- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 3
Last Friday, CINGS (China Institute Next Gen x The Serica Initiative) rang in the Year of the Fire Horse with 馬Ma-Jong & Games, a high-energy Lunar New Year celebration at the China Institute! Despite the frigid NYC night, the room was packed with over 120 guests ready to play, connect, and celebrate.
The evening kicked off with a brief intro from Frank Huang of China Institute, Andrea Louie of Serica, and Brandon from CINGS, your main hosts for the evening! The we passed it over to Ruoyi Jiang of Chop Suey Club for a brief Mahjong history talk and beginner lesson, welcoming first-timers into the world of Hong Kong–style Mahjong. More than 50 guests learned Mahjong, jumping straight into guided play and open gaming that continued all night long.
All night the space buzzed with activity. In addition to Mahjong tables filling the room, guests gathered around a lively poker table hosted by our Chief Development Officer, Lucy Yang, cheered on friends at the horse racing game, and bounced between games with ease. DJ SHUYÎN kept the energy high while players tested their luck and skills across the floor.
One of the most exciting moments of the night? Stuffed hongbao prizes throughout the games—each containing up to $20—thanks to the generosity of CINGS President Brandon, whose donation added an extra thrill to every win. Lucky Mahjong champions also walked away with prizes from our vendors, including Junzi Kitchen and Miiasoey, rewarding sharp strategy and a little good fortune.
Food and drinks flowed throughout the evening, with delicious dumplings from Junzi Kitchen and dim sum & noodles from The China Institute Culinary Center and beverages provided by Lunar, Makku, and Big Apple Wines.
At the vendor area, guests lined up for a surprise hit of the night: pulse readings and tongue readings from Victoria of Astro Acupuncture and Andrew Huey of Eternal Lillie Acupuncture, whose table quickly became one of the most popular stops and had long lines of eager guests!
We were thrilled to be sponsored by an incredible lineup of vendors and partners, including 50Hertz Tingly Foods, who brought the má麻 to Mahjong with their delicious peanut & cashew snacks, and offered guests a special 15% off code: PLAYWITHMA15
Head to https://50hertzfoods.com/ right now to get more delicious snacks and oils for your next mahjong party!
Support our Sponsors!
Huge thanks to our creative vendors Miiasoey, SEW-X Art, Needs Theory, and Tin Clucludie Creatures, Edgycated, VVPortfolio and the Taoist Association of New York for adding art, play, and personality to the room.
A heartfelt thank you as well to the Culinary Center at the China Institute and its event team for their care, attention, and seamless support throughout the evening.
From first-time Mahjong players to seasoned game lovers, Ma-Jong & Games delivered exactly what we hoped for: joyful play, meaningful connection, and a celebration that felt both modern and rooted in tradition. We can’t wait to do it again.
If you'd like to become a member of CINGS, the deadline to apply for our next membership cohort is February 13, 2026. You can find applicant requirements and a link to the application form here. Members participate in philanthropic initiatives and exclusive business and cultural programming. Additional benefits include free or discounted tickets to our public events (such as last week’s party) and our parent organizations’ programs.
📸 See photos and relive the night here:
