Chinese New Year

One of the coolest things about Auckland is our cultural festivals. I particularly enjoy Diwali and Chinese New Year, mainly because I am such a little piggy. Can’t help it, food rocks. Just have to maintain moderation… anyway despite its god-​awful venue of the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane, the Chinese New Year celebrations are so worth a look. Most Aucklanders rave about the Lantern Festival and don’t seem to take too much notice of the Festival and Market Day.
Those Aucklanders in the know however come from far and wide to see performances from Chinese cultural groups, check out the crazy shopping and of course, eat themselves stupid on pretty much the full range of Asian delights — including Thai, Japanese, Indian and of course different regional Chinese cuisine.
This year our two boys chose Thai Curry Puffs and Satay Sticks, the rest of us went for Singapore Fried Noodles (msg — yum) and could not walk past the Vegetarian Dumplings. On previous occasions my favourite food stall was the Auckland Buddhist Centre — I had what I think was a hot and sour soup that I have tried to recreate many times at home without succeeding. Peppery sour soup with skinny egg noodles and stir fried veg (assembled to order by its components), topped with a dollop of what could be black bean paste or similar, fresh spring onions and coriander. Just. So. Good. On the day this year however it was just too darn scorchio for soup so I gave it a miss.
There are kiddy rides and sideshows, mainly for smaller kids, as well as performances on the main stage inside as well as outside. Like all events at the Showgrounds you have to pay for parking but with the food so cheap and fresh, it’s still a really economical day out and something special you can’t do every day.

Whoever chose the different animals for the Chinese Zodiac did not really have much of a sense of equality. According to ancient Chinese mythology, some people posses all the attributes of a dragon, while others are rather more like rats. I’m a pig — which I’m actually really OK with. 2013 is the year of the snake, a fact which was artfully represented though dance at this years Chinese New Year celebrations in Auckland.
Aside from this celebration being a crash course in some of China’s curious ancient beliefs, it also serves as a brilliant sampler of delicious Chinese food. I know you do not have to go far to find good Chinese food in Auckand, but there is something great about eating it in such a festive atmosphere. Get yourself a timetable and check out some of the song and dance performances, it’s like a scaled down Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.