Braised Oyster with Black Sea Moss in Oyster sauce for good luck in business. (Photo by RUDY LIWANAG)

Nobody knows how to attract good luck better than the Chinese. There are many popular customs that even the most modern of cosmopolites observe in order to be a magnet for good fortune, and these have traditional Chinese origins. Among them are Feng Shui, the use of charms and crystals, numerology readings, and even mundane things such as not shelling out big amounts of money on Mondays, for fear that it would set the tone for the rest of the week.

But it is during the Chinese New Year celebrations that luck-hunters go all out. There is a myriad of practices that are connected with this auspicious date that many try their best to stick to, in order to get lucky. These include distributing ang paos or red money packets as gifts, gifting friends and relatives with lucky tikoy, popping firecrackers, beating gongs and drums, and holding lion and dragon dances to drive evil spirits away, and of course, having a lavish banquet to celebrate the propitious occasion. The banquet itself holds special meaning, as delectable and often dizzyingly complicated foods that are considered to be favorable fortune harbingers are served.

Lucky Lauriat

And in celebration of the Tiger year, The Mabuhay Palace at the Manila Hotel is offering carefully crafted lucky dishes especially for those who are in pursuit of swerte. This relatively new restaurant located at one of the oldest historical landmarks in Manila is presenting four special menus that are composed of dishes that are said to bring about prosperity for the New Year.

Chef Josephine Yu Tangangco – Candelaria enumerates some of the dishes spread out across the four menu sets and how they are considered as lucky foods. “The oysters, which we use with our dish, Braised Oyster with Black Sea Moss in Oyster sauce, are said to be lucky because of their shape and because the Chinese name sounds like wealth; the hair moss is a type of seaweed also prized for good luck because they look like hair, and symbolizes continuous growth. This dish combination is said to bring about luck in business.”        

The two-way scallops dish requires less explanation, because the large scallops are made to look like the appearance of silver and gold coins. The extra fresh Steamed Lapu Lapu, which is presented whole, and then deboned, symbolizes surplus or abundance.

Then there is the Prosperity Salad, which is food that one can play with, as diners are encouraged to toss the salad components as high in the air as they can. The belief is that the higher one tosses the salad, the more prosperity and luck that he or she invites. The ingredients in the salad have special meanings too: Pomelo for wealth, chicken for family togetherness, duck for luck, and walnuts for prosperity.

To cap it all off with a bang, comes the traditional Tikoy, which signifies a prosperous year. The Mabuhay Palace Tikoy comes in almond, yam, and water chestnut varieties, and in an intriguing pineapple shape, which is also considered as a symbol of wealth, fortune, and prosperity.

First-class cuisine

Good vibrations aside, the dishes in themselves are excellent and definitely enjoyable. The Braised Shark’s Fin soup -- which is said to double as a health tonic -- was unforgettable, especially with a dollop of black vinegar. And unlike shark’s fin items found in other establishments, the Mabuhay Palace version offers bigger, tastier chunks of the delicacy.

The Black Sea Moss that comes with the Braised Oyster had a very delightful texture, one that even kids are sure to love. The “gold” scallops in their Two-Way dish were perfect:  crunchy on the outside, but moist and tender on the inside. The steamed Lapu-Lapu flakes easily, melts in the mouth, and is perfectly complemented by an equally delicate sauce.

The water chestnut Tikoy is superb, not oily, and firm with enough bite into it.  And although it is not included in the set menu, ordering a scoop (or two) of the Mabuhay Palace’s signature dessert – the Salted Egg Ice Cream is strongly recommended. The combination is brilliant, with the salted egg texture and flavor seamlessly complimented by the creaminess of the dairy base.

To add to the festivities that are sure to take place in your palate, the Manila Hotel also has also prepared a Lion Dance and firecracker display on Chinese New Year’s Day. For more information, log on to www.manila-hotel.com.ph.