10 things I love about chinese new year

Peter Ho, the London-based Singaporean-Chinese executive chef of MiMi Mei Fair, tells us what makes Chinese New Year celebrations so special for him

- Peter Ho

Peter started his culinary career at his family's Chinese restaurant in Singapore, where his father taught him the fine art of carving meats during the school holidays. In 2013, he made the move to London to join the Hakkasan Group, before helming the kitchen at MiMi Mei Fair in 2021. Peter's dishes take inspiration from Singapore, as well as Hong Kong and mainland China.

1 Red envelopes, blessings and tangerines

On the first day of the new year, we wake up early and wear new clothes from head to toe to symbolise a new beginning of a good year. We take turns to pay respects to our elders by offering two tangerines and giving auspicious new year greetings. In return, we receive red envelopes of money as a blessing.

2 All-night mahjong

Mahjong is a Chinese game for four players seated around a square table, which we have always played during Chinese New Year in my household. Each player is given mahjong tiles with different characters and suits. The tiles are shuffled noisily at the beginning of every game, knocking against each other, creating an atmosphere of liveliness in the home. Often, this game goes on through the night, and snacks such as the ones below are eaten to keep stamina up.

3 Chinese New Year snacks

A week before celebrations begin, my mother and sisters would be busy making snacks for our guests. These snacks include 'love letters' (crêpes), sweet rice cakes, pineapple tarts, almond tarts, peanut cookies and shrimp sambal mini spring rolls.

4 Firecrackers for sparkailers

Children play with firecrackers or sparklers throughout the 15 days of celebration. This tradition is to symbolise warding off bad energy and evil spirits. It is very noisy.

5 Bak kwa