Health Freak Mommy: A Slightly Different Chinese New Year 2025

Sunday, February 2, 2025

A Slightly Different Chinese New Year 2025

This year's Chinese New Year (CNY) was slightly different from our usual tradition. Typically, we travel back to Ipoh on CNY Eve or the first day of CNY. However, with my hubby needing to work on the first day, we only made the trip on the second day of CNY. While it felt a little strange not kicking off the new year in Ipoh, the celebrations were still filled with family, food, and treasured moments.

A Vegetarian Tradition

On the first day of CNY, instead of my mother-in-law preparing her customary vegetarian dish at home, this year, my hubby's Aunt Wendy volunteered to host the gathering at her house. Ever since I married into this family, this vegetarian dish has been a cherished part of the first day of CNY. In my own family—the Yong family—we have a similar tradition but with vegetarian fried meehoon. My late paternal grandmother used to make the most delicious version of it (with a soy sauce dipping of fresh shallots, chillies and sand ginger), and ever since she passed away, my papa has carried on the tradition.

While it was lovely to have the gathering with hubby’s family in KL, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for the times we spent in Ipoh on the Eve and first day of CNY. Hopefully, next year we can revive this tradition, though it will depend on the SPM exam dates since Cass will be sitting for her exams. If the dates fall around CNY, we’ll have to stay put in KL.

Journey to Ipoh on the 2nd Day

We left KL at 8:30 am on the second day of CNY and were grateful for the smooth traffic on the highway. The drive took only 2 hours and 10 minutes, which was a relief. Alycia and Sherilyn opted to take the train instead—Sherilyn, still nursing her backache, preferred the comfort of a train ride over a car journey.

Upon arriving in Ipoh, we dropped off Haru at my parents' house. After setting up her litter box and making sure she was comfortable, we headed straight to the Stadium food court to hunt for brunch. While many stalls were closed for the holidays, we still managed to enjoy a variety of local delights: porridge with pig innards, meehoon in tomato soup with pork chop, fried fish and pork paste, Pai Ti with braised turnip, Tosei, Indian rice with dishes, and refreshing Ice Kacang.

Family Favorites and Reunion Dinner

After brunch, we collected Sherilyn's birthday cake from JJ Swissroll in town. Then we made quick stops at the famous Woong Kee bean curd stall to get takeaway tau fu far and Yoke Fook Moon restaurant for dim sum for those at home.

Our reunion dinner that evening was at Exquisite Restaurant again (we had it in this restaurant too last year), where we indulged in an 8-course feast, including the traditional Yee Sang toss. Sharing this meal with my parents and brothers was one of my favorite moments of the day. These family meals remind me how precious our time together is, and I cherish the laughter and love shared around the table.

Reflecting on Family and Traditions

CNY 2025 may have been slightly different, but it was still filled with heartwarming traditions, delicious food, and the company of loved ones. I hope for many more such celebrations in the coming years, where I can continue to share meals and memories with my parents, brothers, and my own growing family. Here's to keeping traditions alive while embracing new changes as life evolves. Wishing everyone a prosperous and joyous Year of the Ssssnake!

Lunch of 'Jai' (vegetarian dish) on Chor 1 at aunt Wendy's house (two units below ours).

From the Stadium food court - Indian Nasi Padang, chicken chop, tosei and Pai Ti.

From the Stadium Food Court - Ice Kacang, porridge with pig innards, fried fish & pork paste, tomato soup mee hoon with pork chop.

Stadium food court - many stalls, including all of our favorites, were closed.

At the Woong Kee bean curd stall to get takeaway silky smooth tau fu far with tong yuen.
Address: 32-38A, Jalan Ali Pitchay, Taman Jubilee, 30250 Ipoh, Perak