Chinese New Year, or the lunar year as it is commonly called, is a celebration in every sense of the word. Lasting eight days, the festivities include a lot of eating and partying. Since I’m not Chinese, naturally I am intrigued by this holiday. I’ll take any opportunity to eat lots of yummy food. Boston has a thriving Chinatown and it is definitely worth a visit if you’ve never been. Leading up to the Lion Dance Parade on February 13 in Chinatown, I’ve picked some great eats and doings to celebrate the lunar year.
A splendid way ring in the lunar year is to go for dim sum. Dim sum are small portions of Chinese food that are served around in carts, and it is most common to have the meal weekend afternoons. You can pick whatever looks good to you, and the food will keep coming. Some popular dim sum items are steamed dumplings and rice noodles. I always feel the need to be carried out of the restaurant after consuming dim sum; it’s that good. My only complaint is when you can’t get the attention of the servers who can whiz right past you without noticing your puppy dog eyes and growling stomach. Fear not, you will get food, and lots of it. My top picks for dim sum are Hei La Moon 88 Beach Street and China Pearl 9 Tyler Street. Heads up: Both can get pretty crowded on weekends. A good time to go would be 11 or noon.
Just strolling through Main Street in Chinatown feels like you’ve entered a different world. Vendors line the streets with the latest faux designer bags, and every souvenir shop seems to be stacked high with kitschy Chinese slippers and wooden Buddhas. Despite the hustle and bustle, Chinatown is a lovely reminder of the impact Chinese immigrants have made in Boston. Since the 1880s when the first immigrants arrived in Boston, Chinatown has kept its own distinct identity and personality. Although in recent years Chinatown has seen the influx of chain restaurants and Barnes and Noble Bookstores, this special area of Boston is quintessentially Chinese. Stepping past the gates of Chinatown you leave America and enter the rest of the world.
Lunar Year is arguably the biggest holiday celebrated throughout China, and Chinatown is hosting its annual Lion Dance Parade, a tradition for Bostonians and Chinese alike. If the trek to Chinatown seems a little to daunting, BU will be hosting a Chinese New Year party February 17 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Howard Thurman Center. Food will be served, and there will also be student performances, Chinese calligraphy competition, and a display of Chinese music and films. Whether you are Chinese or not, Chinese New Year is about luck and happiness for the coming year. What better way to celebrate this holiday then with some cultural awakening through dim sum or the streets of Chinatown? Gung hay fat choy!
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