Reunion Dish

Reunion Dish

　　The "Reunion Dish" is the colloquial name for "He Cai" (Mixed Dish), an ethnic dish traditionally prepared by every Tujia family during the Lunar New Year. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty's Jiajing era, when Tujia chieftains sent troops to fight against Japanese pirates, soldiers cooked this mixed dish early to celebrate the New Year without delaying military operations. The dish is made by simmering radish, tofu, Chinese cabbage, scallions, pork, and strips of red chili in a single pot, resulting in the "Mixed Dish." Besides being delicious, it also carries deeper meaning. It symbolizes a bountiful harvest and family reunion, while reflecting the Tujia people’s enduring respect for their ancestors’ glorious traditions. (Zhangjiajie)