Winter Warmth - Celebrate Christmas Cheer and the Winter Solstice with Festive Feasts
When thinking about the highlights of December, what comes to mind? Alongside Christmas holidays and end-of-year parties, the traditional Winter Solstice night celebrations hold a significant place in Hong Kong's rich cultural heritage. In the past, the Winter Solstice marked the beginning of rejuvenation and preparations for the New Year, after a period of autumnal harvest and winterly recuperation.Indeed, the Winter Solstice is often regarded with equal, if not greater, importance than the New Year, as it marks the gradual increase in daylight hours beyond that day. It was therefore celebrated as a day of welcoming the yang energy and a new season and viewed as equally significant as the New Year.
【Regal Indulgence: Poon Chois on Winter Solstice Feast】
As one of the highlight festivals at the end of the year, the Winter Solstice feast calls for something grand and substantial – Hot Pot, sweet dumpling and Poon Chois are undoubtedly the ideal choice.
Whilst there are many tales on the origins of this beloved classic, the most convincing one dates the Poon Chois back to over eight hundred years ago, when the last emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty, Song Di Bing, took refuge in Hong Kong during his exile. As the villagers in the New Territories scrambled to whip up some dishes for the distinguished guest, they realised that there weren't enough bowls and plates. In haste, they decided to chuck all the ingredients into one large pot, which became the predecessor of today's Poon Chois. This delicacy, praised even by the Emperor for its mouth-watering deliciousness, has become a staple dish during key festivals such as the Winter Solstice, Lunar New Year, and Mid-Autumn Festival.
【Divine Celebrations with Western Flair】
Since the Winter Solstice falls between 21 and 23 December every year, it is a commonplace practice for people to celebrate the festival in conjunction with Christmas. When it comes to the most festive dish for the season, the crown unquestionably falls upon the roast turkey. This tradition of celebrating monumental holidays with roast turkeys originated from Christmas in 1620, when a large wave of British immigrants settled on a barren hill in the Americas. Due to a shortage of ingredients, the immigrants had to improvise on the spot and catch the turkeys they found in the wild as the main Christmas dish. Since then, people have paid tribute to turkeys by featuring them as the star of the dining table on Thanksgiving and other holidays alike.
In addition to the traditional 300-year-old roast turkey, there are various foreign delicacies that have become a part of the feast, such as the Italian Christmas dessert "Panettone" and red wine to commemorate religious traditions. These international specialties are sure to tantalize the taste buds and make your mouth water.
Whether it's celebrating the Winter Solstice or Christmas, we should all treasure and make the most of the time together with family and friends. Apart from dining and experiencing the festive joy in Lee Gardens, whip together a festive feast at home by selecting from a large variety of sumptuous Poon Chois, hotpots, and holiday sets from the hy! online platform! Use the discount code “XMAS100” to save $100 upon spending $500. Moreover, enjoy free delivery upon spending $1,000 (valid until 15 December)! Don’t miss out on these delectable deals and limited offers!