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

Chor 2 reunion dinner at Exquisite Restaurant - pan-fried big prawns, suckling pig, shark's fins soup and braised chicken in truffle sauce.

Braised abalone with broccoli, fish maw and mushrooms, clay pot lap mei rice and dessert of snow fungus + red dates + dried longan and lotus seeds.

Sunday Feasts: A Meaty Lunch and a Family Reunion

Last Sunday was a day filled with delicious food and family gatherings. For lunch, we decided to try out a new spot called Meat Attic. The menu was packed with hearty, meaty options, so we went all out and ordered their house-made sausages, a ciabatta beef sandwich, premium pork ribs that melt in the mouth (which came with a hefty RM168 price tag), and roast pork fried rice. It was a truly indulgent, porky feast—definitely not the cheapest lunch, but worth every bite.

Later that evening, we gathered with hubby's relatives for dinner at Buddies Restaurant in Cheras. His uncle's family, who were visiting from England, were the guests of honor, and it was wonderful to see everyone come together. The entire Sunday was filled with great food and even better company, making it a day to remember.

Meat Attic - Roast premium pork ribs that melt in the mouth alongside sauerkraut and fries (RM168). It looks like a small portion in the photo but the ribs were pretty chunky. We couldn't finish it and doggy-bagged the leftovers.

Meat Attic - roast pork fried rice.

Meat Attic - Ciabatta sandwich with full-bodied and flaky thick-cut salt beef.

Meat Attic - housemade garlic sausage with sauerkraut. 

Meat Attic - scallop pasta.

Meat Attic - mashed potato

Meat Attic housemade sausages. Their sausages are nitrate-free and filler-free, from plumply juicy pork bratwursts to aromatic lamb merguez.

Buddies Restaurant - pan-fried prawns, sauteed assorted vegetables, braised eggplant with minced pork, clay pot braised pork belly with salted fish.

Steamed fish, fried rice, sauteed kangkung with belacan, and pork ribs.

Claypot lamb, cha siu, and another portion of claypot pork belly with salted fish for the boys.

Hubby with his cousins from England and another cousin who just returned from the USA.

Saturday Dinner at Restoran Makanan Laut Sun Kam Kee

Last Saturday, we had dinner at Restoran Makanan Laut Sun Kam Kee. Known for its tai-chow style cooking, the restaurant consistently delivers delicious dishes at reasonable prices, making it a favorite for our family outings.

Hubby is particularly fond of their steamed village chicken with ginger sauce, a dish we've enjoyed many times during our lunch visits. This time, however, it was my first dinner at Sun Kam Kee with the girls, although, unfortunately, Sherilyn couldn't join us. She's been incredibly busy with her college assignments, dance classes, rehearsals, and active participation in her college clubs.

Hubby, familiar with the menu, ordered a variety of dishes that pleased everyone's palates:

• Steamed Village Chicken with Ginger Sauce: Tender and flavorful, this dish is a family favorite.

• Deep Fried Squids with Salted Egg Yolk: Crispy and rich, this is another favorite dish of ours, especially the girls.

• Stir-fried four-angle beans with onions, lotus root, dried shrimp, and garlic: A healthy and very flavorful vegetable dish that was a hit.

• Stir-Fried Baby French Beans: Simple yet delicious, showcasing the fresh ingredients.

• Stir-Fried Signature Meehoon: A must-try dish that never disappoints.

• Signature Steamed Fish: Fresh and perfectly cooked with preserved radish, chilies and tofu in a lovely sauce.

After our hearty dinner, we headed out for some grocery shopping. As a special treat, hubby bought the girls two tubs of Haagen Dazs ice cream and their favorite cheeses. It was a lovely way to end the evening, bringing home some sweet and sinful indulgence to enjoy later.

Dinner for the four of us.

Steamed village chicken with ginger sauce.

Deep-fried salted egg yolk squids, stir-fried four-angle beans with lotus root, stir-fried mee hoon and stir-fried baby French beans.

Steamed fish 

Wesak Day 2024: Reflecting on the Past and Embracing the Present

22 May 2024

Every May, memories of my three-week stay at Gleneagles Medical Centre in Penang fifteen years ago come flooding back. It was May 2009, and my baby Cass had just undergone major surgery. Despite the procedure, she remained unwell, continuously vomiting green bile. None of the battery of invasive scans could pinpoint the problem, and I was engulfed in worry and despair. The surgery was performed on 5 May 2009 and Wesak Day was on 9 May 2009. 

I vividly remember Wesak Day that year. Our room at GMC Penang faced the main road, and from our window, I could see the grand and colorful Wesak Day procession. There was a temple next to the hospital, and the celebration was magnificent, filled with lights, music, and vibrant decorations. However, I wasn't in the mood to appreciate it. My heart was heavy with concern for my daughter, who lay in bed, her condition still a mystery. Her tummy was so bloated that it looked like a balloon, on the verge of exploding. 

Fast Forward 15 Years: A Day of Gratitude

Fast forward to Wesak Day 2024, and my baby is now a healthy, vibrant 16-year-old. The contrast between then and now is stark, and I am filled with gratitude for the progress she has made. This Wesak Day, Cass chose to stay home to complete her school project. Alycia was at her part-time job, and Sherilyn was busy with a college assignment and two dance shoots at a shopping mall.

Hubby and I decided to have a quiet lunch together, taking advantage of the public holiday. After much deliberation, we ended up at Kenny Hills Bakers at Bukit Tunku. It was a delightful meal, just the two of us, savoring the rare opportunity to enjoy each other's company without the usual hustle and bustle of daily life.

Post-lunch, we indulged in coffee and a brownie at Wolf & Turtle Coffee. The atmosphere was cozy and perfect for a relaxing afternoon. We also picked up some takeaway cakes, peanut cookies, and a loaf of bread for the girls from Kenny Hills Bakers, ensuring they had a little treat to enjoy as well.

Having a public holiday mid-week is always refreshing. It gives a semblance of a short break, making the week feel shorter and more manageable. Despite the next day feeling like a Monday, the reality that only two more days remain until the weekend is always a pleasant surprise.

We ordered Nasi Kerabu and a Big Breakfast set at Kenny Hills Bakers.

Nasi Kerabu

Piccolo latte and brownie from Wolf & Turtle Coffee

Big Breakfast

The peanut cookies from Kenny Hills Bakers are really super yummy, with lots of crunchy peanut bits in every bite, and they're not overly sweet either.

Farewell 2023: A Month of Celebrations, Family Bonding, and Hopeful Beginnings

As the final pages of 2023 turned, our month-long journey of festivities, family gatherings, and joyous celebrations came to a close. From weddings to birthdays, Christmas to New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day, December was a tapestry woven with moments of love, laughter, and the warmth of family bonds. 

Relatives from distant corners of the world—New Zealand, England, Taiwan, and Hong Kong—graced us with their presence, turning our gatherings into reunions filled with laughter and love. 

Hubby's birthday on 30th December marked a highlight of our December festivities, celebrated at his favorite hotspot, Haidilao, Bangsar. The exceptional service and delectable hotpot offerings made for a memorable birthday feast.

This time we opted for a 4-variety of soup base for our hotpot at Haidilao.

Hubby's favorite marbled beef slices. 

New dessert spotted (so happy!).  When we went to Haidilao a few months ago, this DIY boba and jelly ice dessert wasn't available yet.

Boba and jelly bar with so many different types of boba, jellies and toppings.

Another new dessert spotted - soft-serve ice-cream in 3 flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and 2-in-1 vanilla and chocolate).

On New Year's Eve, our makan-makan journey continued at Teowchew Lao Er, a Michelin Guide-recommended Teochew porridge restaurant. Post-lunch, we indulged in desserts and drinks at Xiao By Crustz—a haven for pastry and dessert aficionados. The delicacies, almost too pretty to eat, added a sweet note to our year-end celebrations. The owner of this café is a good friend of hubby’s cousin.

Porridge at Teochew Lao Er, a porridge restaurant listed under Michelin Guide's Point of View.

Teochew desserts from Lao Er

Desserts comprise a variety of Entremets and pastries at Xiao By Crustz.

These two cuties are frozen ice-creams.

New Year's Eve dinner unfolded as a small yet heartwarming gathering at hubby's uncle's house. Relatives from near and far convened for a final celebration in 2023, sharing a feast of pizza for the younger generation, porridge, and pig stomach soup for the elders, and a variety of desserts for everyone.

As the clock struck midnight, the skies lit up with fireworks from our housing estate, creating a fitting farewell to the challenges of the past year. Though KLCC chose not to host its traditional display of grand fireworks because of global challenges, there were still fireworks in and around our neighborhood, which can be seen clearly from our unit.

I had to battle with insomnia on New Year’s Eve / wee hours of New Year’s Day as I went to bed way past my usual bedtime and also had too much caffeine circulating in my system from the endless cups of tea drank at Lao Er and at Xiao By Crustz. 

Looking ahead to 2024, my fervent prayer is for a year of better health, greater prosperity, and boundless joy for my family and yours.

May this new year be a chapter of hope, resilience, and dreams fulfilled for us all. Happy New Year!

Sourdough Brunch at Tommy Le Baker

Friday, 27 October 2023

Our Friday began with Sherilyn's dental appointment at 9:30 a.m., where she had her teeth and braces checked. Originally, I was meant to send her to the dentist, but hubby had to make a trip to Lee’s Frozen at Jalan Kg Attap to stock up for his catering events next week. He volunteered to take her to the dentist, leaving us with an unexpected opportunity for a family brunch at Tommy Le Baker.  The bakery is located opposite Lee's Frozen.

Lately, I had been yearning for a taste of crispy sourdough bread loaded with savoury fillings. Tommy Le Baker had been on my list for a while, and the stars aligned for our visit today.

Our order was an ensemble of mouthwatering sourdough sandwiches. I opted for a combination of salmon and egg mayo, while Sherilyn went for the savory beef filling. My husband, always the generous orderer, selected crispy toasted sourdough slices accompanied by generous rolls of butter and marmalade, a melted cheese sourdough sandwich, alongside a delightful quiche.  We were in sourdough heaven!

My yummy salmon and egg mayo sourdough sandwich.

Crispy sourdough slices with thick, sinful rolls of salted butter and marmalade jam. 

Quiche

Melted cheese sourdough sandwich. 

Despite our hearty appetites, we found ourselves with leftovers, so I packed them up for Cass, who’s also a sourdough fan. I added a wholesome rye, banana, and coconut muffin to sweeten her day.

Sometimes, the best moments are the ones that unfold spontaneously.

Sunday Food Indulgences

24 September 2023 ~ Brunch at O&S Restaurant, Paramount Garden, PJ

After we dropped off Cass at Sunway Pyramid today, we headed to O&S Restaurant in Paramount Garden for our hawkers' food fix.  Cass had to get her new skates fixed at the skates shop and then for figure skating practice.  The blades on her almost RM3k skates started to rust after less than a month of purchase and she freaked out. So she went back to the seller to seek a remedy as well as to get the remaining 5 screws inserted into the skates.  Alycia didn't have to work at the cafe today, so she joined us for brunch.  Sherilyn stayed home to complete her never-ending assignments.  Life as an architecture student is tough with lots of assignments to complete.

Yummy Yong Tau Foo, fried wanton and foo pei, prawn paste CCF and Char Koay Teow.

We waited for almost half an hour for these super crispy and yummy Apam Balik. It was well worth the wait.

 

A table full of our favorite food.

Alycia's in her 3rd year of uni now. Thank God she still has a partial scholarship from the uni for her 3rd year 🙏

After our hawker's food fix, we segued into Broom for desserts and coffee, as well as to get takeaway for Sherilyn and Cass. 

Lemon meringue tart.

Scone and coffee.

Mint and watermelon juice for Alycia.

Last Sunday, 17 September 2023 ~ Dinner at Red Kettle

Hubs decided to have dinner after all despite a heavy lunch at Ah Ma Jia at Bukit Jalil. He felt hungry after his basketball match and pestered us to join him for dinner at Red Kettle at 7:30 pm.  Cass and I don't eat after 5pm but when she heard that it was at Red Kettle, she changed her mind.  She had a juicy yummylicious burger and I pinched a bit of chicken chop from hubs and a bite of Cass' burger.

Best-in-the-world Portuguese egg tart from Red Kettle. This is my kryptonite and no matter how late or full I am, I can't say NO to it. I had a quarter of the tart.

Sherilyn's Fregola soup, a delicious homemade tomato soup with Sardinian fregola sarda pasta, prawns, scallops, mussels, and slices of herb & grilled bread.

Minus 4 Rum & Raisin ice-cream

Sherilyn joined us much later as she came after a dance video shoot at Pavillion KL.

Ever since Sherilyn started her Foundation in Natural & Built Environments early this month, she's been busy completing assignments and she often eats and works on her assignments simultaneously at the dining table.

Even I'm busy. Sherilyn enlisted me to help her look for plants around the neighborhood for her assignment. I took this pic and Whatsapped her but she said it's not what she wanted!