Dishing up 2017

Free-range eggs at the Coop pop-up at Beijing's Hatchery. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Other observers suggest, however, that China will be the Next Big Thing in food porn: "egg porn".

"The Year of the Rooster will undoubtedly be the launchpad for all manner of poultry and egg dishes at restaurants all around the world," writes one. Eggs－and chicken－are getting lots of play on new menus from top chefs.

The Chinese zodiac doesn't always invite creativity in the kitchen.

Asked what will be on her table for Chinese New Year's Eve, cookbook author Fuchsia Dunlop says, "I usually like to do something that has to do with the year, so chicken." The just-ending Year of the Monkey wasn't so easy to work with, though she marked the occasion by preparing chicken steam pot with monkey-head mushrooms.

Several importers and food distributors in China say we can expect a big push for quality seafood around the country. Good news for salmon lovers: Mending relations between China and Norway should make salmon from that country more available and less expensive. Meanwhile, ongoing food safety concerns mean that foods with a claim to be organic or natural will continue to grow in popularity.

Health-conscious eating habits will make new fans of cauliflower, chef Pitts predicts.