Whether you are travelling in the north or the south of China, one delicacy you are almost sure to find on the menu is the dumpling. A universal favorite, the Chinese dumpling has a long history and is an essential part of celebratory meals such as those prepared for the Chinese lunar Spring Festival. The dumpling can be anything from a quick snack to a delicacy with which to entertain family and friends or the basis of a veritable feast.
When traveling in Xian, one pleasure you should not miss is the Dumpling Banquet. Xi'an Dumpling Banquet is brought forth new ideas in its color, fragrance, taste and style; meanwhile, is added ancient culture. Thus, the dumpling is no longer one kind of simple flour food. People change the tradition of using pork, beef, mutton and vegetable as its filling, chicken, duck, fish, pork, meat, egg, delicacies from land and sea and fresh vegetable, etc, in one word, include steaming, frying, toasting, etc. They add many tastes such as sour, sweet, peppery, etc. Concerning the style, they make out various pretty and lovely styles such as flower, bird, grass, fish, ect. Besides the traditional style of a new moon like.
People who taste Xi'an Dumpling Banquet have had a deep happy memory. This is not only because it’s beautiful styles and delicious taste, but also because it includes plentiful cultural intension. For example, "Black Rice steamed dumpling", uses the black rice as filling, draws its material from the legend that Zhangqian dreamed Wenqu, found black rice and went to the Western Region. The last dish is "chrysanthemum chafing dish", waiter or waitress boil pearl dumpling like the size of smallest finger in front of the guest, then, distribute to every people. When guest taste the pearl dumpling (more or less), they will get blessing related with number:
When you eat one dumpling, the blessing is to plain sailing;
Two dumplings - a double blessing has descended upon the house;
Three dumplings - to go up three grades in a row;
Four dumplings - to get rich in four seasons;
Five dumplings - an abundant harvest of all food crops;
Six dumplings - everything goes well;
Seven dumplings - seven stars shin upon you (good luck);
Eight dumplings - the Eight Immortals crossing the sea (each one showing his or her special prowess);
Nine dumplings - the highest above all;
Ten dumplings - be perfect in every way.
If you are the one do not have one to eat, don't be disappointed, you will get the blessing that "worry nothing and have good health and a long life". In fact, every sentence includes a good meaning in order to let every people glad and happy, to push the pleasant atmosphere to a climax.