A Jewish Tradition: 8 Chinese Takeout-Inspired Recipes for Christmas Day

While brisket, latkes and doughnuts are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah, Chinese food is the unspoken equivalent on Christmas.

For those of you who are wondering: Why is eating Chinese food on Christmas a Jewish tradition? The simple answer: Chinese restaurants are usually the only ones open for business. This means slick tangles of lo mein, piles of bulging dumplings, and, of course, sticky-salty-sweet kung pao chicken. It’s a feast of a different order -- but a feast worthy of celebration.

We rounded up a medley of (lucky number) 8 classic Chinese American and even Chinese-Jewish recipes from around the web for you here to partake in this cross-cultural culinary experience in the comfort of your own home.

My Mother's Famous Chinese Egg Rolls by Steamy Kitchen

 

Shredded Pork and Chinese Celery Lo Mein by thirschfeld

 

Sesame Beef and Broccoli from Appetite for China

 

Gong Bao Ji Ding (Gong Bao Chicken) by FrancesRenHuang

 

Kung Pao Shrimp from Appetite for China

 

Matzoh-Crusted General Gau's Tofu from Serious Eats

 

Chinese Almond Cookies from Simply Recipes

 

Red Bean Rugelach from Serious Eats

For more of Appetite for China's recipes, check out her brand new cookbook devoted to the topic: The Chinese Take-Out Cookbook.

Alternatively, if you're in NYC and curious to try some of Chichi Wang's Chinese-Jewish dishes on Christmas Eve, she will be at the helm of the kitchen at the Queens Kickshaw in Astoria serving up dinner and noshes for Woks and Lox, the second annual Jewish and Chinese Christmas celebration. Grab a ticket here.