1) Why hot pot?

In Shanghai, people don’t usually eat hot pot for Lunar New Year — they cook many dishes instead.

But living in the UK, hot pot feels easier and warmer.

When the soup bubbles and everyone waits together, my son once said,

“Mom, I love this sound.”

That’s when I knew — this is our family tradition now.

2) What do we eat this year?

Egg dumplings (golden like treasure),

Fuzhou fish balls (symbol of reunion),

and crab sticks (soft, kid-friendly, and festive).

Round shapes mean togetherness. Golden color means prosperity.

3) How do we eat it?

Very slowly.

Because when food keeps cooking on the table, it’s easy to keep eating.

So I drink a cup of soy milk first — just to stay balanced.

The rest turns into simple soups over the next few days.

Hot pot is not just food.

It’s warmth, sound, and sitting together.

‍

‍