Eight Bowls of Northern Shaanxi

Eight Bowls of Northern Shaanxi

　　The Eight Bowls represent the finest dishes that the simple folk of northern Shaanxi can enjoy in their lifetime. Northern Shaanxi is a land abundant in grains and cereals. Normally, the locals are not fond of stir-fried dishes—when they do eat meat, it is almost always stewed. They have a natural preference for hearty stews that combine both meat and vegetables, which are not only nutritious but also comforting to the stomach. However, on New Year’s Eve, the people of northern Shaanxi suddenly become more particular. That morning, they eat fried oil cakes, and that evening, every household enjoys the Eight Bowls.

　　A small portion of the pork and lamb is set aside, while the majority is boiled together in one pot. Then, on the afternoon of New Year’s Day, this meat—including pork, lamb, as well as chicken, rabbit, and other meats—is transformed into eight distinct meat dishes, each served in its own bowl. These are then neatly arranged on a square wooden tray and brought to the heated kang (a traditional bed-stove), where the whole family takes turns savoring each dish. This is how the people of northern Shaanxi enjoy the Eight Bowls.

　　The Eight Bowls are typically enjoyed just once a year. While the night of the sixth day of the first lunar month is considered Little New Year, celebrated in a manner similar to the big New Year, it is still not as grand. As a result, after the main New Year celebrations (New Year’s Eve), most people don’t expect to have the Eight Bowls again.