Chinese New Year - Reunion Dinner

I always look forward to the extended family reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year. Although my family gathers practically every other month for some sort of celebration or other, the reunion dinner still has special meaning as it is a tradition that I have enjoyed since childhood.

 

Typically, my Mum, sister and I will have a simple reunion lunch at home, and then later join my late father's side of the family for dinner, followed by a visit to my Mum's side of the family thereafter. Since my grandparents' passing, the reunion dinner has been a potluck, ensuring that the tradition of having an abundance of dishes remains intact. My late grandparents, particularly my grandfather, were great cooks and would cook up a storm every Chinese New Year, but nowadays, a potluck seems a much better way of contributing to the merriment.

 

In all, twelve dishes were had, testament to the Wong family's penchant for food.

 

 

Reunion dinner at the Wongs.

Chinese New Year Eve

Chinese New Year Eve is all about the reunion dinner. Many travel far and wide to head home for this time of communion with family. It is the time of year where relationships are renewed, bonds strengthened. The significance of the reunion dinner has been inculcated in me since childhood and I've never missed one all my life.

My grandparents, when they were alive, would cook up a storm. Nowadays, we observe a 'pot luck' tradition. Still, the food is good, all eight dishes and charcoal-boiled soup.

In fact, I got to attend two reunion dinners this year. One, for my mother's side of the family on Saturday evening, the other for my paternal extended family on Sunday night, the former at a Chinese restaurant, the latter a home cooked meal. The best of both worlds really. My Mum, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, the important people in my life.

Photo of dishes served at the reunion dinner for my Dad's side of the family on Sunday evening.

Chinese New Year 2011 : Reunion Dinner

We always have a reunion dinner at the family home of my Father's side of the family come Chinese New Year. My late grandparents were avid chefs and would cook up a storm during such gatherings. They would insist of having ten dishes, all lovingly prepared for us to feast on.

We have in a way kept the tradition alive. Perhaps not ten dishes but as you can see here, eight ain't too shabby. Having a hearty home-cooked meal with family, particularly during this time of year, is something I look forward to. Some of the recipes have been handed down from my grandparents and they are special in their own way.

Family ties have always been paramount amongst most of my extended family and is very much evident during Chinese New Year. We come together to mark the conclusion of a year and the start of a better one, to celebrate the ties that bind us together as a family.

Photo of the spread during the reunion dinner.