You are currently viewing A Village New Year Celebration in New York City

I am very fortunate to be living in the most wonderful building in the greatest city. This year my schedule around Chinese New Year was absolutely crazy. What with cooking classes, cooking demos, panel discussions and a guest chef event I had neglected preparations for my own family New Year dinner. The day before New Year’s Eve only four members of my family had been invited and confirmed. I was not looking forward to spending a quiet New Year’s Eve celebration with so few people. Determined to change this I turned it into a festive gathering of friends and neighbors.

The morning of New Year’s Eve I spread the word among the neighbors on our floor that we were going to have a splendid party to welcome the new year of the rabbit. I quickly went to Chinatown and provisioned enough food. Five families and three generations gathered that night and had a feast. Only in New York City one can acquire traditional and modern ingredients last minute, and summon the neighbors for a Chinese New Year celebration as if we were living in a village in China.

So here is a pictorial essay of our wonderful feast. Once again my neighbor Kim Foster of The Yummy Mummy was extremely helpful in photographing the dinner.

Family, Friends and Neighbors


Photography by Kim Foster


Photography by Kim Foster

Photography by Kim Foster


Photography by Kim Foster


Photography by Kim Foster


Photography by Kim Foster

The Menu

  • 迎春年夜宴
    Chinese New Year’s Banquet

    • Harlem USA
    • Wednesday, February 2, 2011
    • 四色小涼菜
      Assorted Cold Appetizers
    • 麻辣拌蓮藕 Lotus Root Salad with Spicy Dressing
      水晶豬腳凍 Cold Smoked Ham Hock
      蒜泥拌茄子 Eggplant Salad
      涼拌海蟄頭 Jellyfish Salad
    • 公保炒雙鮮
      Gong Pao Shrimp and Scallop
    • 挾飽紅燒肉
      Red Cooked Meat with Steamed Buns
    • 洋參烏雞湯
      Wisconsin Ginseng and Silky Chicken Soup
    • 孜然炒牛肉
      Stir-Fried Beef with Cumin
    • 家常豆腐煲
      Family Style Tofu Casserole
    • 五香扒肥鴨
      Five Spice Braised Duck
    • 清蒸鮮鮸魚
      Steamed Silver Croaker
    • 臘味五穀飯
      Multigrain Rice with Chinese Bacon, Bamboo Shoots and Shiitake Mushrooms
    • 椰汁西米露
      Tapioca Pearl in Coconut Milk with Taro and Sweet Potato

The Dinner

Assorted Cold Appetizers

Assorted Cold Appetizers
Photography by Kim Foster

Kung Pao Shrimp and Scallop

Kung Pao Shrimp and Scallop
Photography by Kim Foster

Red Cooked Pork with Cucumber Salad

Red Cooked Pork
Photography by Kim Foster

Serving Wisconsin Ginseng and Silky Chicken Soup

Serving Wisconsin Ginseng and Silky Chicken Soup
Photography by Kim Foster

Stir-Fried Beef with Cumin

Stir-Fried Beef with Cumin
Photography by Kim Foster

Soup and Beef

Soup and Beef at Chinese New Year Dinner
Photography by Kim Foster

Family Style Tofu Casserole

Family Style Tofu Casserole
Photography by Kim Foster

Five Spice Braised Duck

Five Spice Braised Duck
Photography by Kim Foster

Steamed Silver Croaker

Steamed Silver Croaker

Multigrain Rice with Chinese Bacon, Bamboo Shoots and Shiitake Mushrooms

Multigrain Rice with Chinese Bacon

Tapioca Pearl in Coconut Milk with Taro and Sweet Potato

Tapioca Coconut Soup

In the Kitchen

Kian in His Kitchen


Photography by Kim Foster

Fresh Wisconsin Ginseng and Silky Chicken

First Step of Making Braised Duck

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Ana

    Kian, are you going to post recipes?! I know a few already have recipes listed on this site, but I’m keen to reproduce all your dishes.

  2. Kian Lam Kho

    Hi Ana, I’m so glad this menu inspired you to want to learn more about the dishes. I will try to post as many recipes as I can. I often make up recipes as I cook dinners. In order for me to post them I will have to recreate and test the recipes. That normally takes a little extra time to accomplish.

  3. Frank

    I’d say it’s your neighbors who are the lucky ones! What a gorgeous feast to be invited to…

    1. The Yummy Mummy

      Yes, Frank, you’re right. As Kian’s neighbor, I reap all the rewards, happily. Kian is an amazing cook. So happy to have been a part of this.

  4. Betsy Kirchen

    It all sounds so good, Kian! And keep those recipes coming, please. I’m especially looking forward to learning how to do those multi-grain/vegetable rice dishes you have talked about. (Wasn’t there one with pumpkin, too?)

  5. Riri-cuisine

    That looks great. I’d really love to have a dinner with you 🙂

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