Celebrating Chinese New Year, which begins on 17 February 2026, the ninth edition of China Taste will be taking place from early to late February. This ground-breaking culinary event promoted by the Chinese Embassy, the China Cultural Centre in Madrid, Madrid City Council and the Regional Government will be celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Horse in 2026.
To celebrate and promote China’s rich culinary tradition, this festival is being held in conjunction with Chinese restaurants throughout Madrid that are known for their use of high quality ingredients, excellent wine menus and efficient service. They have designed a special menu for the occasion that you can enjoy at all participating restaurants for a month at very reasonable prices.
China has a broad culinary culture classified into eight culinary styles or schools (Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan and Anhui). China Taste aims to make people more familiar with Chinese cuisine through the participating restaurants.
This culinary festival has also partnered with the Spanish Red Cross, which gives it even greater added value. For each menu, China Taste will make a donation to projects run by the charity organisation.
The most important dinner in China
Chinese New Year coincides with the first day of the lunar calendar, which is different from the solar calendar. Therefore, the date of Chinese New Year varies each year. In 2026, it will begin on 17 February. Chinese New Year celebrations always kick off on the eve of the festival and come to a close with the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. According to the Chinese horoscope, each year is assigned an animal, and 2026 corresponds to the Year of the Horse.
New Year's Day is a very special day for the Chinese, as families gather around the table and the food is full of symbolism. Many people travel from far and wide to return to their parents' homes to share the joy of this special date. Furthermore, New Year's dinner represents hope for a year full of prosperity and abundance.
It is traditional to serve a wide variety of dishes at this dinner. Many of them represent good luck, abundance and wealth, in addition to health and longevity. Fish, served in a single piece, symbolises "unity", long noodles mean "long life" and chicken symbolises "good luck". Each region also has its own "special dish", which is traditionally served on this day. For example, Chinese ravioli, better known as dim sum, are a must in the north, and glutinous rice cakes known as niangao are popular in the south.
