To celebrate Chinese New Year, which begins on 29 January 2025, the eighth edition of China Taste will be held in the city from mid-January to mid-February (exact dates to be confirmed). This pioneering gastronomic event is backed by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Cultural Centre of China in Madrid, Madrid City Council and the Community of Madrid to celebrate the Year of the Snake in 2025.
To showcase the rich diversity of Chinese cuisine and promote awareness, the city hosts culinary workshops at select restaurants renowned for their premium ingredients and extensive wine selections. Dedicated staff curate special menus, ensuring a delightful experience for diners to relish authentic dishes throughout the month, all at accessible prices.
In 2024, 17 restaurants which stand out for the high quality of their products and the professional service offered to clients, took part, including Asia Té, Bao Li, El Buda Feliz 1974, El Bund, China Crown, Chi-La, Chunli, Dim Sum Market, Gran Café Shanghai, Hutong, Kököchin, Kzen, Lelong Asian Club, Mítiko Asian Experience, Le Petit Dimsum (Galería Canalejas) and Xiaolongkan.
China boasts a varied gastronomic culture which can be discovered through its eight culinary styles or schools (Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan and Anhui). In this respect, China Taste aims to bring cuisine from the Asian giant closer through participating establishments.
Getting involved in this gastronomic festival has the added value of collaborating with the Red Cross NGO. For every menu ordered, China Taste will make a donation to support the charity projects undertaken by this organisation.
This culinary festival is usually complemented by showcooking sessions at the China stand at the annual FITUR fair.
The most important dinner in China
Chinese New Year coincides with the first day of the lunar calendar, which is different from the solar calendar. Therefore, the date of Chinese New Year varies each year. In 2025, it will begin on 29 January. Chinese New Year celebrations always kick off on the eve of the festival and come to a close with the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. According to the Chinese horoscope, each year is assigned an animal, and 2025 corresponds to the Year of the Snake.
New Year's Day is a very special day for the Chinese, as families gather around the table and the food is full of symbolism. Many people travel from far and wide to return to their parents' homes to share the joy of this special date. Furthermore, New Year's dinner represents hope for a year full of prosperity and abundance.
It is traditional to serve a wide variety of dishes at this dinner. Many of them represent good luck, abundance and wealth, in addition to health and longevity. Fish, served in a single piece, symbolises "unity", long noodles mean "long life" and chicken symbolises "good luck". Each region also has its own "special dish", which is traditionally served on this day. For example, Chinese ravioli, better known as dim sum, are a must in the north, and glutinous rice cakes known as niangao are popular in the south.
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