Photo by @jam35w
Chinese New Year was something I never grew up celebrating. I always celebrated Lao New Year so when I heard I was going to celebrate Chinese New Year, I got a bit excited. I finally got to celebrate the occasion this year with a beautiful family and traditions with red pockets - my first ever!
From the short period, I learnt that Chinese New Year is a 15 day celebration or as some would say, 'longest 15 days of my life' which is filled with family, love and lots of food! The dish that stood out to me was Yee Sang; it is a dish many Malaysian Chinese families have during the occasion and I knew what it was right away! The colourful salad is filled with prosperous ingredients such as salmon, pomelo, shredded radish and ginger, and crispy noodles, etc.
The tradition is also what's important. The tradition is that everyone must have a pair of chopsticks to mix the salad together - the higher you toss the salad, the more luck that will come in the new year. You also have to make wishes while tossing the salad together, just slipping them here and there. It does get a bit messy but there were a lot of laughs. My wishes will be a secret, shhh.
It was a Chinese New Year that I'll remember for a very long time. My first one and it was so welcoming! I got my first ever red pockets, I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning or like it was my birthday! I loved the designs on the envelopes and the different styles, and I'm so disappointed that I didn't buy any in Hong Kong before I came back! I'm definitely getting some next time! For more celebrations in the years to come!
Gung Hay Fat Choy | Best wishes and congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year
Mon x
