CNY Reunion Dinner with 100 Families at Syeun Hotel Ipoh
The annual reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve is said to be the most important aspect of the Lunar New Year.
Therefore, it is no surprise that this is the season where we witness the biggest migration of people as they make their way to their home town to usher in a brand new year with those near and dear.
As a Chinese, the reunion dinner is not new to me as we observe the culture and tradition of our race on every Chinese New Year’s Eve.
This year, we decided that we won’t just celebrate within the family, but join 99 other families to welcome the Year of the Fire Monkey.
What….? Reunion dinner for 100 families? Yes, you’ve read correctly. This mass “Family Reunion Dinner” is the sixth consecutive year that has been organised by Syeun Hotel Ipoh, to make the celebration more joyous and merrier.
Besides spending quality time together over an appetising Chinese course dinner to welcome the Lunar New Year, a series of entertainment was lined up to ensure the evening was more meaningful and enjoyable.
Undoubtedly, the occasion began with the customary tossing of the prosperity salad (lou hei yee sang). Every ingredient served in the dish carries a particularly auspicious meaning and while being tossed for seven times, diners shout out favourable phrases and New Year wishes with gusto, showering all participants with blessings for the coming year.
To the delight of diners, the cute little monkey mascot gave out candies to signify a “sweet” year ahead while the God of Prosperity made a special appearance, giving out “ang pow” to everyone with the blessing of good fortune.
What caught us by surprise was the arrival of the agile Fire Monkey, of great significance for the coming year. Diners couldn’t wait for the opportunity to take a photo with him!
Meanwhile, the dinner was interspersed with Chinese New Year song and dance performances to render the event a touch of festive air.
Wowing the guests was also the acrobatic troupe from China, especially the contortionist with her extreme physical flexibility. Although I have watched such shows numerous times, even a live show in Beijing, I was still impressed.
Certainly, enjoying an eight-course reunion dinner amongst family members is unforgettable but doing so with ninety nine other families is another level of celebration altogether. I highly recommend it.
So, now you know where to go for your next Chinese New Year reunion dinner, right?
Event: Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner with 100 Families at Syeun Hotel Ipoh
Venue: Grand Ballroom, Syeun Hotel, Ipoh
Date: 7th Feb, 2016
Time: 7pm – 11pm
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I loved reading about your family traditions and experiences. I hope you have a wonderful and prosperous new year!
Everywhere in Ipoh is so freaking expensive now for reunion dinner. 🙁
Mike,
You have to agree that no matter how expensive we are, we are still not at the level of KL. So, it’s better to celebrate in Ipoh!
You must have had a wonderful time and this is a huge reunion dinner.
CNY indeed is a good time to gather everyone else. Wishing you and family a blessed Monkey year!
Our table was, way way back. Not easy to see the stage show but we enjoyed the food.
Wow~ there are so many performances!
Btw, Happy Chinese New Year!
Gong xi fa chai! Have a prosperous monkey year!
Looks like a very nice event. Love the performence 🙂
Happy CNY. May u have a wonderful and prosperous new year 🙂
Amazing tradition! But is it only limited to 100 families? Kinda chaotic if there would be more, right?
Sil,
There were 100 tables so, 100 families is a symbolic number.
Waiting for you tell tell me where to eat in Ipoh! 100 families, is quite an impressive number.
Wow…100 families was quite a lot! Anyway how was the taste of food haha
I love reunion dinner with entertainment and performance, its so lively and vibrant in Ipoh.
The child must have collected lots of angpaos from 99 families XD What a lively reunion dinner you have here. Hopefully I will have the chance to experience like this one day! ^^
Great write-up on everything Ipoh. Glad you had a good Reunion Dinner. I guess it should be *Syuen* Hotel and not Syeun, right? Meanwhile, keep up the good work on keeping us out-of-towners informed about the latest in Ipoh
Hi Soo Weng Loong.
Syuen changed their name to Syeun a couple of years back.
Thanks for the useful update, Emily. Gosh, my Ipoh knowledge is getting totally outdated. 😀
Wow, what a lovely gathering and the performances must have been awesome. seeing kids performing gives me LIFE
Wow! This post definitely captures “the more the merrier”. Reunion with family members off 100 families that is ALOT of noise and fun and chatter hehehe