Blog

By Eleanor Wong

Halloween is quickly becoming a real cause for occasion here in the UK. In my youth we pulled on a bin bag and a black hat and off we went round the cul-de-sac with our plastic bags open yelling ‘Trick or Treat’ at anybody behind a door with a single pumpkin glowing with a menacing smile.

Pumpkins with Menacing Smiles (source: https://cityofharrah.com/tag/trick-or-treat/)

Eleanor Wong

As we approach a time for celebration for many East Asian countries, I’m taking a look at how we can celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn festival.

This year the celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Monday 6th October; Always the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar with a full moon at night.

A day to celebrate, give thanks and worship the moon in all it’s glory. Families gather in celebration with lanterns and watch Fire Dragon dances…..in Hong Kong the famous Tai Hang Fire Dragon dance sees a 67 metre long dragon wind it’s way through the streets, including narrow alleyways, whilst covered in burning incense sticks. What started out as a 19th Century way of warding off the plague, has now become a Mid-Autumn much loved tradition.

Eleanor Wong

As we approach the end of the year of the Dragon, we look forward to welcoming in the year of the Snake; the sixth sign of the Chinese zodiac.

If the Snake is your Chinese zodiac animal, then you might be a determined, smart and mysterious character. Snakes are good at talking and are great thinkers. They are loyal and logical and can develop deep relationships with others. Although, they can show quite the jealous streak and can be a little indecisive. At times you may be impatient and find you prefer to be alone. Snakes are opportunistic, wise and naturally attract wealth.

By Eleanor Wong

As more and more people take the plunge into a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, never has this genre of food been more exciting or inventive.

It seems, on most part, gone are the days of the two standard choices of cauliflower curry or baked aubergine! More and more menus in pubs and restaurants all over the country are embracing a wider, much more enticing variety of vegan and vegetarian options.

Yet, still I hear my vegan and vegetarian friends complain that you can’t get good vegan Chinese food. I feel like they must have been looking in all the wrong places. The choice of vegan and vegetarian Chinese food at places like Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant in the heart of Birmingham’s China Town is vast, original and super exciting!

Get ready for a fun-filled day at the Birmingham Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 on Sunday 15th September!

Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant is excited to invite you and your family to celebrate this special event with us. 

What’s the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a time when families gather to celebrate the full moon, share tasty mooncakes, and enjoy lots of fun activities. It’s one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, and it’s all about family, togetherness, and traditions.

By Eleanor Wong 

Cheung Fun !

A fantastic addition to your steamed dim sum table is the popular and delicious Cheung fun; rice noodle roll. Large rice noodle wrapped around a huge variety of fillings and dipped into spicy, sweet or sour sauces, depending on your tastes or where you are in the world.

This simple but tasty dish originated in the Guangdong Province of Southern China but has since travelled and been adapted by many countries, who have made it their own. In Maylasia you’ll often find your ‘chee cheung fun’; called so due to its appearance to a pig intestine, served with shrimp paste. In Maylasia and Singapore it’s regularly eaten as part of the breakfast meal.

By Eleanor Wong

Steamed Dim Sum

If you grew up like I did, where the Chinese food you ate was great, but very much catered for a ‘western palate’; focusing on the fried element in their starter menu, then you may not be aware of the great number of soft, juicy steamed dim sum out there waiting to be devoured!

“I love Chinese food”….a statement I have said so many times growing up. When in fact my limited experience and the limited choices I made (spring rolls, sweet and sour chicken, egg fried rice) meant that I had not even begun to sample the vast array of flavours and textures this cuisine has to offer.

Dim sum or small snacks are traditionally most commonly eaten at lunch time. Lots of little plates or baskets of yummy dumplings, rolls and small plates are served to the table and everyone digs in for a try of everything. In one sitting your palate gets to experience salty, sweet, spicy, sour deliciousness from a variety of different dishes.