Food has been an essential part of my life. It also is a huge part in Chinese culture as well.
Ever since I was born, I was introduced to learning how to make many well-known Chinese dishes, as well as creating them.
For instance, here is a video of me and a couple of other friends making Chinese wontons:
Wontons or dumplings are important to Chinese culture such that they are not only tasty, but they also are an essential part of Chinese holidays and traditions.
In addition to being super customizable in how you make them, wontons usually mean a lot of good fortune and luck. Not only will a lot of people join in on making them in hopes of receiving good luck, it also is a time where many can come together and reconnect before the holiday happens.
There are many traditions that are also associated with eating wontons or dumplings during the Lunar New Year. For example, during Chinese New Year, if you bite down on a coin while eating your wonton, it usually means that you will receive immense fortune within this next coming year. While this does not mean that you will really receive a lot of money or fortune during the upcoming year, it is one such tradition that continues to last for centuries.
Another example of food that I have been able to enjoy is chow mein. Here is a recipe on how to make them:
Chow mein is another beloved Chinese dish that many can enjoy. Not only is it very easy and simple to make, but it is also very customizable to eat as well. But the meanings behind the dish extend even to Chinese culture, back when Emperor Wu introduced them during the Han Dynasty.
Noodles for Chinese culture usually mean a sign of longevity. As noodles are derived from the word “面”, they are typically eaten during significant events throughout the year. For instance, it is very common for people to eat noodles during their birthdays in hopes of increasing one’s longevity to living a happy and joyful life.
So how does this help me find out more of my Chinese culture?
Not only do I continue to make and eat them all of the time, I never really thought of the significance with what these dishes truly hold. For example, I had no idea that eating a coin within a wonton meant that I was going to receive good fortune(this is especially true because this happened to me one time). But now, when making these foods, I now see why these dishes are important to Chinese culture in general. For example, when I make these dishes during my annual family reunion, I can connect with my extended family that I have not seen in a while. I can teach my younger cousins how to make dumplings and have fun with them at the same time.
In addition to that, food is also something that is deeply roots all of my family together. It shows how generations of relatives and friends are able to pass down skills for people like me can enjoy for many years. Just being able to make wontons with my aunt- for example- is super neat, and every time I am with her, I can listen to new stories and connect her while making something that we can enjoy together. Or, if I am with my mom, I can learn how she can make noodles and try to see if I can replicate them(though, my dad says that no one can beat my mom’s noodles).
Now, whenever I see my family during the Chinese holidays, I can enjoy my creations with my family in hopes of a brighter future ahead of me. As much as I cannot speak much Chinese in the first place, there is always that all of us can enjoy: food.
Works Cited:
Nagi. “Chow Mein.” RecipeTin Eats, RecipeTin Eats, 26 Oct. 2019, https://www.recipetineats.com/chicken-chow-mein/.
