In Los Angeles, you can also experience the warm hospitality of “banquet-style dining” that is popular among the Taiwanese.
The Southern California branch of the World Chinese Business Women Entrepreneurs Association announced on Thursday, the 27th, that in celebration of the 115th National Day of the Republic of China, they will be hosting an event titled “Promoting Taiwan’s Banquet Culture” on September 12 at the Overseas Chinese Cultural and Educational Services Center in Los Angeles. The event will showcase representative dishes from various regions of Taiwan, allowing overseas participants to explore the lifestyle and culture of different cities in Taiwan through a variety of hometown dishes.
This year’s event, themed “One Dish, One Story, One City,” will feature 11 signature dishes and desserts from different regions of Taiwan, along with song and dance performances, cultural introductions, and a raffle draw with round trip tickets provided by China Airlines as prizes.
The President of the Southern California branch, Meng Xinyin, mentioned that after the success of last year’s inaugural banquet culture event, they are excited to host a second one this year. The goal is to introduce participants to the unique culinary characteristics and cultural memories of different regions in Taiwan, starting from the cuisine itself.
Meng Xinyin emphasized, “A table of good food not only embodies flavors but also feelings between people.” She hopes that this year’s banquet will present a story-rich, culturally significant, and heartwarming Taiwanese dining experience, allowing people overseas to feel the warmth and hospitality of Taiwanese banquet culture.
Chen Linghua, the Executive Vice President of the association, shared that for Taiwanese people, banquets are more than just meals; they symbolize reunion, sharing, and the exchange of emotions. She looks forward to using hometown flavors to connect first, second, and third-generation Taiwanese overseas, enabling different generations to rediscover Taiwan through the dining table and introducing more Americans to Taiwanese culture.
The event organizer, Chen Yingqin, revealed that this year’s menu features iconic flavors from various regions in Taiwan, prepared with fresh ingredients, and includes an additional dish compared to last year.
The menu consists of a “Blessings Platter” composed of Taiwanese-style BBQ pork, Five-Spice Clams, Shaoxing Drunken Chicken, Marinated Jellyfish, and Braised Beef Shank; main dishes include Steamed Cod, Peanut Pig’s Feet with Kinmen Noodles, Seafood Casserole in Coffin Bread, Three-Cup Tofu Medley, and Classic Lu Rou Pork.
Furthermore, there are dishes like Penghu Wild Vegetable Squid Ball Soup, Sakura Shrimp Rice Cakes, Fruit Platter, Burnt Mochi Duo, and Red Bean Rice Cakes as desserts, offering a glimpse into Taiwan’s diverse regional culinary culture, ranging from seafood, rice dishes, to traditional sweets.
Chen Yingqin hopes that participants will not only “enjoy a table of food” but also gain an understanding of the culinary specialties from different regions in Taiwan and experience the local stories behind each dish.
Zhang Haojun, the Director of the Overseas Chinese Cultural and Educational Services Center in Los Angeles, stated that the outdoor event will ensure enhanced canopy coverage and provide drinking water to create a safe and comfortable environment for attendees to enjoy food and performances.
Taiwan Presidential Office National Policy Advisor Tian Yihong expressed hope that through food, music, and cultural activities, the event can bring together the overseas Taiwanese community and provide an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to engage with Taiwanese culture.
Artistic Director Lai Yangxuan mentioned that the event will commence with a performance by the Los Angeles Lion Dance Troupe and feature multiple singing competition champions performing Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English songs. There will also be ethnic folk dances, classical dances, and belly dancing performances, transforming the banquet experience into a showcase of Taiwanese culture beyond just taste.
President of the Board of Directors, Jiang Ruiying, expressed gratitude to the individuals, organizations, and businesses participating in sponsorship, highlighting that the success of the event, from planning to execution, relies on the collective contributions and efforts of various sectors.
This year’s event will feature 16 tables and is expected to host around 180 attendees. Each food ticket costs $120 and allows guests to savor all dishes and desserts, with the ticket also serving as a raffle entry for a chance to win round-trip tickets provided by China Airlines.
Check-in for the event will start at 12 p.m. on September 12, with the meal beginning at 12:30 p.m. The venue will be the Overseas Chinese Cultural and Educational Services Center in Los Angeles.
Interested participants can contact the Executive Secretary Wang Shaojia at phone number 626-758-0159 or via email at event.gfcbwscc@gmail.com.