How My 83-Year-Old Dad Cooks Our Childhood Whole Winter Melon Stew | Traditional Family Recipe

This double boiled whole winter melon is more than just a dish in our home — it’s a family tradition.

My 83-year-old dad is cooking a recipe that was passed down from my late maternal grandmother over 50 years ago. We grew up eating this comforting, old-school Chinese home dish, and every time it’s on the table, it feels like childhood all over again.

Winter melon is considered a yin food in traditional Chinese medicine, known for its cooling and alkaline properties that help balance and neutralize heat in the body. It’s nourishing, light, and perfect for the whole family.

We start by washing the whole winter melon thoroughly, cutting off the top, and removing the seeds. Then we stir-fry garlic, onions, shiitake mushrooms, chicken, dried cuttlefish, and other ingredients until fragrant. Seasoned with soy sauce and oyster sauce, the savory filling is stuffed into the melon before slow-cooking for 3–4 hours until everything becomes tender and flavorful.

The result? A unique, hearty, and deeply comforting dish that tastes like home.

Simple ingredients. Old memories. Timeless flavors. ❤️

Watch the video on how my dad cooks this dish here > https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ej94AiBcP4c?feature=share

Nana Vietnam Kitchen at Festival Walk, Jalan Medan Ipoh

Yesterday my parents and I tried Nana Vietnam Kitchen at Festival Walk, Jalan Medan Ipoh, and it turned out to be such a satisfying dinner.

Opened by a lovely couple (with the lady boss from Vietnam), this cosy little spot serves authentic Vietnamese street food favourites like banh mi, beef pho, Gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls), plus a variety of Vietnamese-style rice and noodle sets.

My parents and I ordered their classic beef pho, lemongrass & chilli chicken rice set, and spring rolls to share. The portions were surprisingly big — so big we couldn’t even finish everything and had to tapau the leftovers (no regrets though 😆).

The food was flavourful, comforting, and tasted really homemade. Service was friendly, the restaurant was clean, and the prices were super reasonable too. For 3 adults including tea, the total bill was only RM57.90. Honestly such good value.

Definitely coming back to try more dishes next time. If you’re in Ipoh and craving Vietnamese food, this place is worth checking out!

Watch the video of our dinner at Nana Vietnam Kitchen here > https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j8Xw3ZRtV2g?feature=share

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Food for the 3 of us.

My 82-Year Old Dad's Homemade Strawberry Jam

My 82-year-old dad makes the tastiest homemade strawberry jam, cooked the traditional way over low fire for about 45 minutes.

Using only fresh strawberries, the juice of two limes, and reduced sugar, 1kg of strawberries yields three medium-sized bottles of jam. There are no preservatives, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no artificial ingredients — just simple, natural goodness.

This is the kind of jam I grew up with — patiently made, beautifully balanced, and full of heart. Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the most meaningful.

Watch how my dad makes the jam here > 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PcgHgFdZQDw?feature=share

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1kg of strawberries yield 3 bottles of jam.

Strawberries were on sale at Lotus's yesterday. My dad bought 5 punnets.

K10 Claypot Chicken Rice @ Bercham, Ipoh

Earlier this week, my 82-year-old dad brought my mum and me to his favourite claypot chicken rice spot in Bercham New Village — K10 Claypot Chicken Rice.

Food in Bercham is incredibly affordable because it’s a new village. A portion of roast chicken breast is just RM5, and roast chicken costs only RM3 — by far the cheapest I’ve ever seen in Ipoh or KL. In KL, it would easily cost double.

Back to K10. The claypot chicken rice was delicious — not overly salty, dark, or oily. Even with salted fish, the rice was well balanced. The chicken pieces were tender and juicy. I also ordered a freshly made ambra juice with preserved plum (no sugar), which was super refreshing on a hot day paired with a piping-hot claypot of rice.

The total bill for a big pot of claypot chicken rice and a plate of blanched lettuce? Only RM30.

📽️ Check out the video here: 👇

Very big pot of claypot chicken rice - too much for the 3 of us.

Super refreshing fresh ambra juice (no sugar) with preserved plum.

Health Freak Mommy Facebook Page

 As promised, I’m really happy to finally invite you over to my Facebook page 😊

This blog has always been a place where I share my thoughts, stories, and little moments of life, and I’m so grateful you’re here reading along. To make things more personal and interactive, I’ve also created a Facebook page where I’ll be sharing more photos, short videos, and day-to-day updates that don’t always make it onto the blog.

Over on Facebook, I get to chat with you more casually — comment, reply, and interact like friends rather than just writer and reader. It’s a space where we can connect in real time, exchange thoughts, and enjoy the journey together.

If you’ve enjoyed reading my blog, I’d love for you to head over to my Facebook page, give it a like, and follow along. Your support truly means a lot to me, and I can’t wait to see you there 💛

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See you on Facebook!