Okay, so, I really wanted to plan this big Chinese wedding feast, you know, the traditional kind. I started by diving deep into what dishes are usually served at these things. I mean, it’s all about showing off, right? Showing how well-off and generous the couple’s families are. That’s how it was traditionally, at least.
First off, I learned that a typical Chinese wedding banquet has either ten or twelve courses. Can you believe that? Ten or twelve! So, I started looking into the classic dishes. Things like Peking duck, sweet and sour pork, steamed fish, and even some fancier stuff like braised abalone and lobster. These are the dishes that always seem to pop up.
I also checked out what a more modern menu might look like. You’ve still got your Peking duck, of course, but maybe also kung pao chicken. It’s all about mixing the old with the new, I guess.
- Roasted pig: Yeah, this one is a big deal. It’s a symbol of abundance or something.
- Lobster: Gotta have lobster.
- Scallops and Chicken and Duck: These are all supposed to bring good luck.
- Noodles, Abalone, Sea Cucumber, and Fish: Each of these has some special meaning. Longevity, prosperity, you name it.
Now, it was super important for me to get the right balance of dishes. Not just any dishes, but the right types. The usual advice is to have poultry, some kind of red meat like pork or beef, seafood, a veggie dish, and something starchy like rice or noodles. I went with that and even threw in something a bit out there, like frog, just for kicks.
I also compared this to what you might see at a wedding in the US. Over here, it’s usually simpler. You might get fish or steak, mashed potatoes or rice, and a salad. Way less complicated than a ten-course Chinese feast!
Putting It All Together
So, after all that research, I started to piece together my ideal menu. I picked one dish from each of those categories I mentioned. It was tough, but I think I managed to create a menu that’s both traditional and a bit unique. I really wanted to capture that feeling of abundance and celebration. It was a lot of work, but hey, it’s for a special occasion, right?
In the end, I felt pretty good about the menu I came up with. It felt like a good mix of everything that makes a Chinese wedding banquet special. And hopefully, it’ll be a meal that everyone will remember!
