It’s customary, especially in North China, to eat Laba Congee. It’s a combination of rice, beans, nuts and dates. The festival is linked to both the new harvest and Buddhism. Buddhist temples dish out porridge to the public. People prepare Laba garlic, by putting cloves in vinegar to steep until they turn green.

There are also Laba noodles, and Laba Tofu. As Laba falls in the last lunar month, it serves as a prelude for the Lunar New Year.