Your etiquette guide to navigating your first Lunar New Year’s dinner.
The Lunar New Year kicks off on January 29th this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake. It is one of the grandest festivals celebrated across Asia in countries such as Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, and China, as it welcomes the beginning of spring and the arrival of the new year.
Each culture has unique customs and traditions, yet all share common threads of family, food, and paying respects to our ancestors. Everything from what you wear to the seating arrangements to serving protocols during dinner carries significance and symbolic meanings.
What was once celebrated primarily in Asian households, Lunar New Year celebrations have undergone a cultural revolution. Today, they are celebrated globally through a cross-cultural lens, blending diverse flavors and influences, perhaps best witnessed through their culinary evolution.
For instance, a few months ago, I had the opportunity to dine at the infamous Shang Palace, France’s only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant, housed inside the 5-star Shangri-La Paris Hotel. There, I savored some of Executive Chef Tony Xu’s signature dishes, like Brittany scallops, expertly prepared using French ingredients married with Chinese flavors in a Kong Pao style, as he masterfully bridged his Chengdu roots with French techniques.
“A good host ensures a welcoming atmosphere, thoughtful seating arrangements, and dishes that cater to each guest’s preferences, reflecting both generosity and attentiveness,” explains Chef Xu.
Here are some of his best Lunar New Year hosting and dining etiquette tips he shared with me, many of which are incorporated into the Shang Palace dining experience.
