February 1 - 10, 2016 enjoy the "10 Secrets to Happiness by Chef Michael Tai" as Sofitel Manila welcomes the
Year of the Fire Monkey with an abundant feast and a selection of prosperous dishes at Manila's Largest Buffet the Spiral.
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BAKED LOBSTER | HONG KONG STYLE
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Regarded as the ‘Dragon of the Sea’, the lobster represents energy and spirit. Among the key ingredients that embody a lavish celebration, lobster is also a popular dish for weddings together with chicken as they represent the dragon and the phoenix which nurtures a good marriage.
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DEEP FRIED CRAB CLAW | PI PA STYLE
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A favorite in bountiful feasts, the crab symbolizes key benefits, prosperity and prestige and business and social standing. It also represents resoluteness similar to the hard-shelled crustacean.
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STEAMED WHOLE FISH | CANTONESE STYLE
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Fish plays a large role in Chinese festive celebrations. Its Chinese translation is pronounced similarly as the Chinese word for surplus or abundance thus symbolizing prosperity. It is important to cook and eat fish as a whole to signify a good ending and promising new beginnings to the New Year.
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BRAISED FISH MAW and BROCCOLI in OYSTER SAUCE
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Fish maw is considered one of the most valued Chinese ingredients given its nutritional value. The Chinese believe that drinking fish maw soup and eating it will improve their skin.
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CHANG SHOU MIAN | LONGEVITY NOODLES
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Chang shou mian also known as longevity noodles are available year-round however brings symbolic relevance when served during birthdays and the celebration of the Lunar New Year. Tradition notes that the longer the noodle, the longer the wish for a long and healthy life.
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Dried Oyster with Black Moss
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Dried oyster represents good business as its Cantonese translation, ‘ho si’ is pronounced similarly to the Cantonese term for good business. It embodies receptivity to good fortune, much like Black Moss or ‘fat choi’ in Cantonese which means ‘strike rich.’
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Yusheng (Raw Fish Salad)
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In Cantonese, ‘Yusheng’ or ‘yoo sang’ symbolizes abundance. This dish is usually served on ‘ren ri’ or the seventh day of the new year. The combination of condiments such as plum sauce and sesame oil with shredded fresh vegetables and raw strips of fish or seafood has become popular that it has become among the signature dishes served during festive celebrations.
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Nian Gao (Year Cake)
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Mandarin for ‘year cake’, Nian gao is a glutinous, rice-based cake that is available year-round but is traditionally served during Chinese New Year for good luck. Nian gao sounds similar to the Mandarin translation to ‘higher year’ thus signifying one’s status in the coming year. It is also a popular gift during New Year typically presented in the shape of a pair of carps representing surplus or ingots to represent wealth.
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Wok Fried King Prawn with Golden Pumpkin Egg Yolk Paste
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The prawn is among the auspicious dishes served during festive occasions. It symbolizes liveliness and joy. Locally known as ‘har’, its Chinese pronunciation sounds like ‘ha’ referring to the sound of laughter.
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Braised Pork Knuckles
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The Chinese translation for knuckles has a similar pronunciation to the term for convenient, handy or easily obtainable. In Chinese culture, it symbolizes good gambling fortune after a feast of knuckles during the Lunar New Year.
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