FOOD

Celebrate the Year of the Goat in Morris

SUSAN BLOOM

Correspondent

Thursday ushers in the Year of the Sheep (also referred to as the Year of the Goat) on the Chinese calendar and many restaurants throughout Morris County will be commemorating this celebration of renewal and hope with special foods and festivities.

Mandarin oranges are a traditional symbol of good fortune during Chinese New Year.

According to Guohong Wang, owner and manager of Chef Jon's Authentic Chinese Cuisine in Whippany, special fish dishes will be prominently featured on many restaurant menus this Chinese New Year "because the word 'fish' sounds the same as 'surplus' in Chinese," Wang said. "People eat fish for their Chinese New Year dinner with the wish to have 'surplus' every year."

In addition to such other seafood options such as Crystal Shrimp and Sautéed Lobster with Ginger and Scallion on their menu, the restaurant's unique Squirrel-Shaped Sea Bass offers diners a deep-fried whole sea bass topped with pine seeds, pineapples and diced fresh vegetables in a special sweet and sour sauce. "It's visually colorful and shaped like a squirrel on the plate," said Wang of the dish, which is described as one of the most famous in Shanghai.

Another popular item served during the Chinese New Year is rice cakes, "simply because their name sounds like 'getting better year by year' in Chinese," according to Wang.

Tangyuan rice balls served during Chinese New Year.

At Chef Jon's, the traditional Chinese dessert of Eight Treasure Sticky Rice Cake is made with glutinous rice in a top-side-down bowl shape. "It's then stuffed with red bean paste and topped with eight kinds of dried fruits and nuts, including dried grapes, walnuts, dates, etc., and then steamed and served with a honey or sugar sauce," Wang said.

Other popular menu items offered for the New Year's feast at Chef Jon's include Wuxi BBQ Spare Ribs, Szechuan Lamb and Stir-Fried Rice Cakes.

In addition to enjoying cherished foods, Wang said that the annual celebration also represents special family time.

"In China, the entire family likes to get together and sit around a big table to celebrate the New Year — it's not uncommon to see 15-20 people gather around one table," said Wang of the family feast that's often referred to as the 'Reunion Dinner.'

This Saturday, the recently-opened Ichiban Grill & Buffet in Wayne will be the site of a special cultural event in honor of the Chinese New Year and will feature an all-you-can-eat luncheon, Taoist Blessing Ceremony and other activities.

"The upcoming Year of the Goat is about grounding, reflection and planning," said host Mei Jin Lu, president of the U.S. Taoist Association and a 25th generation Taoist spiritual teacher. "It feels like we stampeded through the Year of the Horse; now we all need to contemplate and recharge."

Attendees will enjoy an expansive menu including special dumplings in the form of ancient golden nuggets, noodles to represent longevity and chocolate coins "that represent prosperity and abundance in all aspects," said Lu. The feast and activities are designed to bring "luck, good health, abundance, relationship, harmony and safety."

Also called the Chinese Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year is considered the most important holiday for Chinese people worldwide and is celebrated for a week.

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If You Go

Enjoy Chinese New Year and authentic Chinese dishes at these area restaurants:

Chef Jon's Authentic Chinese Cuisine

831 Route 10 East, Whippany

(973) 585-6258

www.chefjonschinese.com

Special Chinese New Year banquet menus available

Ichiban Grill & Buffet

29 Route 23, Wayne

www.ichibanwaynenj.com

Special Chinese New Year Celebration hosted by Mei Jin Lu includes all-you-can-eat luncheon and Taoist Blessing 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 21; tickets $30 per person and reservations are required. Call Mei Jin Lu at (973) 723-1811 for tickets.

Shanghai Jazz

24 Main Street, Madison

(973) 822-2899

www.shanghaijazz.com

Hunan Taste

67 Bloomfield Avenue, Denville

(973) 625-2782

www.hunantaste.com

China House

286 U.S. 206, Flanders

(973) 927-7998

www.chinahousenj.com