Costlier CNY Reunion Dinners Ahead for Many

Families Must Prepare for Pricier Banquet Restaurants and Home-Cooked Meals

Reunion dinners on the eve of Chinese New Year next week are set to be a costlier affair for families eating out, with several Chinese banquet restaurants raising the prices of their packages this year.

Restaurant Price Hikes

Vincent Yap, the operations manager of Hee Lai Ton Restaurant’s SS13 branch, said the establishment’s packages have increased by about RM100 compared to last year. “This is to account for the overall rise in the cost of ingredients as well as operational costs, which have increased,” he told FMT.

Wong Teu Hoon, president of the Pan Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurants and Chefs Association, said its member outlets had raised their reunion meal package prices by about 3% on average this year. However, these prices will be fixed throughout the festive season even in the face of any further increase in costs, since the packages have already been on sale for several months now to allow for advance bookings.

Home-Cooked Meals May Be a Cheaper Option

Ng, a 38-year-old accountant, said she intends to honour a longstanding family tradition of reuniting over a home-cooked meal in her hometown of Seremban. While that is bound to cost more this year, it would still be cheaper than eating out, she said. “Everything is more expensive now. It is something we have to live with. I am grateful that we have our reunion dinner at home. Of course, the preparation involves work, but we can save by not eating out at banquet restaurants.”

Vegetable Prices Have Steadied

A vegetable seller, who asked to be identified only as Lim, told FMT that vegetable prices have steadied compared to last month. “This is because the supply of vegetables, which was affected by the heavy flooding earlier in December, has been replenished. For example, yin choy (red spinach) and ong choy (water spinach) take about 25 days to harvest. Choy sum takes about 30 days,” said the 45-year-old when met at a market in Kuala Lumpur.

Another vegetable trader, who wanted to be known as Yee, said the prices will remain steady if good conditions hold firm but may rise again in the lead-up to the new year in the event bad weather leads to floods and damages crops. “It may not rain here (Kuala Lumpur) but it might rain in the other states. We have suppliers in Cameron Highlands, so when it rains heavily there, the prices will definitely increase due to a shortage in supply,” said the 33-year-old.

Conclusion

As Chinese New Year approaches, families must prepare for pricier reunion dinners both in banquet restaurants and at home. With rising costs of ingredients and operational costs, it is essential to plan ahead and make adjustments to ensure a memorable and affordable celebration.

FAQs

Q: Why are reunion dinner prices increasing?
A: Prices are increasing due to the rise in the cost of ingredients and operational costs.

Q: Are there any cheaper options for reunion dinners?
A: Yes, home-cooked meals may be a cheaper option for families who prefer to cook their own meals.

Q: Will vegetable prices continue to rise?
A: Vegetable prices have steadied, but may rise again in the lead-up to the new year if bad weather leads to floods and damages crops.