Tag Archives: Chinese restaurant

Reunion Dinner 2024

9 Feb

Today is the eve of the Lunar New Year, and the Chinese community will gather with their loved ones for the ever-important Reunion Dinner. This year, we are not traveling North to hubby’s hometown. So, no long six hours or more drive to endure along the Plus Highway. Phew.

Instead, we are staying in town to celebrate the occasion with my brother’s family and Mom with a home-cooked sumptuous spread. Sometimes, families eat at a restaurant if they don’t want to cook up a storm. We tried this before but did not like the time restriction imposed.

As restaurants find this a lucrative business opportunity, Reunion Dinners with set menus are often allotted a two-hour session. Typically, there are two slots – an early session at 5.30 pm or a later session at 7.30 pm. And diners have to rush through the meal in a noisy atmosphere. You can’t eat at a leisurely pace with the clock ticking!

So eating at home is best. The family will gather this evening for our Reunion Dinner 2024. Here’s a toast to usher in the Year of the Dragon to bring peace and bless us with prosperity, good health, and much happiness.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Oh My English

2 Oct

Local Chinese restaurants in Malaysia are awesome especially those that are family-owned. While their food and cooking are really good, the same cannot be said for their English to attract patrons.

These two restaurants that we have been to recently are perfect examples of what I mean.

I am not too sure what is a ‘Chicken Cute’ on the menu. Chicken Cubes? Then right above this category is another eyebrow-raising item: Hong Kong style pig Sharpei! Goodness gracious. Are they serving Sharpeis? It’s too hilarious and a challenge trying to figure these out.

Then at another restaurant, they had a banner at their entrance listing ‘Pork Crab’ besides Marmite Crab and Sweet Sour Crab, the last two being the cooking style. ’Pork Crab’ certainly does not sound like a cooking style. And we know there’s pork and there’s crab but ‘Pork Crab’? What is it?

After a while, I finally understood what it meant. It’s a direct translation from the Chinese phrase that actually meant ‘Meaty Crab’!

It’s always a delight to discover such places for their food and the unintended humour.