Spring Day in China and Chun Bing

Spring Day (立春) is one of the twenty-four “solar terms” in Chinese tradition. It is called ‘Li Chun’, ‘Li’(4) in traditional Chinese terms means ‘begin’, ‘Chun’ here refers to Spring. It means from this day onwards, the spring is beginning. It is normally on the 4th February each year.

The beginning of the New Year

The Chinese have an old proverb: “Make your whole year’s plan in the spring and the whole day’s plan in the morning,” where the importance of the “Start of Spring” was fully demonstrated. Lichun is always an important festival for the Chinese people and there are quite a number of rituals or celebrations to mark the day.

In ancient days, local governments would usually sent an errand to herald the coming of the spring, distributing pictures and calligraphies with cows or some encouraging lines. People would also greet each other with clay sculptures of cows. Cows represents farming and was a good sign in the spring.

It was also a time for women to decorate the house and themselves. They would made sparrow-like paper cuts and hairpins with colorful paper or cloth, put them on windows and wear them in the hair.

The food for celebrating the Spring Day is called ‘Chun bing’(春饼), as in ‘Spring flatbread’. It is actually really simple — very thin soft flatbread rolled up with different fillings. 

Here's how to make it:

1. Blanch chives, bean sprouts and glass noodles.

2. Shred pork, potato and chilli.

3.Evenly brush a bit oil on one of the dumpling wrapper. Cover the oily surface by another wrapper. Repeat. Roll the wrappers couple of times by using a rolling pin, make them a little bit bigger.

4. Steam for 5 mins.

5. Marinade pork tenderloin with a spoonful of starch, white pepper and an egg. Let it sit for 10 mins.

6. Stir-fry pork on high heat.

7. Fry until golden brown. Add light and dark soysauce to adjust flavor and color.

8. Stir fry evenly. Transfer out.

9. Add more oil to the wok. When the oil temperature is 70%, add shredded chilies and stir fry quickly

10.  Add ginger, leek and garlic. Pour vegetables in together with fried pork. Toss and add more spice to taste.

11. Serve with steamed flatbread. 

12. Rich flavors within each bite. Enjoy!

(Images from Internet)