2 minute read
Happy Lunar New Year
Asian cultures around the world celebrate the Lunar New Year with their own vibrant traditions.
Advertisement
In China, “Chunjié” is a large public celebration with dragon parades, lion dances and fireworks. In Vietnam, they celebrate “Tết Nguyên Đán” or “Tết” with bánh chưng (sticky rice cakes) and by visiting loved ones. In Malaysia, they enjoy yee sang, or raw fish and shredded vegetables known as “prosperity salad.” In Korea, they celebrate “Seollal” enjoying dishes like Dduk-Guk and playing games like Yut Nori. Even with distinct traditions, they all cherish family and wish one another prosperity during the Lunar New Year. Here’s how our teams are celebrating — two with celebrity chefs.
Celebrating Tét
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO UChicago Dining was thrilled to host critically acclaimed Chef Thai Dang for a Lunar New Year station takeover on February 1 and 2. The takeover at The Kitchen station of Woodlawn Dining Commons featured Chef Thai Dang’s four signature dishes. The fun options were Gỏi Đu Đủ, a salad of papaya with jerky and Tương ớtv (hot chili sauce), and Cánh gà chiên, his famous crispy chicken wings. For his main courses, Chef prepared Ga N” Ong, or five-spice chicken, and Cà Tím Nướng Mỡ Hành, a grilled eggplant dish with scallion and pickled shallot. “Celebrating Lunar New Year by sharing Vietnamese cuisine with the public is awesome,” he says.
Holiday Dishes
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Texas A&M Dining team partnered with Chef Jet Tila for their Lunar New Year celebrations on February 1. Chef Jet took over The Commons Dining Hall and Sbisa Dining Hall by sharing some of his favorite traditional dishes, including three steamed dumplings: Chicken Lemongrass, Kale and Vegetables, and Edamame. He also cooked up drunken noodles with beef, Szechuan green beans and egg rolls. Special shoutout to Schwan’s Company, whose delicious ingredients helped highlight his dishes.
Excited about the holiday, Chef Jet gave away autographed copies of his cookbook “101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before you Die” The Soaring Phoenix Lion and Dragon Dance Association ended the festivities with a traditional Lion Dance.
