Family of Four

The Non-Reunion Dinner

After one almost hellish day of cleaning up, we bathed and got ready for the non-reunion dinner. Parking was easy. There was just no competition for car parks this night.

We were at the Mutiara Chinese Restaurant located at the Jaya Supermarket at 7.30 p.m. Believe me, it was jam-packed. Some were leaving after their fill while others were waiting to be seated. They were additional tables placed outside the restaurant as well. Heard there were two sessions. The first one was for reunions at 5.30 p.m. and we belonged to the latter session.

We informed the captain who our host was and were led to the table. Once we had all settled down, we ordered our drinks. I had a glass of Carlsberg beer while the rest took Australian red wine and hot Chinese tea. The children had fruit juices.

Food was then served. First to grace the table was the yee sang. So we excitedly lousang and louhei with all our might, bringing the stringy cracker-like concoction to the greatest height ever without spilling too much as well; all the while incanting best wishes for the rest of the year. Yee Sang is mainly preserved vegetables, crunchy stuff, fresh pomelo and seafood mixed with vegetable oil and prune sauce. I had two slivers of abalone. Unfortunately, did not get any salmon or squid. Good dish. Some said it originated from Malaysia and we created that tradition for the Chinese globally including those from China. What a feat if it's true!

The next dish was shark-fin soup with crabmeat. Usual fare. Felt it was a little watery. No oomph. The children loved it, though. Suckling pig was a hot favourite, it came next. Okay stuff. Children loved it especially the crunchy skin. This was followed by large steamed tiger prawns. Fresh but again nothing to shout about. Children’s favourite again. Next, we have stewed grouper fish with bean-curd, mushrooms and black bogney. Not too bad.

The next dish is the exotic stewed goose feet with mushrooms and white pokchoy. Nothing really special. Apparently it is a favourite in Hong Kong. The last dish was salted fish waxed duck rice. Taste normal. Believe me; the wife’s preparation at home is better!

Dessert was a layered cake served with Chinese herbal soup. Kids’ favourite again. We had our share of the sugary stuff.

We were filled to the max. By 10.00 p.m. my host paid up and we left the restaurant.

There goes another reunion dinner. By the grace of God, may we have many more reunion dinners.

To all Chinese celebrants, a Happy and Blessed New Year of the Pig!

Quote of the Day

“The belly rules the mind.” Spanish Proverb

Heartsong