Taste: Embrace the Year of the Snake
The Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations among the Chinese community. It is scheduled according to the ancient Chinese lunar calendar and marks the end of the coldest days as people look forward to new beginnings.
In China, the Lunar New Year celebration lasts 15 days from the new moon to the next full moon. In 2025, celebrations began January 29 and will end with the Lantern Festival on February 12. It’s a time for feasting and honoring deities and ancestors.
According to legend, a monster named Nian terrorized people until a brave boy chased him off using firecrackers. In addition to scaring off monsters, firecrackers ward off bad luck and they are a big part of the New Year celebration.
The color red, which symbolizes good fortune and joy, is found everywhere during Chinese New Year. The Chinese hang red lanterns and strings of chili peppers and people add new red clothing to their wardrobes for good luck. Households post red banners inscribed with messages of good health and fortune. Elders give red envelopes containing money to children.
Each year is represented by one of the 12 zodiac animals. This is the Year of the Snake. The Snake is regarded as a little dragon and symbolises the pursuit of love and happiness. The snake can also represent wealth, wisdom and longevity. Individuals born in the Year of the Snake exhibit resilient, courageous and positive personalities.
In China, houses are traditionally thoroughly cleaned to rid them of bad spirits collected during the old year, and to open space for goodwill and good luck.
Chinese traditions such as Lunar New Year are now celebrated in communities across the United States. The Texas Lunar Festival was scheduled for February 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Paper + Craft Pantry 1023 Springdale Road, 6A Austin. Dragon dance performances will be performed throughout the day.
“We will be celebrating with this family friendly event with a pop-up market featuring over 30+ vendors of Asian descent, local eats and drinks, lion + dragon dance performances throughout the day, and so much more fun activities,” the event post reads.
Austin’s Asian population has been growing rapidly and Chinatown Center was created to serve as a cultural hub. Chinatown Center presents more than 35 restaurants and shops to offer an authentic Asian experience.
The New Year dinner, when young people go back home to their parents house for a traditional feast, is the most important part of the celebration.
Since cultural diversity brings fun celebrations for all, I decided to host a Chinese New Year dinner.
Costco has been expanding its international food options and the warehouse chain offers a variety of Asian foods. NBC News reports “Asian Americans are nearly twice as likely to shop at Costco as the average consumer” due to “larger households and tendency to buy in bulk.”
Dumplings are popular in northern China and I purchased frozen potstickers. The crescent-shaped dumplings were pan-fried, resulting in a crispy outside and a soft and chewy minced meat filling. Our chicken and vegetable Ling Ling Potstickers were plump, juicy crowd pleasers.
In southern Asia, people eat spring rolls. Costco’s vegetarian option was prepared in the air fryer for extra crispness. Spring rolls are similar to egg rolls. The main difference is a smoother texture and lighter filling for the former. Egg rolls are considered an American variation of the spring roll.
Sticky rice, which symbolizes togetherness, was served as well as various dipping sauces. For dessert, we steamed Bao Panda Buns stuffed with custard. Yes, these too were from Costco. The cute little panda faced buns were appealing on the desert tray and got rave reviews.
Costco is known for its large quantities. When it comes to dumplings and spring rolls, the more the merrier. However, these purchases provided more than needed for our dinner. This excess inspired us to host a second dinner for our daughter’s family.
Chinese New Year continues until February 12 so there’s still time to plan your own celebration.