My Big Fat Chinese Banquet

On Saturday, I attended my first "Chinese Banquet" at Empress Pavilion in the heart of Los Angeles' Chinatown. I was very excited, since I have only ever been to Chinese banquets as a wedding guest before and this was my first time attending a Chinese banquet as a new member of my Chinese family. It was also the first time I met several of my hubby's Chinese relatives who didn't make the cut for our wedding invite list.

The festivities began with some very loud music generated by half dressed men, and dancing dragons (with adorable little kids inside). I especially liked when they would come up close and wink a googly eye at me.

Then there were the first of many raffle prizes. I was sad about not winning anything until someone at our table won. She opened up her lovely wrapped package to discover she was the proud owner of a brand new box of Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn! Random.

By the time the first course came we were all starving. It was sort of a sampler platter with thinly sliced beef heart, sea cucumber, duck and barbecued pork. My hubby loooooved the beef heart--he loves all meats organ. Lucky for him there was plenty left (but not much else) when the dish finally made its way toward us.

Next is my all time favorite Chinese banquet food dish. It would not be a Chinese banquet without these yummy walnut shrimp. Luckily, after devouring the first course before I could get a bite, the other guests realized they were starving the pregnant lady and began letting me serve myself before snatching up all the food on the lazy Susan, so I was actually able to catch a picture of a full platter!

The next course was surprisingly good---much better than it looked. It was asparagus, calamari and scallops and lucky for me, it was not as popular with the other guests at my table so I finally got to fill my aching tummy!

Next was a dish that somewhat resembled kung pao beef, but it had macadamia nuts, which I have never had in a Chinese dish before. I thought it was okay, but the other guests ate it up lickety split, so all I got was a shot of my own plate, which only had food on it because my hubby wrestled the lazy Susan away from the other guests to serve me some before it was gone. He was so sweet about making sure baby got fed!

Next was the sharkfin soup. It looked like egg drop soup, but it was a lot slimier and tasted fishy. I thought it was okay--especially once I doctored it up with chili garlic sauce. It needed salt.

Next was Peking Duck with some doughy stuff. My hubby's cousin was heartbroken because apparently it looked like something else at first and that other something was his favorite. But everyone agreed the duck was terrific. I didn't touch this dish myself--no matter how delicious duck looks, I just don't like the taste. Everyone at my table was happy, because this was a crowd favorite.

This dish I loved. It was roasted chicken--very juicy and tender, with these yummy fried thing-a-me-bobs. I ate almost all of the friend thing-a-me-bobs myself since nobody else seemed to share my passion for their greasy goodness!

This was another dish that was so popular with the other guests that they forgot to give me a chance to take a pic of it before it was almost all gone. Apparently, people really love those pea pod thingies and the breaded ried cod. I loved the lighter cod from the center of the dish and there was plenty left for me.

By the time the stir fried rice arrived, we were all reeling from eating so many courses. But my hubby once again filled my plate so I could not resist--Empress Pavilian makes decent fried rice!

I did not expect to like dessert. I normally do not care for Chinese desserts and especially jello or custard-type concoctions, but my hubby was looking forward to this dessert all week, so I decided to give it a shot. This mango custard dessert was surprisingly delish!

I think I just got full again running through all this. I forgot how much I ate! I learned a valuable lesson at my first Big Fat Chinese Banquent. Since it lasts so long and my new family eats so much, I shouldn't go too hungry. It took about four hours total, and for the first couple of hours there was no food served. Then, when it was served, the more aggressive eaters snatch up the food before sharing. All of ooour platters went back to the kitchen licked clean, while other tables took home doggie bags. We're a family of big eaters!

I am a little bummed that I won't be able to make it to the annual Chinese cemetary picnic this Saturday, since I am back on strict bed rest. I was looking forward to the roasted pork, white bread, 7 up and orange slices that are apparently the tradition. I was also looking forward to bringing grandpa 7 and 7, since you are supposed to bring something that the deceased loved to eat or drink and that man apparently LOVED to drink. Grandpa, if you can hear me, I will hook you up next year, I promise!