In a vibrant celebration of Chinese New Year, Shangri-La Mactan's Tea of Spring restaurant, led by Executive Chinese Chef Liu Zhijun, is highlighting the deep cultural significance of family, symbolism, and fresh ingredients in its festive offerings. Chef Liu shared that the holiday is primarily about family reunions, bidding farewell to the old year, welcoming the spring season, and fostering happiness and joy among all participants.
The Central Role of Food in Chinese New Year Celebrations
Food plays a pivotal role in Chinese New Year festivities, with each dish carefully chosen to carry symbolic meanings tied to prosperity, well-being, and good fortune. According to Chef Liu, specific foods represent various auspicious wishes: fish symbolizes surplus and abundance, noodles denote longevity and a long life, dumplings signify wealth and financial success, and rice cakes, such as Nian Gao, reflect growth, progress, and unity in the coming year.
Signature Dishes and Their Symbolic Meanings
For the 2026 Chinese New Year season, Tea of Spring has prepared an array of traditional dishes that embody these themes. Yee Sang, a colorful salad made with fresh salmon, fresh tuna, and snow pear, symbolizes reunion, prosperity, and career advancement. Poon Choi, a luxurious casserole dish, is associated with wealth and abundance year after year, featuring premium ingredients like abalone, prawns, seafood balls, sea cucumber, shiitake mushrooms, sea moss, and a special sauce blend.
Chef Liu emphasized that the key to achieving authentic flavors in these dishes lies in using the freshest seafood and vegetables available. Another standout item on the menu is the Charred Australian white lamb loin, prepared with aromatic Szechuan crumbs, asparagus, crispy rice, and coriander, offering a harmonious balance of bold flavors and varied textures.
Nian Gao Takes Center Stage
Nian Gao, a sweet rice cake traditionally linked to unity and prosperity, is a highlight of Shangri-La Mactan's Chinese New Year celebration, available from February 1 to 28, 2026. The hotel offers two distinct variants: the Prosperous Nian Gao, a classic fish-shaped rice cake presented in an elegant box priced at P1,388 net, and the premium Fortune in Motion, a round Nian Gao housed in a bespoke rotating lantern with soft lighting, priced at P4,388 net.
Chef Liu expressed his hope that diners will associate these dishes with good health, longevity, good fortune, and prosperity in the year ahead. He encouraged families to enjoy the celebration together, particularly recommending Yee Sang as a shared dish that symbolizes wealth, health, and rising success each year.
This culinary experience at Shangri-La Mactan not only offers a taste of tradition but also serves as a reminder of the cultural values embedded in Chinese New Year, making it a meaningful and festive occasion for all who partake.
