Poon Choi Night - Saturday 17th February
Honki Haus and Sydney Saber will be hosting our very first Poon Choi night to mark the Year of the Dragon 2024!
What is Poon Choi (盆菜) ?
Poon Choi Aka Pen Cai (盆菜) is an Auspicious one-pot dish served in a very big pot (traditionally served in wooden and metal basin) during festive peiods, especially Chinese New Year.
What is in a Poon Choi?
Poon Choi (盆菜) is usually crowded with overflowing of ingredients to signify abundance of wealth and prospertity. The choice of ingredients to be added is endless. Usually includes Roast meat, dried mushroom, conpoy, prawns, abalone, fish maw, broccoli, yam, etc
Usually, the ingredients are layered such that radish, cabbage will be at the bottom. More premium ingredients are layered on top for a more luxury presentation. Also, to allow the juice from the meat and seafood to flow to the bottom of the basin.
Cultural Aspects of Poon Choi?
01
Showing gratitude to ancestors
Traditionally, a village dish served during festive periods, villagers use only the best and freshest ingredients is a way they pay respect to their ancestors. This behaviour illustrates the character of traditional Chinese people, who keep their ancestors in mind and remain grateful to them. It also reflects their reputation of being very hospitable.
02
Teamwork and unity
Poon choi requires much manpower to prepare and cook the ingredients. So whenever there are any major events, respected villagers become the main chefs, leading and instructing the rest of the village in preparing the meal. In other words, cooking Poon choi requires teamwork among villagers, which unites them
03
Family lineages - Continuity
It is also noteworthy that different walled villages have different cooking method for preparing Poon choi in keeping with their own customs. The Poon choi recipes of every village are kept secret and not divulged to people who do not belong to the village. The recipe is regarded as a village inheritance passed from villager to villager and father to son over generations. Poon choi is thus a symbol of the continuity of the village and local family lineages.
04
Equality
Enjoying Poon choi demonstrates equality because the rich and the poor eat it together. There is no complicated etiquette, everyone can join in.
What to expect for Poon Choi night?
We are aiming to get 8 tables of eight to ten guests. Guests will arrive and be allocated to their tables. Once all guests arrive, we will begin to serve the Poon Choi Formalities. We will serve the first serving while introducing Poon Choi etiquette. Lion Dance will commence later in the evening to bring in good fortune and ward off the evil spirits.
By the end of day, our intentions are aimed at bringing the community together, foster a positive cultural experience and more importantly have a good time.
FAQs of Poon Choi Night?
Lion Dance?
Yes! there will be lion dance on the night! No, other way yo bring in the Year of the Dragon!
Seating Arrangement?
At this stage, the event is capped at 100. With around 8-10 people on a table. Potentially, you might be sharing a table with another stranger. But that is the overall concept of Poon Choi, to bring the community together!
Our intentions are to match people of similar backgrounds as much as possible, i.e families with families.
Dietary Requirements
Please contact us directly for any dietary requirements
How do we buy a ticket?
Tickets can be purhcased here.
Feel free to contact us directly for bookings.
Our Goal
Our objective is to orchestrate a memorable Poon Choi night, laying a robust foundation for the years to come. Our aim is to foster a profound sense of unity within the vibrant Drummoyne community, encompassing all groups that partake in celebrating the Lunar New Year. Through this event, we aspire to craft a cultural experience that transcends time, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to cherish.
London Chinatown successfully ran two Poon Choi events
with the latest one on King Charles Coronation
See link for one of London Chinatown's previous Poon Choi Events