A Merry Chinese Christmas

Most Chinese don’t celebrate Christmas for the same reasons as those of us in the UK, but they do make sure the day is enjoyed as a family with plenty of good food, gifts and symbols of good luck.

A Chinese Christmas involves and centres around food – and lots of it! The Chinese believe that running out of food while eating is bad luck, so it’s always in abundance.

The meal starts with appetizers, generally three or four dishes which often include sesame prawn toast or mixed vegetable soup, along with dumplings and spring rolls.

The main course is made up of several dishes such as Peking duck with different sauces, beef or chicken in oyster sauce and chicken chow mein.

After so many dishes, desserts are fairly simple and include fruit cocktails or sesame balls. Koi shaped jelly is also popular as Koi is a symbol of good luck.