A typical Chinese meal consists of two general components: fan (lit. rice, including rice and wheat-based products) and ts’ai (lit. vegetables, including vegetable, fish, meat or other ingredients used in Chinese dishes). Rice is a fixture at every meal in many parts of China. Besides steamed or boiled rice, it is prepared in various ways and is a feature of many main entrees.

As noodles are always in the form of long strings, they are symbols of longevity in Chinese culture and are therefore indispensable at birthday and New Year parties. They are as much a part of a Chinese birthday celebration as a birthday cake with lit candles is in many countries. The longer the noodle, the longer the wish you bestow upon your guests for a long and healthy life.

Being tasty source of vitamins and minerals, pumpkins are frequently used in Chinese cooking, and are prepared in a great variety of ways, from rice, entrées, soups to dissert and dim sum