5117985)\n- [How-Tos](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/how-tos-5118034)\n  - [Techniques](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/techniques-5118032)\n  - [Tips & Troubleshooting](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/tips-trouble-shooting-5118014)\n  - [Grilling Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/grilling-guides-5118026)\n  - [Stovetop Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/stovetop-guides-5118016)\n  - [Baking Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/baking-guides-5118031)\n  - [Entertaining](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/entertaining-5118033)\n  - [The Food Lab](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/the-food-lab-5118015)\n  - [View all](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/how-tos-5118034)\n- [World Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/world-cuisine-guides-5117177)\n  - [African Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/african-cuisine-guides-5117176)\n  - [Asian Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/asian-cuisine-guides-5117164)\n  - [Caribbean Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/caribbean-cuisine-guides-5117113)\n  - [Central American Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/central-american-cuisine-guides-5117136)\n  - [European Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/european-cuisine-guides-5117108)\n  - [Middle Eastern Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/middle-eastern-cuisine-guides-5117157)\n  - [North American Cuisine Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/north-american-cuisine-guides-5117134)\n  - [Oceanic Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/oceanic-cuisine-guides-5117084)\n  - [South American Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/south-american-cuisine-guides-5117118)\n  - [View all](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/world-cuisine-guides-5117177)\n- [Ingredients](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/ingredients-guides-5118013)\n  - [Chicken Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chicken-guides-5118008)\n  - [Drink Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/drink-guides-5181286)\n  - [Egg Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/egg-guides-5118005)\n  - [Fruit Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/fruit-guides-5118003)\n  - [Noodle Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/noodle-guides-5117999)\n  - [Pantry Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/pantry-guides-5181287)\n  - [Pork Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/pork-guides-5117995)\n  - [Rice & Grain Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/rice-grain-guides-5117992)\n  - [Seafood Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/seafood-guides-5117991)\n  - [Vegetable Guides](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/vegetable-guides-5117987)\n  - [Taste Tests](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/taste-tests-5117986)\n  - [View all](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/ingredients-guides-5118013)\n- [Equipment](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/equipment-5117081)\n  - [Coffee & Tea](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/coffee-tea-5118050)\n  - [Cookware](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/cookware-5118049)\n  - [Knives](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/knives-5118044)\n  - [Tools & Gadgets](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/tools-gadgets-5118041)\n  - [Grilling & Outdoor](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/grilling-outdoor-5118046)\n  - [Electric Appliances](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/electric-appliances-5118048)\n  - [Seriously Good Gear](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/seriously-good-kitchen-gear-7255050)\n  - [Bakeware](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/bakeware-5118053)\n  - [Kitchen Basics](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/kitchen-basics-5118045)\n  - [Storage & Organization](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/storage-organization-5118043)\n  - [Barware](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/barware-5118052)\n  - [Tableware](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/tableware-5118042)\n  - [Books](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/books-5118051)\n  - [Seasonal & Gifts](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/gifts-5118047)\n  - [View all](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/equipment-5117081)\n- [Features](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/features-5118040)\n  - [Dining Out](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/dining-out-5118039)\n  - [Food History](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/food-history-5118037)\n  - [Food Industry](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/food-industry-5118038)\n  - [Food Science](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/food-science-5118036)\n  - [Personal Essays](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/personal-essays-5118035)\n  - [View all](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/features-5118040)\n- [About us](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/about-us-5120006)\n- Newsletter\n- [My Saves](https:\/\/www.myrecipes.com\/)\n- Get fresh recipes, cooking tips, deal alerts, and more\\!\n- - [About Us](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/about-us-5120006)\n  - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/about-us-5120006#toc-contact-us)\n\n[Tired of losing recipes? Save your favorites on MyRecipes for free](https:\/\/www.myrecipes.com\/authentication\/login?regSource=p1z6s1&isMyrecipes=true&utm_source=seriouseats&utm_medium=sitewidebanner)\n\n# A Guide to Celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year at Home\nWant to celebrate Chinese New Year? Here's how, from party prep to recipes.\n\nBy\n\n[Shao Z.](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/shao-z-5118993)\n\n![Shao Zhi Zhong is a contributing writer at Serious Eats. ]()\n\n![Shao Zhi Zhong is a contributing writer at Serious Eats. ](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/VsEWvzso8B_DpgkSonImNcvB9Q0=\/200x200\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__mt-static__support__uploads__profile_2-97795df7fb024ec59278b0e48d1e9140.png)\n\n[Shao Z.](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/shao-z-5118993)\n\nShao Zhi Zhong is a Chinese-born and Philadelphia-raised food writer and recipe developer who specializes in Chinese home cooking. She's also a web designer.\n\nLearn about Serious Eats' [Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/about-us-5120006#toc-editorial-guidelines)\n\nUpdated January 20, 2023\n\nClose\n\n![20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7.jpg](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/FoNT6xx6Y9z2iFkYt7hWnvvKEtg=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__02__20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7-7578122625344ea18a3a99ef0f2f2ad5.jpg)\n\n![20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7.jpg](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/FoNT6xx6Y9z2iFkYt7hWnvvKEtg=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__02__20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7-7578122625344ea18a3a99ef0f2f2ad5.jpg)\n\nShao Z.\n\nIn This Article\n\nExpand\n\n- [Preparing for the Lunar New Year](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide#toc-preparing-for-the-lunar-new-year)\n- [Lunar New Year Superstitions](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide#toc-superstitions)\n- [Lunar New Year Food](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide#toc-the-food)\n- [Some Lunar New Year Recipes](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide#toc-read-more)\n\nThis Friday, February 12, is Lunar New Year or, as I like to call it, Thanksgiving *part deux*. Sure, it kicks off the new year but, like Thanksgiving, it's really about having family come together and celebrate with lots of good food. The holiday itself is observed in many countries throughout Asia, from Korea to China to Vietnam, and each has slightly different traditions. Here are a few of the practices most common in China (because traditions vary from region to region, it's far from an exhaustive list, though).\n\n## Preparing for the Lunar New Year\n### Clean Your Home\n![20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7.jpg]()\n\n![20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7.jpg](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/FoNT6xx6Y9z2iFkYt7hWnvvKEtg=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__02__20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7-7578122625344ea18a3a99ef0f2f2ad5.jpg)\n\nShao Z.\n\nGiving your home a good cleaning a day or two before the New Year is a common practice. New Year's day itself is all about celebrating, so no cleaning should be done then. Decorations should be in bright, cheerful colors. Citruses such as tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are set on a platter and put on display—they symbolize prosperity and good luck.\n\n### Set Out Sweet Snacks\nIn Chinese families, there's usually a red platter filled with dried sweet fruits such as lotus seeds, lotus root, melon seeds, and coconut, and families and friends who visit the house are encouraged to enjoy them. My mom would also always place two red envelopes on the platter as colorful decoration.\n\n## Superstitions\nEvery culture has them, and during the Lunar New Year it's even more important to know what they are. In general, it's bad luck to mention death, pain, debt, and basically anything else that's unpleasant. On the flip side, it's good to dress up in cheerful colors, like red, and new clothing. In Chinese culture, it's bad luck to wash your hair the day of the New Year, so shampooing must be done the night before. Also, there should be no yelling and shouting, so keep those tempers in check! Nobody wants to start the new year with a fight.\n\n## The Food\n![20150206-braised-tofu-mushrooms-shao-z-8.jpg]()\n\n![20150206-braised-tofu-mushrooms-shao-z-8.jpg](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/Ei9WscqR4MDXuI5wR4S0p5Eg-XI=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__02__20150206-braised-tofu-mushrooms-shao-z-8-79a2a34100574198af5729e977ec2e47.jpg)\n\nShao Z.\n\nNow that we've covered all that other stuff, let's get to what we're really interested in: the food\\!\n\nMealtime is one of the most important parts of the Lunar New Year celebrations. But unlike the turkey served for Thanksgiving, there really isn't one main dish that defines the Lunar New Year. We have some [popular recipes for the Chinese Lunar New Year](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods) if you want to get cooking right away, but it's worth noting that different countries serve different cuisines, and different regions, specifically in China, also have their own local dishes for the celebration.\n\nDumplings wrapped with wheat flour wrappers are a popular item for Northern Chinese families, while in the Southern regions and Hong Kong, families tend to make [turnip cake (law bok gow)](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/how-to-make-chinese-turnip-cake-law-bock-gow), a savory and wonderfully glutinous dish that's made with daikon radish and studded with various types of pork and shrimp. Rice cake, meanwhile, is popular in both Korea and China during the New Year. In China, depending on what region you're in, rice cake could be white or amber in color, and either steamed or stir-fried.\n\nIf anything, whole fish is the most common sight, and it's often a centerpiece of the [New Year table](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/good-luck-food-new-year-pork-sauerkraut-lentil-herring-collards-hoppin-john)—especially at Reunion dinner, which is held on New Year's eve. My mom used to make two simple, steamed whole fish that she'd top with scallions, ginger, and cilantro; one we'd eat for Reunion dinner, the other would be leftovers for New Year's day—it was considered good luck to have leftovers going into the new year. I love [this steamed whole fish recipe](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-steamed-whole-fish-new-year-recipe), similar to my mother's, but with garlic and fermented black beans added for even more flavor.\n\nOne final dish that I love to have on the New Year's table is [mushrooms with tofu and mustard green](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/mushrooms-tofu-chinese-mustard-greens-recipe). It's a vegetarian dish that's my own spin on a classic New Year's offering: abalone with dried oysters and shiitake. Mine doesn't have seafood like the original, but I promise it's just as tasty.\n\nFor more ideas, take a look [at these great appetizers for a Chinese New Year feast](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods).\n\nTraditions, superstitions, and food may vary from one country and region to the next, but the important part of all these celebrations is family and friends. So make sure to decorate your space with a platter of citrus, wear something red or colorful, have a feast, and celebrate with family and friends you love.\n\n## Read More\n- [Eight Lucky Recipes to Ring in the Chinese New Year](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods)\n- [Mushrooms and Tofu With Chinese Mustard Greens](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/mushrooms-tofu-chinese-mustard-greens-recipe)\n- [Chinese Steamed Whole Fish With Fermented Black Beans and Garlic](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-steamed-whole-fish-new-year-recipe)\n- [Chinese Turnip Cake With Sausage, Bacon and Mushrooms (Law Bok Gow)](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-turnip-daikon-radish-cake-law-bock-gow-recipe)\n### February 2015\n\nExplore more:\n\n- [World Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/world-cuisine-guides-5117177)\n- [Asian Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/asian-cuisine-guides-5117164)\n- [East Asian Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/east-asian-cuisine-guides-5117162)\n- [Chinese Cuisine](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-cuisine-guides-5117161)\n\n#### More Serious Eats Recipes\n[![Mid-autumn festival feast]() ![Mid-autumn festival feast](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/7KdL8qbVHQhOL5ZqQeBVHXvV2Zs=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__09__20150919-midautumnfeast-fiona-reilly-20150919-midautumnfeast-header2-fiona-reilly-48d741c081a946c08990b3205c187861.jpg) How to Host a Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Feast](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/mid-autumn-festival-feast)\n\n[![20150803-jianbing4-reilly.jpg]() ![20150803-jianbing4-reilly.jpg](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/sGYFOwN9xMG75leiobYa0FOLrKA=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__08__20150803-jianbing4-reilly-b521dea5783e4757bbe49c4438963191.jpg) Why Jianbing is China's Most Popular Street Breakfast](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/jianbing-chinese-savory-breakfast-crepe)\n\n[![Two plated dishes of tomato and egg with rice on a grey, textured background]() ![Two plated dishes of tomato and egg with rice on a grey, textured background](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/dMLlq9cc6wosnUJmyUN7zU41hXc=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/20220228-tomato-egg-vicky-wasik-37-6b5330fb0fbb40dc9a356ba2635738b9.jpg) Chinese Scrambled Eggs With Tomato Recipe](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-tomato-scrambled-egg-recipe-5218069)\n\n[![An assortment of different varieties of Chinese greens on five white plates. ]() ![An assortment of different varieties of Chinese greens on five white plates. ](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/707AYk28k_OVBpdAUuyDNDk4AnY=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2014__06__20140422-chinese-greens-01-01f559bf3e1143bfbca0c10092227bf2.jpg) Chinese Greens 101: Three Basic Cooking Techniques for Chinese Greens](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-greens-101-three-basic-cooking-techniques)\n\n[![20110417-dim-sum-primary.jpg]() ![20110417-dim-sum-primary.jpg](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/WMuBd9jQOMbPuG2g5oi7rO_GUw4=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__20110417-dim-sum-primary-d0459fb3eab14fd795e49f193df7d286.jpg) The Serious Eats Guide to Dim Sum](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/guide-to-dim-sum-dumplings-siu-mai-bao-chinese-steamed-buns)\n\n[![Ebichiri shrimp served on a black round plate.]() ![Ebichiri shrimp served on a black round plate.](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/oVgfV58KGpkGN5MTlVEdXpY-vJ0=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/20220511-Ebichiri-Amanda-Suarez-_14-93996e7cc3e54a8682f6212a5c7eb506.JPG) Ebi no Chiri-Sōsu (Japanese Shrimp in Chile Sauce) Recipe](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/ebichiri-japanese-shrimp-chile-sauce-recipe-5218073)\n\n[![20140519-dragon-well-5.jpg]() ![20140519-dragon-well-5.jpg](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/hbiD6nyMv9bqrcgBs6bHTvJllj8=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2014__05__20140519-dragon-well-5-4f0caee1a3444a0fa1e922b2cb160884.jpg) The Tea Cup and the Dragon: Secrets of China's Favorite Green Tea](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/dragon-well-longjing-tea)\n\n[![20140328-general-tsos-chicken-recipe-food-lab-primary.jpg]() ![20140328-general-tsos-chicken-recipe-food-lab-primary.jpg](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/O8zElSGAYH2EN5ZlWAbchvyN61s=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2014__04__20140328-general-tsos-chicken-recipe-food-lab-primary-6924cc485991416fb6b03e88c32480c4.jpg) Ask a Cicerone: The Best Beers for Chinese Food](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-food-best-beer-pairing)\n\n[![20140625-chengdu-gongbao-jiding-1.jpg]() 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Introduction to Water-Velveting](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-velveting-101-introduction-water-velveting)\n\n[![Garlic, Ginger, and Scallions cooking in a wok. ]() ![Garlic, Ginger, and Scallions cooking in a wok. ](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/GbNd3JAzoQmeGpilQvx20oR_RPY=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2014__06__20140617-stir-fry-tripe-with-pickled-mustard-greens-and-fermented-black-beans-shao-zhong-12-b974b41a59a14b7dbd7fd581ca3283a7.jpg) Chinese Aromatics 101: The Mild and Aromatic Ginger, Scallion, and Garlic Flavor Base](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-aromatics-101-mild-ginger-scallion-garlic)\n\n[![]() 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to Know Sichuan's \"Strange Flavor\" With Fuchsia Dunlop](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/sichuan-chinese-strange-flavor-fuchsia-dunlop)\n\n[![20191022-fuchsia-dunlop-sichuan-cooking-shoot-vicky-wasik-beef-8]() ![20191022-fuchsia-dunlop-sichuan-cooking-shoot-vicky-wasik-beef-8](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/thmb\/wYHa6kHTWIMk1ucoASy52jm4s3k=\/375x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2019__10__20191022-fuchsia-dunlop-sichuan-cooking-shoot-vicky-wasik-beef-8-32cfddbdfdfe49afa8f5b65aeafbabd8.jpg) Get to Know Málà, Sichuan Food's Most Famous Flavor](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/mala-sichuan-hot-and-numbing)\n\n[![20140625-chengdu-gongbao-jiding-1.jpg]() 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deal alerts, and more\\!\n\n- [Recipes](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/all-recipes-5117985)\n- [How-Tos](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/how-tos-5118034)\n- [World Cuisines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/world-cuisine-guides-5117177)\n- [Ingredients](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/ingredients-guides-5118013)\n- [Equipment](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/equipment-5117081)\n- [Features](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/features-5118040)\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/about-us-5120006)\n- [Advertise](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/advertising)\n- [Terms of Service](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/brands-termsofservice)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/careers)\n- [Editorial Guidelines](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/about-us-5120006#toc-recipe-development-and-testing)\n- [Sweepstakes](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/sweepstakes)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/about-us-5120006#toc-contact-us)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/brands-privacy)\n\nSerious Eats is part of the [People Inc.](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/) publishing family.\n\nMyrecipes Dialog","attrs_readable_markdown":"This Friday, February 12, is Lunar New Year or, as I like to call it, Thanksgiving *part deux*. Sure, it kicks off the new year but, like Thanksgiving, it's really about having family come together and celebrate with lots of good food. The holiday itself is observed in many countries throughout Asia, from Korea to China to Vietnam, and each has slightly different traditions. Here are a few of the practices most common in China (because traditions vary from region to region, it's far from an exhaustive list, though).\n\n## Preparing for the Lunar New Year\n### Clean Your Home\nShao Z.\n\nGiving your home a good cleaning a day or two before the New Year is a common practice. New Year's day itself is all about celebrating, so no cleaning should be done then. Decorations should be in bright, cheerful colors. Citruses such as tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are set on a platter and put on display—they symbolize prosperity and good luck.\n\n### Set Out Sweet Snacks\nIn Chinese families, there's usually a red platter filled with dried sweet fruits such as lotus seeds, lotus root, melon seeds, and coconut, and families and friends who visit the house are encouraged to enjoy them. My mom would also always place two red envelopes on the platter as colorful decoration.\n\n## Superstitions\nEvery culture has them, and during the Lunar New Year it's even more important to know what they are. In general, it's bad luck to mention death, pain, debt, and basically anything else that's unpleasant. On the flip side, it's good to dress up in cheerful colors, like red, and new clothing. In Chinese culture, it's bad luck to wash your hair the day of the New Year, so shampooing must be done the night before. Also, there should be no yelling and shouting, so keep those tempers in check! Nobody wants to start the new year with a fight.\n\n## The Food\nShao Z.\n\nNow that we've covered all that other stuff, let's get to what we're really interested in: the food\\!\n\nMealtime is one of the most important parts of the Lunar New Year celebrations. But unlike the turkey served for Thanksgiving, there really isn't one main dish that defines the Lunar New Year. We have some [popular recipes for the Chinese Lunar New Year](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods) if you want to get cooking right away, but it's worth noting that different countries serve different cuisines, and different regions, specifically in China, also have their own local dishes for the celebration.\n\nDumplings wrapped with wheat flour wrappers are a popular item for Northern Chinese families, while in the Southern regions and Hong Kong, families tend to make [turnip cake (law bok gow)](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/how-to-make-chinese-turnip-cake-law-bock-gow), a savory and wonderfully glutinous dish that's made with daikon radish and studded with various types of pork and shrimp. Rice cake, meanwhile, is popular in both Korea and China during the New Year. In China, depending on what region you're in, rice cake could be white or amber in color, and either steamed or stir-fried.\n\nIf anything, whole fish is the most common sight, and it's often a centerpiece of the [New Year table](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/good-luck-food-new-year-pork-sauerkraut-lentil-herring-collards-hoppin-john)—especially at Reunion dinner, which is held on New Year's eve. My mom used to make two simple, steamed whole fish that she'd top with scallions, ginger, and cilantro; one we'd eat for Reunion dinner, the other would be leftovers for New Year's day—it was considered good luck to have leftovers going into the new year. I love [this steamed whole fish recipe](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-steamed-whole-fish-new-year-recipe), similar to my mother's, but with garlic and fermented black beans added for even more flavor.\n\nOne final dish that I love to have on the New Year's table is [mushrooms with tofu and mustard green](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/mushrooms-tofu-chinese-mustard-greens-recipe). It's a vegetarian dish that's my own spin on a classic New Year's offering: abalone with dried oysters and shiitake. Mine doesn't have seafood like the original, but I promise it's just as tasty.\n\nFor more ideas, take a look [at these great appetizers for a Chinese New Year feast](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods).\n\nTraditions, superstitions, and food may vary from one country and region to the next, but the important part of all these celebrations is family and friends. So make sure to decorate your space with a platter of citrus, wear something red or colorful, have a feast, and celebrate with family and friends you love.\n\n## Read More\n- [Eight Lucky Recipes to Ring in the Chinese New Year](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods)\n- [Mushrooms and Tofu With Chinese Mustard Greens](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/mushrooms-tofu-chinese-mustard-greens-recipe)\n- [Chinese Steamed Whole Fish With Fermented Black Beans and Garlic](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-steamed-whole-fish-new-year-recipe)\n- [Chinese Turnip Cake With Sausage, Bacon and Mushrooms (Law Bok Gow)](https:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/chinese-turnip-daikon-radish-cake-law-bock-gow-recipe)\n\nFebruary 2015","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	This Friday, February 12, is Lunar New Year or, as I like to call it, Thanksgiving part deux . Sure, it kicks off the new year but, like Thanksgiving, it's really about having family come together and celebrate with lots of good food. The holiday itself is observed in many countries throughout Asia, from Korea to China to Vietnam, and each has slightly different traditions. Here are a few of the practices most common in China (because traditions vary from region to region, it's far from an exhaustive list, though). Preparing for the Lunar New Year Clean Your Home Shao Z. Giving your home a good cleaning a day or two before the New Year is a common practice. New Year's day itself is all about celebrating, so no cleaning should be done then. Decorations should be in bright, cheerful colors. Citruses such as tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are set on a platter and put on display—they symbolize prosperity and good luck. Set Out Sweet Snacks In Chinese families, there's usually a red platter filled with dried sweet fruits such as lotus seeds, lotus root, melon seeds, and coconut, and families and friends who visit the house are encouraged to enjoy them. My mom would also always place two red envelopes on the platter as colorful decoration. Superstitions Every culture has them, and during the Lunar New Year it's even more important to know what they are. In general, it's bad luck to mention death, pain, debt, and basically anything else that's unpleasant. On the flip side, it's good to dress up in cheerful colors, like red, and new clothing. In Chinese culture, it's bad luck to wash your hair the day of the New Year, so shampooing must be done the night before. Also, there should be no yelling and shouting, so keep those tempers in check! Nobody wants to start the new year with a fight. The Food Shao Z. Now that we've covered all that other stuff, let's get to what we're really interested in: the food! Mealtime is one of the most important parts of the Lunar New Year celebrations. But unlike the turkey served for Thanksgiving, there really isn't one main dish that defines the Lunar New Year. We have some popular recipes for the Chinese Lunar New Year if you want to get cooking right away, but it's worth noting that different countries serve different cuisines, and different regions, specifically in China, also have their own local dishes for the celebration. Dumplings wrapped with wheat flour wrappers are a popular item for Northern Chinese families, while in the Southern regions and Hong Kong, families tend to make turnip cake (law bok gow) , a savory and wonderfully glutinous dish that's made with daikon radish and studded with various types of pork and shrimp. Rice cake, meanwhile, is popular in both Korea and China during the New Year. In China, depending on what region you're in, rice cake could be white or amber in color, and either steamed or stir-fried. If anything, whole fish is the most common sight, and it's often a centerpiece of the New Year table —especially at Reunion dinner, which is held on New Year's eve. My mom used to make two simple, steamed whole fish that she'd top with scallions, ginger, and cilantro; one we'd eat for Reunion dinner, the other would be leftovers for New Year's day—it was considered good luck to have leftovers going into the new year. I love this steamed whole fish recipe , similar to my mother's, but with garlic and fermented black beans added for even more flavor. One final dish that I love to have on the New Year's table is mushrooms with tofu and mustard green . It's a vegetarian dish that's my own spin on a classic New Year's offering: abalone with dried oysters and shiitake. Mine doesn't have seafood like the original, but I promise it's just as tasty. For more ideas, take a look at these great appetizers for a Chinese New Year feast . Traditions, superstitions, and food may vary from one country and region to the next, but the important part of all these celebrations is family and friends. So make sure to decorate your space with a platter of citrus, wear something red or colorful, have a feast, and celebrate with family and friends you love. Read More Eight Lucky Recipes to Ring in the Chinese New Year Mushrooms and Tofu With Chinese Mustard Greens Chinese Steamed Whole Fish With Fermented Black Beans and Garlic Chinese Turnip Cake With Sausage, Bacon and Mushrooms (Law Bok Gow) February 2015
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Save your favorites on MyRecipes for free](https://www.myrecipes.com/authentication/login?regSource=p1z6s1&isMyrecipes=true&utm_source=seriouseats&utm_medium=sitewidebanner) # A Guide to Celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year at Home Want to celebrate Chinese New Year? Here's how, from party prep to recipes. By [Shao Z.](https://www.seriouseats.com/shao-z-5118993) ![Shao Zhi Zhong is a contributing writer at Serious Eats. ]() ![Shao Zhi Zhong is a contributing writer at Serious Eats. ](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/VsEWvzso8B_DpgkSonImNcvB9Q0=/200x200/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__mt-static__support__uploads__profile_2-97795df7fb024ec59278b0e48d1e9140.png) [Shao Z.](https://www.seriouseats.com/shao-z-5118993) Shao Zhi Zhong is a Chinese-born and Philadelphia-raised food writer and recipe developer who specializes in Chinese home cooking. She's also a web designer. Learn about Serious Eats' [Editorial Process](https://www.seriouseats.com/about-us-5120006#toc-editorial-guidelines) Updated January 20, 2023 Close ![20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/FoNT6xx6Y9z2iFkYt7hWnvvKEtg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__02__20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7-7578122625344ea18a3a99ef0f2f2ad5.jpg) ![20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/FoNT6xx6Y9z2iFkYt7hWnvvKEtg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__02__20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7-7578122625344ea18a3a99ef0f2f2ad5.jpg) Shao Z. In This Article Expand - [Preparing for the Lunar New Year](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide#toc-preparing-for-the-lunar-new-year) - [Lunar New Year Superstitions](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide#toc-superstitions) - [Lunar New Year Food](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide#toc-the-food) - [Some Lunar New Year Recipes](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-lunar-new-year-guide#toc-read-more) This Friday, February 12, is Lunar New Year or, as I like to call it, Thanksgiving part deux. Sure, it kicks off the new year but, like Thanksgiving, it's really about having family come together and celebrate with lots of good food. The holiday itself is observed in many countries throughout Asia, from Korea to China to Vietnam, and each has slightly different traditions. Here are a few of the practices most common in China (because traditions vary from region to region, it's far from an exhaustive list, though). ## Preparing for the Lunar New Year ### Clean Your Home ![20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7.jpg]() ![20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/FoNT6xx6Y9z2iFkYt7hWnvvKEtg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__02__20150213-steamed-fish-fermented-black-beans-garlic-shao-zhong-7-7578122625344ea18a3a99ef0f2f2ad5.jpg) Shao Z. Giving your home a good cleaning a day or two before the New Year is a common practice. New Year's day itself is all about celebrating, so no cleaning should be done then. Decorations should be in bright, cheerful colors. Citruses such as tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are set on a platter and put on display—they symbolize prosperity and good luck. ### Set Out Sweet Snacks In Chinese families, there's usually a red platter filled with dried sweet fruits such as lotus seeds, lotus root, melon seeds, and coconut, and families and friends who visit the house are encouraged to enjoy them. My mom would also always place two red envelopes on the platter as colorful decoration. ## Superstitions Every culture has them, and during the Lunar New Year it's even more important to know what they are. In general, it's bad luck to mention death, pain, debt, and basically anything else that's unpleasant. On the flip side, it's good to dress up in cheerful colors, like red, and new clothing. In Chinese culture, it's bad luck to wash your hair the day of the New Year, so shampooing must be done the night before. Also, there should be no yelling and shouting, so keep those tempers in check! Nobody wants to start the new year with a fight. ## The Food ![20150206-braised-tofu-mushrooms-shao-z-8.jpg]() ![20150206-braised-tofu-mushrooms-shao-z-8.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/Ei9WscqR4MDXuI5wR4S0p5Eg-XI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__02__20150206-braised-tofu-mushrooms-shao-z-8-79a2a34100574198af5729e977ec2e47.jpg) Shao Z. Now that we've covered all that other stuff, let's get to what we're really interested in: the food\! Mealtime is one of the most important parts of the Lunar New Year celebrations. But unlike the turkey served for Thanksgiving, there really isn't one main dish that defines the Lunar New Year. We have some [popular recipes for the Chinese Lunar New Year](https://www.seriouseats.com/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods) if you want to get cooking right away, but it's worth noting that different countries serve different cuisines, and different regions, specifically in China, also have their own local dishes for the celebration. Dumplings wrapped with wheat flour wrappers are a popular item for Northern Chinese families, while in the Southern regions and Hong Kong, families tend to make [turnip cake (law bok gow)](https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-make-chinese-turnip-cake-law-bock-gow), a savory and wonderfully glutinous dish that's made with daikon radish and studded with various types of pork and shrimp. Rice cake, meanwhile, is popular in both Korea and China during the New Year. In China, depending on what region you're in, rice cake could be white or amber in color, and either steamed or stir-fried. If anything, whole fish is the most common sight, and it's often a centerpiece of the [New Year table](https://www.seriouseats.com/good-luck-food-new-year-pork-sauerkraut-lentil-herring-collards-hoppin-john)—especially at Reunion dinner, which is held on New Year's eve. My mom used to make two simple, steamed whole fish that she'd top with scallions, ginger, and cilantro; one we'd eat for Reunion dinner, the other would be leftovers for New Year's day—it was considered good luck to have leftovers going into the new year. I love [this steamed whole fish recipe](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-steamed-whole-fish-new-year-recipe), similar to my mother's, but with garlic and fermented black beans added for even more flavor. One final dish that I love to have on the New Year's table is [mushrooms with tofu and mustard green](https://www.seriouseats.com/mushrooms-tofu-chinese-mustard-greens-recipe). It's a vegetarian dish that's my own spin on a classic New Year's offering: abalone with dried oysters and shiitake. Mine doesn't have seafood like the original, but I promise it's just as tasty. For more ideas, take a look [at these great appetizers for a Chinese New Year feast](https://www.seriouseats.com/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods). Traditions, superstitions, and food may vary from one country and region to the next, but the important part of all these celebrations is family and friends. So make sure to decorate your space with a platter of citrus, wear something red or colorful, have a feast, and celebrate with family and friends you love. ## Read More - [Eight Lucky Recipes to Ring in the Chinese New Year](https://www.seriouseats.com/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods) - [Mushrooms and Tofu With Chinese Mustard Greens](https://www.seriouseats.com/mushrooms-tofu-chinese-mustard-greens-recipe) - [Chinese Steamed Whole Fish With Fermented Black Beans and Garlic](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-steamed-whole-fish-new-year-recipe) - [Chinese Turnip Cake With Sausage, Bacon and Mushrooms (Law Bok Gow)](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-turnip-daikon-radish-cake-law-bock-gow-recipe) ### February 2015 Explore more: - [World Cuisines](https://www.seriouseats.com/world-cuisine-guides-5117177) - [Asian Cuisines](https://www.seriouseats.com/asian-cuisine-guides-5117164) - [East Asian Cuisines](https://www.seriouseats.com/east-asian-cuisine-guides-5117162) - [Chinese Cuisine](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-cuisine-guides-5117161) #### More Serious Eats Recipes [![Mid-autumn festival feast]() ![Mid-autumn festival feast](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/7KdL8qbVHQhOL5ZqQeBVHXvV2Zs=/375x250/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__09__20150919-midautumnfeast-fiona-reilly-20150919-midautumnfeast-header2-fiona-reilly-48d741c081a946c08990b3205c187861.jpg) How to Host a Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Feast](https://www.seriouseats.com/mid-autumn-festival-feast) [![20150803-jianbing4-reilly.jpg]() ![20150803-jianbing4-reilly.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/sGYFOwN9xMG75leiobYa0FOLrKA=/375x250/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2015__08__20150803-jianbing4-reilly-b521dea5783e4757bbe49c4438963191.jpg) Why Jianbing is 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Myrecipes Dialog
Readable Markdown	This Friday, February 12, is Lunar New Year or, as I like to call it, Thanksgiving part deux. Sure, it kicks off the new year but, like Thanksgiving, it's really about having family come together and celebrate with lots of good food. The holiday itself is observed in many countries throughout Asia, from Korea to China to Vietnam, and each has slightly different traditions. Here are a few of the practices most common in China (because traditions vary from region to region, it's far from an exhaustive list, though). ## Preparing for the Lunar New Year ### Clean Your Home Shao Z. Giving your home a good cleaning a day or two before the New Year is a common practice. New Year's day itself is all about celebrating, so no cleaning should be done then. Decorations should be in bright, cheerful colors. Citruses such as tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are set on a platter and put on display—they symbolize prosperity and good luck. ### Set Out Sweet Snacks In Chinese families, there's usually a red platter filled with dried sweet fruits such as lotus seeds, lotus root, melon seeds, and coconut, and families and friends who visit the house are encouraged to enjoy them. My mom would also always place two red envelopes on the platter as colorful decoration. ## Superstitions Every culture has them, and during the Lunar New Year it's even more important to know what they are. In general, it's bad luck to mention death, pain, debt, and basically anything else that's unpleasant. On the flip side, it's good to dress up in cheerful colors, like red, and new clothing. In Chinese culture, it's bad luck to wash your hair the day of the New Year, so shampooing must be done the night before. Also, there should be no yelling and shouting, so keep those tempers in check! Nobody wants to start the new year with a fight. ## The Food Shao Z. Now that we've covered all that other stuff, let's get to what we're really interested in: the food\! Mealtime is one of the most important parts of the Lunar New Year celebrations. But unlike the turkey served for Thanksgiving, there really isn't one main dish that defines the Lunar New Year. We have some [popular recipes for the Chinese Lunar New Year](https://www.seriouseats.com/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods) if you want to get cooking right away, but it's worth noting that different countries serve different cuisines, and different regions, specifically in China, also have their own local dishes for the celebration. Dumplings wrapped with wheat flour wrappers are a popular item for Northern Chinese families, while in the Southern regions and Hong Kong, families tend to make [turnip cake (law bok gow)](https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-make-chinese-turnip-cake-law-bock-gow), a savory and wonderfully glutinous dish that's made with daikon radish and studded with various types of pork and shrimp. Rice cake, meanwhile, is popular in both Korea and China during the New Year. In China, depending on what region you're in, rice cake could be white or amber in color, and either steamed or stir-fried. If anything, whole fish is the most common sight, and it's often a centerpiece of the [New Year table](https://www.seriouseats.com/good-luck-food-new-year-pork-sauerkraut-lentil-herring-collards-hoppin-john)—especially at Reunion dinner, which is held on New Year's eve. My mom used to make two simple, steamed whole fish that she'd top with scallions, ginger, and cilantro; one we'd eat for Reunion dinner, the other would be leftovers for New Year's day—it was considered good luck to have leftovers going into the new year. I love [this steamed whole fish recipe](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-steamed-whole-fish-new-year-recipe), similar to my mother's, but with garlic and fermented black beans added for even more flavor. One final dish that I love to have on the New Year's table is [mushrooms with tofu and mustard green](https://www.seriouseats.com/mushrooms-tofu-chinese-mustard-greens-recipe). It's a vegetarian dish that's my own spin on a classic New Year's offering: abalone with dried oysters and shiitake. Mine doesn't have seafood like the original, but I promise it's just as tasty. For more ideas, take a look [at these great appetizers for a Chinese New Year feast](https://www.seriouseats.com/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods). Traditions, superstitions, and food may vary from one country and region to the next, but the important part of all these celebrations is family and friends. So make sure to decorate your space with a platter of citrus, wear something red or colorful, have a feast, and celebrate with family and friends you love. ## Read More - [Eight Lucky Recipes to Ring in the Chinese New Year](https://www.seriouseats.com/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods) - [Mushrooms and Tofu With Chinese Mustard Greens](https://www.seriouseats.com/mushrooms-tofu-chinese-mustard-greens-recipe) - [Chinese Steamed Whole Fish With Fermented Black Beans and Garlic](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-steamed-whole-fish-new-year-recipe) - [Chinese Turnip Cake With Sausage, Bacon and Mushrooms (Law Bok Gow)](https://www.seriouseats.com/chinese-turnip-daikon-radish-cake-law-bock-gow-recipe) February 2015
Shard	43 (laksa)
Root Hash	3385208949286065243
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