Chinese Wedding Banquet: Palatable Dishes and Symbolisms
Bǎi nián hǎo hé.
May you have a harmonious union that lasts.
China is known to have one of the most diverse and oldest cultures in the world, tracking back to thousands of years ago.
Chinese culture has important components which include religion, philosophy, architecture, literature, martial arts, and cuisine.
Chinese people religiously observe their culture and traditions to uphold their historic identity.
Growing up in this Asian country means celebrating its culture in almost all significant occasions and events. Name all the Chinese holidays and you will see a cultural manifestation from the time of planning and implementation.
Most people would agree that if there is a big celebration, one thing should never be forgotten — food.
If you attend birthdays, congratulatory parties, and other gatherings, delectable dishes will warmly welcome you.
Chinese weddings are one example of which culture and traditional practices are observed. From the betrothal, wedding date, tea ceremony, choosing of the dress and suit for the bride and groom, down to the wedding banquet, everything is culturally grounded.
Among all parts of the union, the Chinese wedding banquet is one of the most awaited highlights. This is where the couple’s parents prepare the most as a way of showing their support to the married life of the newlyweds.
A slideshow of the couple’s childhood photos will be played while a number of popular Chinese dishes will be served to all the guests.
As everyone around the world knows, Chinese food recipes are some of the most popular in the world because of the variety of flavors and symbolism behind every dish; apparently, these are also served in most weddings in China.
Now, learn the meaning behind the following Chinese foods and how to prepare them.
Dim sum
Dim sum is believed to have originated in southern China’s Guangdong region before reaching its way to Hong Kong.
It is a wide range of small dish pieces that Cantonese people enjoy eating during breakfast and lunch. It is sometimes referred to as Chinese appetizers.
This dish is usually served in a small bamboo-made steamer basket or plate. You can prepare this dish in many different ways and have it served savory, sweet, steamed, baked, or fried.
Symbolism:
Dim sum is universally translated as “touch the heart.”
Some of these are in the form of buns with sweet lotus or sesame paste. The sweetness symbolizes a joyful marriage, while its sticky texture reflects the couple sticking together for the rest of their lives.
Peking duck
The peking duck originated in Beijing, and has been served and prepared since the Imperial era. This dish is popular for its thin and crispy skin and is usually served with sweet plum dip, spring onions, and thin steam flour wraps.
Symbolism:
This is a common sign of fidelity in Chinese culture. It also symbolizes joy and celebration. The red skin of the duck speaks for happiness. When served whole, it signifies peace, unity, and completeness.
Chow mein
Chow mein refers to Chinese stir-fried noodles mixed with a variety of vegetables and sometimes, meat or tofu. This dish is apparently an Asian staple food.
One of the best versions of this is the Cantonese chow mein. This is also known as Hong Kong style chow mein and crispy chow mein.
This is prepared with a bottom layer of crispy fried noodles, topped with vegetables and meat (or seafood), marinated in a thick sauce. People love this because of its texture.
This is best partnered with a fried rice meal.
Symbolism:
This dish is a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture. When served in a wedding reception, it symbolizes the blessing of a long and happy marriage.
Kung Pao chicken
Kung Pao chicken originated in Sichuan Province in southwestern China and is also known as Gong Bai or Kung Po.
This is a stir-fried Chinese dish mixed with chicken cubes, peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers.
Symbolism:
The chicken itself is a representation of a mythical bird, the phoenix. With its usual pairing with a dragon (lobster), these two creatures in Chinese mythology represent the union of male and female, or the yin and yang energy.
Shark fin soup
Shark fin soup is a traditional dish in Chinese cuisine which provides a texture that is perfectly mixed with the different flavors of other soup ingredients. The soup is made from chicken or pork broth because the actual shark fin has no flavor at all.
This is commonly served in special occasions such as weddings and other banquets. Sometimes, this is labeled as a luxurious item.
This soup is usually served right after the appetizers.
Symbolism:
Shark fin soup is a symbolism of wealth, power, and generosity.
Abalone and Sea cucumber
Abalone and sea cucumber in one plate takes a long process before being served to the guests. Traditionally, it takes a 4-day preparation before getting the perfect abalone and sea cucumber dish.
At present, boiling and draining the sea cucumber is the first step, with the other ingredients prepared on the side, ready for boiling too.
Mixing all the ingredients with the other seasonings, except for abalone sauce, comes next for the sea cucumber to absorb the flavor.
Symbolism:
These seafood dishes have favorable-sounding names. Abalone, in Mandarin, sounds like the word abundance, while sea cucumber sounds like the term for a good heart.
These dishes represent the wish for a couple to have abundant good feelings and to think in a similar way in order to avoid conflict.
Uphold Tradition and Enjoy Your Wedding Celebration the Chinese Way
All Chinese couples who plan for their grand and perfect wedding need to adhere to the importance of Chinese culture.
Every wedding celebration in China is a manifestation of how impactful their culture is from the past years up until the present time.
Regardless of the modernization of the world, culture and traditional practices should not be taken away in every part of the wedding preparations, and dishes are not an exception.
After a long day of wedding ceremonies, all will end up enjoying and savoring the mouthwatering foods served in a Chinese wedding banquet.
