WITH two more days before the Winter Solstice Festival, better known as Dong Zhi among the Chinese community, preparations for the must-have dessert glutinous rice balls (tang yuan) have been in full swing.
Known as an important festival than Chinese New Year among the Chinese community, the celebration marks the beginning of winter.
The more than its thousand-year-old tradition brings family together and helps create bonding among family members.
From plain to brightly coloured variants with fillings, the glutinous rice balls are also used in ancestral worship during the festival.
During a check by Buletin Mutiara at Perak Road Market, business has been brisk at a stall selling rice balls.
Owner Lim Ewe Lay, 58, said her stall has been operating for three generations, starting from her mother-in-law decades ago.
“Preparations for the rice balls are tedious and I need extra hands to assist me as the festival gets nearer.
“One thing unique about our rice balls is that we prepare them on the spot to ensure their freshness,” said Lim, who also operates a popiah stall in Jelutong.
As the festival approaches, Lim said she starts her business in the wee hours.
“Many people, especially those market-goers, will be here at about 2.30am to get the rice balls. We anticipate a growing crowd in the next few days.
“We offer flavours like black sesame, red bean, and peanuts, with black sesame being the most popular. We have slightly increased the price of rice balls with fillings from RM1 to RM1.20 each due to the rising costs,” she explained.
The rice ball flour is available at RM3 (small) and RM8 (big).
In Weld Quay, the famous Hoe Hock Tian Tang Yen, which has been operating for nearly 80 years, expects fewer crowds this year.
Owner Khaw Hoe Hock, 70, said young people tend to be simple nowadays.
“Some of them might not be buying rice balls too. Hence, we expect slower business, particularly from the younger ones.
“We also do not take any reservations from the customers due to staff shortage,” he said.
Khaw said he would operate his business from 3am to 10.30pm in the next couple of days, adding that his son and daughters would assist him.
His wife Anna Yeoh, 69, said they offer sesame and peanut rice balls.
“We couldn’t make any other flavours due to a lack of manpower. It’s very tiring,” she added.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Joanne Foong