Oh man! I hate writing about Chinese New Year. Well, I don’t hate it, but I find it extremely difficult. The cuisine is so rich and deep in history and there are so many traditional foods to eat during this time. Simply making a list of three or five things barely scratches the surface, so I’m just sticking to dumplings – arguably one of the most important and popular things to eat during Chinese New Year. From perogies to gyoza to ravioli to matzah balls, dumplings take different shape and form in every city and culture. Even within China and Chinese culture there are hundreds of different dumplings depending on the region.
In Vancouver, we are lucky to have an abundance of excellent Cantonese style dumplings. This is what you would find at dim sum, although they can be eaten for dinner, and if so likely in the context of home.
Dumplings symbolize wealth because they are shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, which are boat shaped. Traditionally they are made together as a family and eaten on New Year’s Eve at midnight, but nowadays it’s common to just have them at dim sum. If making them at home, sometimes people will stuff one with a clean coin, and whoever gets the lucky dumpling will prosper in the new year.
If you plan on going the traditional route and don’t mind waiting a long time for a table (although Chinese service is usually fast, so it might be quicker than you think), I recommend trying dumplings at Golden Paramount, Sea Harbour, Red Star Seafood, Empire Seafood, Jade Seafood, Fisherman’s Terrace or Neptune Seafood in Richmond. Yes, I tend to gravitate towards Chinese restaurants in Richmond and find they hold a very high standard.
If you want to have traditional, but get intimidated by the menu or don’t want to elbow your way for a table, then buy them and make them at home. It’s not really cheating especially if you buy them at Dinesty. Also located in Richmond in Continental Plaza, it’s an excellent spot to buy packaged handmade Shanghainese-style dumplings. You can see them being made on the spot and there are lots of varieties, the most popular being their signature pork soup dumplings. It’s under the umbrella of Dinesty, the popular dumpling restaurant with a location in Vancouver, too.
Lastly, if you want to go out, but rather do something modern and different then check out Bambudda’s Dumpling Festival, happening Feb. 18-22. Executive chef Curtis Luk is featuring a special dumpling menu symbolizing happiness (pan-seared oyster and chicken lettuce dumplings in ginger soy), longevity (steamed Szechuan scallop and black cod dumplings), prosperity (boiled pork and truffle dumplings served on egg noodles), peace (fried lamb cumin curry dumplings) and love (chocolate kumquat mochi dessert dumplings).
Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter @followmefoodie.
