On Sunday, January 29, the annual Lunar Banquet was held at Ruutz-Rees Commons from 6:00 to 7:30. The banquet was hosted by the Chinese Club, Choate Korea Friendship Association, Asian Students Association and the Japanese Club. Various kinds of Lunar celebration foods were served along with the entertaining performance by Asian Cultural Dance Club and the Mr. Bradley’s children. The celebration was particularly in honor of the Chinese New Year, which, this year, is the Year of the Dog.

The Lunar Banquet welcomed its 160 guests with Japanese appetizers such as inari-sushi (vinegared rice and vegetables wrapped in a fried egg wrapping) and flavored rice balls with salmon and vegetables, along with Chinese dumplings. At the start of the banquet, the Chinese Club’s officers, Charlotte Wuisan ‘07 and Anne Cheng ‘07, gave a presentation of Chinese Lunar celebration. Both officers meticulously presented various symbols of “good luck” in Chinese culture.

The food was served buffet style. A variety of Chinese dishes, including General Tsao’s Chicken, Pork and Vegetable Fried Rice and white rice were served. Korean dishes included bulgogi (Korean style barbeque beef) and dduk boki (spicy rice cakes). 

One of the guests, Wafa Alsayed ‘07 commented, “I liked the setting of the banquet where you could taste different types of food from different cultures. I especially enjoyed ddok boki.”

During the banquet, the members of Asian Cultural Dance Club performed the Vietnamese dance to the song “The Lunar Moon” by Nhu Quynh. With graceful choreography using exotic feather fans and delicate hand movements, the dancers received enthusiastic responses from the guests.

One of the dancers, Nicole Leung ‘07 said, “I thought the performance went really well. It was our first performances so I’m sure there will be better ones to come.” After the Vietnamese dance, Mr. Bradley’s children performed a martial arts demonstration. Despite their young age, Mr. Bradley’s children marveled the crowds with charismatic and powerful movements. One of the guests, Aeri Kwon ‘08 exclaimed, “They were so cute and the performance was amazing.”

The Lunar Banquet ended after the tasty Korean dessert, Ddok (flavored rice cake), was served. The hosts of the banquet received a round of applause from the well-fed guests. Choate science teacher Ms. Fran O’Donoghue said, “I thought the banquet was awesome. Organization was very good and the tone of the dinner was excellent. And the enthusiasm by both participants and the hosts were outstanding.” One of the presidents of CKFA, Jae Kim ‘06 also expressed his satisfaction of the turnout. “This year’s was by far the best Lunar Banquet in my four years at Choate.”