12.19
09
09
What Is Traditionally Eaten On Chinese Birthdays?
by moyang ·
I have a chinese friend I made while studying in China. She is now studying at my university and her 20th bday is coming up! I am going to cook her an american meal but wanted to know if theres anything special I can do so that she does not miss home too much! thanks! Oh and not sure if it makes a difference but she is sichuanese and is from the city of Cheng du!
Tags: Birthdays, Chinese, Eaten, Traditionally
December 19th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Most people from Sichuan or Chonqging will love hot pot. It’s a spicy steam boat, with red chili oil, instead of clear chicken broth soup.
But of course if you don’t eat spicy food, this would not be right as you won’t be able to share in it too.
Cake, any cake will do.
And also “mi xian”, and as someone else suggested, do not cut the noodle as the long strand of noodle symbolizes long life.
Red packet is not necessary. It’s only given by parents or the elderly to the young, and you as a friend are on the same “level” with her, so it’s not required of you. A gift though will be appreciated. I am sure as a friend you know what kind of thing she will appreciate.
Lastly, just want to say that you are such a good friend for your willingness to make her birthday a special day.
December 19th, 2009 at 7:24 am
I remember my last birthday here,
We went to eat dumplings (just because the restaurant is nice).
The birthday tradition is a bowl with a special type of noodle.
The noodle is very long and the goal of the birthday person is to eat the entire noodle without breaking it. (You can bite it apart in your mouth but it must not break outside your mouth). The more you eat the better, it represents long life.
The restaurant actually gave me the noodles free. *bonus*
Anyway a day to remember.
December 19th, 2009 at 7:49 am
I live in China and for the most part the students I know sing karaoke and have a cake; but not a traditional American cake. The cakes here are fluffier–like angel food cake–and the icing is light to–like whipping cream or something. I don’t know if it’s the same all over China though. You could casually ask her what she did for her b-day last year and see what she says. Good luck
December 19th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Two hard boiled eggs in red food colouring dye. Noodle called “Mien Swa” or can be substituted with long egg noodles symbolise of long life.Remember not to cut noodle as it means cutting short that long life. After eating,give her a small red packet(envelope) with some money in it for wealth and richness in this life. This is traditional Chinese birthday .
Now, give me 10 points as this is also a Chinese service reward for consulating.
December 19th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Dn’t serve red eggs, most Chinese won’t mind but some may feel offended. Serve noodles, and while cooking them don’t break the strands cut down up to make them easier to eat. Long noodles symbolise longevity.
By the way, red eggs are served at a baby’s one month old party.
December 19th, 2009 at 8:00 am
On birthdays, you eat noodles that called “Chang Shou Mian” which means “long lived” noodles symbolizes living a long life. There is also red eggs or tea eggs, which symbolizes bliss. Other than that, just Cake and gifts I suppose, lol.
December 19th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Well most time the birthday person goes out for a meal with friends.
Cake is like a very fluffy splodge with light cream and bits of fruit in it. At times it tastes dry.
If shes from Sichuan then she will like spicy food but check with her first.
December 19th, 2009 at 9:32 am
You can just boil some eggs and outside the cooked eggs must paint with red colour.
You can cook noodles for her too, there’s a kind of noodle called “mian sian” or “mee shua”
December 19th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Sichuan is pretty much spicy foood, and in the chinese tradition there is usually two red eggs.
December 19th, 2009 at 10:53 am
CHinese people usually eat their favorite dishes on their birthdays. Then you should get her a cake. I’m sure she would love it.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:41 am
for Han Chinese
NOODLE
NOODLE
& MORE NOODLE
December 19th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
noodles, chen2001 is right =]