As China's visa-free policy expands, more foreign friends are choosing to come to China to celebrate the traditional Chinese Spring Festival in China. In the latest episode of Destination Shenzhen, Crystal from GDToday and Tim Ramak, GD Today's special correspondent, introduced the unique basin dish culture, or Poon Choi culture, of Shenzhen during the Spring Festival to friends worldwide and TikTok refugees on Rednote.
Poon Choi, a folk custom in Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Hong Kong, has a history of hundreds of years. It is served during festivals, weddings, and ancestral sacrifices. Now, symbolizing abundance, it's a must-have dish on Shenzhen's New Year's Eve dinner table.
Last week, Crystal and Tim joined a folk celebration in Shajing, Bao'an District, Shenzhen. Red lanterns adorned the area, and lion dances thrilled the crowd, creating a festive atmosphere. When night fell, over 700 people gathered for a basin dish feast, enjoying a variety of ingredients like abalone, roast goose, and shrimp, all cooked in a rich sauce.
As the hosts tasted the dish, its aroma captivated them. Each bite was a burst of flavors, and the laughter and joy around the basin dish made the experience unforgettable. Tim invited foreign friends in Shenzhen to taste this delicious traditional dish for an authentic Chinese New Year experience.
Author | Cai Minling
Video | Tim Ramak, Xie Haoran
Editor | Wei Shen, James, Shen He
