"See our blog of the special dishes we have been proud to share with our community below and learn about the history of these dishes.
Please note: these are not our current offerings but were offered during our culture events and popups in the past. We are keeping these posts up to share the cultural history associated with these dishes and as a record of the delicious food we have been able to share. Please stay tuned our upcoming events by sign up on our list serv"
WOOD DRAGON AND LACQUERWARE-INSPIRED CHARCOAL MOONCAKES
OPENING: This lunar year is special—it's the Year of the Wood Dragon, a symbol of strength, creativity, and renewal. The Wood Dragon is known for its energy, innovation, and growth, making this the perfect time to celebrate with something equally unique and powerful...
CHERRY BLOSSOMS, PEACH BLOSSOMS OR PLUM BLOSSOMS
OPENING: Well, It’s March again. We have been seeing signs of spring everywhere. The lovely small pink flowers are blooming now and decorating the streets of DC. ...
YEAR OF THE WOOD DRAGON
OPENING: Do Chinese couples — especially in recent decades — really plan pregnancies in advance (by the end of the third month of the lunar year), aiming to have dragon babies? You will find this very much of a misconception if you read the data regarding birth rate…
THE ELIXIR-POUNDING RABBIT
OPENING: The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節) is just around the corner(!). The Chinese Street Market Community has prepared stories and traditional snacks for the year. We thought it was interesting to mention that this is the year of the rabbit and the rabbit is one of the important mythological creatures in the Mid-Autumn Festival stories…
THE PEARL RIVER DELTA PASTRY COLLECTION
HISTORY: The Pearl River Delta area is in south China. It mainly includes Guangdong, Hongkong and Macau etc. …
MACAU ALMOND FLOUR CAKE (GF)
HISTORY: The almond flour cakes were further developed and expanded through the establishment of Liji Bakery in Macau …
MAKING SENSE OF MOON
OPENING: This year, our inspiration is to feel the sentiments as described in the Chinese classic literature and poetry - after the pandemic lockdown period, expressing our feelings towards life for its high or its low. “ It is like the Moon changing from the crescent moon to the full moon repeatedly” (人有悲欢离合,月有阴晴圆缺). Chinese Street Market will prepare traditional literary mooncake flavors described in a Fall party in Yihong Garden from the Chinese classic novel The Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), suggesting pairing with the “hairy crab tea and osmanthus blend” (毛蟹茶, a type of Oolong Tea, read more on our website why it is called “hairy crab tea”) from our friends at Teaism DC. More highlights about this year's collection: We have fermented our own duck eggs which were freshly picked from local Amish farmers at Pecan and Meadows Farm. We are also collaborating with our guest chef who has designed the gluten-free version of the mooncakes with various exciting ice-cream fillings.
FOUR SEASONS Sū or 四(Sì)季(Jì)酥(Sū)
HISTORY: Chef Jing’s Vegan Mochi Shortcakes: A Cookie of “Year,” A Bite of “Life” Inspiration: Rice cake — a sticky block prepared from steamed glutinous rice — is one of the most popular in East Asian (Lunar) New Year cooking repertoire …
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL MOONCAKE or 中(Zhōng)秋(Qiū)月(Yuè)饼(Bǐng) (V, GF)
HISTORY: The Mid-Autumn Festival is based around ‘moon worship’, or the making of offerings to the mysterious moon, in a centuries-old Chinese celebration…
DOUBLE SEVENTH FESTIVAL or 七(Qī)夕(Xì)七(Qī)巧(Qiǎo)如(Rú)意(Yì)果(Guǒ) (V, GF)
HISTORY: The story of “the Cowherd and the Weaving Girl” was selected as one of China's Four Great Folktales by the "Folklore Movement" in the 1920s — the others being the Legend of the White Snake, Lady Meng Jiang, and Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai…
RICE DUMPLING or 粽(Zòng)子(Zi) (GF)
HISTORY: The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the four major festivals celebrated by Han Chinese…
TSING RICE CAKE or 青(Tsīng)团(Tuán) (GF)
HISTORY: The ancient Tsing Ming—or 清明 (Qīngmíng)—Festival takes place every year on April 4th and is a time for honoring one’s ancestors…
XI'AN DUMPLING BANQUET or 西(Xī) 安(ān)饺(Jiǎo)子(Zi)宴(Yàn) (GF)
HISTORY: Chinese dumplings are generally known to consist of dough wrapped around various fillings. What is not generally known is that dumplings are a derivation of what we now know as wontons…
EIGHT TREASURES SHORTBREAD COOKIES or 八(Bā)宝(Bǎo)酥(Sū)
HISTORY: The Eight Treasures Shortbread Cookie is inspired by a traditional breakfast porridge from northern China that is served on the Laba holiday…
FUJIAN FRIED RICE NOODLES or 福(Fú)建(Jiàn)炒(Chǎo)米(Mǐ)粉(Fěn) **
HISTORY: This dish is one of the must-haves in Shaxian Snacks or 沙(Shā)县(Xiàn)小( Xiǎo)吃(Chī)…
YUNNAN RICE NOODLES or 云(Yún)南(Nán)米(Mǐ)线(Xiàn)
HISTORY: Yunnan rice noodles (or过 (Guò) 桥(Qiáo), which translates to “crossing-bridge noodles”) is said by some to have originated from a wife …