Reunion Dinner – 團圓飯 – tuán yuán fan

This literally means “Reunion Rice”, it is the big dinner Chinese  people eat on New Year’s Eve.  It is considered one of the most important events for Chinese New Year.  It is translated as Reunion Meal, as all the family members would make a special effort to make this dinner, so that the family is once again united before the New Year.  It is a symbol of strength and unity of the family.

As mentioned from my previous post, I have a big family.  Even now that I am married, I still make a point to go back to my parent’s house for this dinner.  This becomes a juggling art, as we will also need to have dinner with my in-laws as well.  We will usually have an extra early dinner with my in-laws, then head to my parent’s house for a second meal,  and then a sleepover.  This is definitely the beauty and the difficulty of having all family members relatively close by.  I am sure this doesn’t sound all that unfamiliar with most of you, as Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are probably handled in a similar manner.  It’s crazy, but it is all good time.