Chinese New Year

While living in Hong Kong I learned a little about Chinese new year but there is still a lot I don't know. Mr T and I have been together for 4 years and it is only now that he is starting to tell me about Chinese new year traditions and in fact I seem to find out more from other people than I do from him. So now that I know a little more I thought I would share it:

• It is believed to be good luck if you start the year with a clean house. Or rather it removes any bad luck that you have had the previous year. However, cleaning should be done before the start of Chinese new year and not on the first couple of days (including sweeping the floor and taking out the garbage).
  
• You should not visit people on the third day of Chinese new year as you may have arguments with those you visit.
• You should buy a new outfit prior to Chinese new year so that you start the year fresh.
• You should have leftovers from new years eve dinner for the first day of chinese new year so that you always have more: food, money etc.
  

If I have not given a true account of the traditions feel free to correct me.

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Last night we had dinner with several friends at Vegie Hut in Box Hill to celebrate chinese new year early since we will be away for Chinese new year next week. And I forgot to take pics of the food except for the fried lychees which are not authentic Chinese food at all and which I have never seen before. I think next time I will stick with the fried pineapple or the sago pudding, while I love lychees the flavour doesn't stand out when it battered and deep fried.


There are about half a dozen Chinese veg restaurants in Melbourne and my top 3 are:

1. Vegie Hut-Box Hill
2. Enlightened Cuisine
3. White Lotus

I don't think it's fair to rank the others when I have only visited them once.