CNY felt different this year — in the best way. For the first time in years, I’m celebrating the entire 2 weeks of CNY back in my hometown, and with that came something I didn’t realise I had been missing so deeply: family reunions.
For so long, I missed gatherings with my dad’s siblings — my uncles, aunties, and cousins. Life in KL made those moments rare. But this year, I had it all again. I saw relatives I hadn’t met in years, and there was something incredibly heartwarming about picking up conversations as if no time had passed.
On the 2nd day of CNY, my girls suggested Korean food for dinner. Alycia did a quick Google search and found Daorae Korean BBQ Restaurant, which is just a short drive from my parents’ house. I later learned that Daorae is the largest Korean restaurant chain in Malaysia, with 11 outlets nationwide. Dinner was fantastic — sizzling meats, warm soups, ginseng chicken soup, endless side dishes — but what made it truly special was having all three of my girls around the table with me. Moments like that feel extra precious these days. They returned to KL with their dad the very next day, and the house felt noticeably quieter.
On the 4th day of CNY, my cousin from Cameron Highlands treated us to a sumptuous lunch at San Poh Restaurant in Pasir Pinji. The food was wonderful, but what made it memorable was the laughter and the endless catching up with cousins I hadn’t seen in years.
Growing up, until my early twenties, my dad would take us up to Cameron Highlands every CNY. I used to dread those trips — the winding mountain roads gave me terrible motion sickness, and I often ended up throwing up. When I moved to KL, I was honestly relieved that those trips stopped.
But funny how life comes full circle.
Now, I find myself missing those journeys — the reunion dinners, the noisy gatherings, the simple joy of being surrounded by cousins, uncles, and aunties. The things we once took for granted often become the memories we cherish most.
This CNY reminded me that while traditions may change, what truly matters is being present — whether around a steamboat table in Cameron Highlands, a Korean BBQ grill near my childhood home, or a round table filled with relatives and stories.
What’s a CNY tradition you once had that you now miss? 💛
Watch the video of the celebration here > https://www.facebook.com/reel/1423764812345001
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