Aired January 26th, 2009 on Chinatown, Chinese and Events. 
During this, the Chinese New Year, there’s a little Chinese in all of us, right? Here at Phoodie, we professed our love for Philly’s Chinatown back in September, and today’s New Year’s Kickoff is rekindling our passion. It’s the Year of the Ox, which sounds pretty tough, so if you’re dusting off your dragon costume and getting prepped to head into C-Town, here’s a brief primer of some key foods to seek out.
Everything tastes better when it symbolizes something else, and symbolism is the name of the game for the Chinese New Year. Sweets, baked or steamed, are a major part of the New Year menu. Sugar represents a rich, happy life, layers are abundance in the future, and round forms signify family. KC’s Pastries is the key spot for these Confuscian confections.David’s Mai Lai Wah is thee spot for dumplings, which represent wealth, something we could all use a bit of these days. Dave’s dumplings, fried or steamed, might be the best in town, their power boosted by a potent ginger garlic oil that sidecars the plate. It’s an intense sauce, like a Chinese chimichuri, and it’s always a highlight.Everyone loves a whole-fried fish, another New Year favorite. The head and tail are of course kept on, symbolizing a swell beginning and ending to the year. That’s a good one, right? Whole frieds are ubiquitous but Jade Harbor is great because you can make sustained eye contact with your fishy before he hits the fryer.Noodles, too, are everywhere. They’re consumed at for the New Year to give long life. The Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House does traditional pulled noodles and a more unique variety shaved from a big ol’ block of noodle. They also serve the best pig ears in town, so save room.Anything to steer clear of on the Chinese New Year? You bet. Fresh tofu‘s white color represents death and misfortune, not very palatable. But the Chinese word for dried bean curd is the same word as a word meaning health and prosperity, so you can load up on that.
KC’s Pastries, 135 N. 11th Street
David’s Mai Lai Wah, 1001 Race Street
Jade Harbor, 942 Race Street
Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House, 927 Race Street
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