Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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The dish that usually appears during Chinese New Year is called ‘Poon Choi’ (盆菜) in Cantonese or ‘Pen Cai’ (盆菜) in Mandarin. My wife came up with a quick version to feed us on Chinese New Year. I hope you enjoy the video. Wishing you all good health and great wealth!

What is Poon Choi (盆菜)?
Poon Choi is a luxurious one-pot layered feast traditionally served during Chinese New Year and other big celebrations. It originated from Hong Kong, a place I missed a lot :-), and is popular among Cantonese communities.

Key Features of Poon Choi:
• Served in a large pot or basin (hence the name “盆,” meaning “basin”).
• Filled with layers of premium ingredients, such as:
• Top Layer: Abalone, prawns, scallops, roasted meats (duck, pork), mushrooms
• Middle Layer: Fish maw, dried oysters, sea cucumber, fat choy (black moss)
• Bottom Layer: Vegetables, tofu, radish (to absorb the flavors)
• The ingredients are arranged in layers, with the most luxurious ones on top for presentation.
• It symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and unity because it’s meant to be shared among family members.