Preparations for Lunar New Year in China involve cleaning the house, decluttering, and making dumplings ahead of the first new moon of the calendar. These traditions have been passed down from Alexandria Holland’s childhood in China, where she was born and later adopted, to various parts of Asia with her parents, and now to Denver, where she owns Kochi Cafe, a tea shop located at 4100 E. 8th Ave. Holland, who learned to make dumplings as a young girl and honed her skills while living in Shanghai during high school, sees dumpling-making as a social activity that can bring people together.
Last Friday, Kochi Cafe hosted a Lunar New Year celebration where approximately 20 participants gathered to learn how to fill, wrap, boil, and enjoy dumplings. Holland had prepared vegetarian and chicken fillings for the dumplings a few nights prior, wrapping a total of 200 dumplings herself. The event attracted a diverse group of guests eager to learn about Lunar New Year traditions and to try their hand at making dumplings.
While dumplings are a popular Lunar New Year dish in China, not all Chinese people consume them during the holiday. Different regions have their own unique customs and food traditions. For Kuanrong Zhu, making dumplings with her family in Broomfield is a cherished annual tradition. She shared that they had prepared two varieties of dumplings earlier in the week: pork and shrimp with chives, and pork with napa cabbage.
At the event, guests were guided through the process of filling and folding dumplings by Holland, Shen, and Zhu. Each batch was carefully boiled, and the participants eagerly savored the freshly cooked dumplings with soy sauce and chopsticks. The homemade dumplings were a hit, with one guest expressing their appreciation for the ability to customize the fillings.
Denver has seen a rise in dumpling restaurants in recent years, catering to a growing demand for this beloved dish. At Kochi Cafe, the communal experience of making and enjoying dumplings symbolized the spirit of togetherness and celebration that defines Lunar New Year. As the event drew to a close, guests left with full stomachs and hearts, having shared in a tradition that spans cultures and continents.
