"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…
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.
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…