Lunar New Year a time of celebration and enterprise for small businesses

Seasonal offering: Elaine Choo at her man tou bun stall at the Taman OUG morning market.

Food-seller Elaine Chou’s usual offerings at the Taman OUG morning market include the ma lai gao, char siew bao and loh mai kai. But last week, as the Hokkiens prepared to celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday, Chou sold only peach-shaped man tou buns.

No, Chou had not gotten tired of her usual fare. The switch was a commercial decision.