Karen Chen (‘23), Shanghai, China 

Karen is from Shanghai and is looking forward to the extravagant New Year’s Eve feast, the beloved 年夜饭 (nian ye fan). As Covid is more controlled in Shanghai, Karen’s plans are not compromised at all, she plans to eat at a nice Shanghainese restaurant with the majority of her extended family. She particularly loves 年糕 (nian gao), a dish that translates to “year cake”, significant and eaten by most people during New Year’s. It is a rice cake that can come in the form of savory stir fry, or a steamed sweet fish shaped dessert. 

“I love it so much that it has become a staple at our 年夜饭,” Karen said. “I can never get enough of it.”