Recipes for Dong Zhi ('doong jit', Winter Solstice)

Photo: Su-Yin

One thing about being a bbc is that you get twice the number of festivals and special days to celebrate (which can be a good or bad thing depending on how much you like the various feasts and events).

Just three days before Christmas, on December 22nd is the Winter Solstice ('doong jit'). It's the shortest day of the year and traditionally a time for families to gather and share a special meal which usually includes 'auspicious' dishes such as chicken and rice flour 'tong yuen'.

The date signals the start of longer daylight hours and symbolises the end of the year's 'yin' or dark phase and the transition into the 'yang' or light phase and so is regarded as an optimistic date worthy of celebration.

If you're in need of some inspiration, here's a couple of Dong Zhi recipe pages:

Homemade Tong Yuen by Su-Yin

Chinese 'Drunken Chicken' Recipe

And here's some more info about the significance of Dong Zhi:

China Winter Solstice festival
Dong Zhi (Discover Hong Kong)