Celebrate Chinese New Year in Solihull

What is the Chinese New Year?

The Chinese New Year focuses on removing the bad and welcoming in new and good things. In China it’s taken quite literally, with the Chinese typically cleaning their houses, getting rid of unwanted items, exorcising evil spirits, and bathing to wash away any bad luck. Once the cleaning element has taken part they focus on new clothing for the festive period, redecorating houses with red lanterns, giving children good luck pocket money in red envelopes, and burning incense to honour their ancestors.

How is it celebrated in China?

It’s an important time for family and people working or living far away from their families head home for a New Year’s Eve dinner, with firecrackers being set off at midnight to welcome in the New Year. China’s a big country so people favour different types of food in the different parts of the country. In the North one most popular dishes for a New Year’s Eve meal is dumplings. A fish dish is also usually served as this symbolises plenty of wealth for the year ahead. Whilst in the South a special type of New Year’s Cake is popular, based on sticky rice and sugar.

How can you celebrate it locally?

It’s a great excuse to head to your local Chinese restaurant in Solihull and have a feast, whether you choose to eat in or take away. In the UK a Chinese is one of the most popular takeaways we order, with some of the most favoured dishes including sweet and sour pork, chow mein, crispy duck pancakes, spring rolls and king prawns in black bean sauce. If you don’t have a favourite Chinese in Solihull we’ve looked into the some of the most popular ones for you.

• Fortune House Cantonese takeaway on Damson Lane has achieved an impressive 4.9 rating on Google reviews.
• Fortune Inn restaurant in Shirley appears at the top of the list on the Restaurant Guru website.
• Minh’s Cantonese restaurant in Dorridge is number 2 in terms of popularity on restaurant Guru and has 4.4 out of 5 on Google reviews.
• Number 3 on Restaurant Guru is Lucky House takeaway in Shirley, followed by Everbright Chinese & Thai restaurant and takeaway on Old Lode Lane in Solihull, with Jade Wok on Station Road in Solihull coming in as the fifth most popular Chinese restaurant in Solihull.