Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox. It is a time for people to pay respect to their ancestors by visiting their tombs, sweeping and cleaning their graves, and making offerings. However, it is also a time to enjoy the newly-arrived spring air and indulge in some delicious traditional foods. Let's take a closer look at what to eat during Qingming Festival.
Qingtuan is a type of glutinous rice cake that is made of pounded glutinous rice and Chinese mugwort. It is green in color and has a fragrant aroma. Qingtuan is a popular food during Qingming Festival because of its green color, which symbolizes new life and vitality. It is typically eaten as a breakfast food or a snack and is often served with sweet red bean paste.
Cold noodles, or "liangpi" in Chinese, are a type of noodle dish that is served cold. It is made by mixing flour, water, and salt and then rolling it out into thin sheets. The noodles are then cut into strips and served with a variety of toppings such as shredded cucumber, carrots, and chili oil. Cold noodles are a refreshing and light dish that is perfect for a warm spring day.
Tomb-sweeping porridge, or "saomu zhou" in Chinese, is a type of rice porridge that is commonly eaten during Qingming Festival. It is made by cooking rice with pork bone, dried shrimp, and other ingredients such as peanuts, mushrooms, and green onions. The porridge is said to have a calming effect on the stomach and is a good food to have when you're feeling emotional while visiting your ancestors' graves.
Tofu is a type of bean curd that is made from soybeans. It is a healthy and nutritious food that is often eaten during Qingming Festival. Tofu can be cooked in a variety of ways such as stir-fry, deep-fry, or steamed. It is also a popular ingredient in hotpot dishes that are eaten during the festival.
Sweet osmanthus rice wine, or "guihua jiu" in Chinese, is a type of wine that is made from glutinous rice and sweet osmanthus flowers. It has a sweet and floral aroma that is reminiscent of spring and is often served during Qingming Festival. Sweet osmanthus rice wine is a symbol of happiness and good fortune and is a traditional drink to have when visiting one's ancestors' graves.
Qingming Festival is a time to pay respects to ancestors and celebrate the arrival of spring. Traditional foods such as qingtuan, cold noodles, tomb-sweeping porridge, tofu, and sweet osmanthus rice wine are delicious and meaningful dishes that are enjoyed during the festival. Whether you're visiting graves or simply enjoying the holiday, these foods are sure to add a touch of clear, refreshing flavor to your day.
