Home cook Angie Tay's traditional Hakka and Teochew CNY dishes

Tay normally cooks treasured recipes for her family every CNY. Clockwise from top left: son-in-law Ray Ng, granddaughter Hannah Ng, daughter Sook Chuan, daughter Sook Fong, son's girlfriend Hailey Ryu, son Kean Yong, husband Kong Fatt, Tay, and the family's helper Jovita Floreta (who has been with them for nearly 30 years). — SAM THAM/The Star

In her large, cavernous home in Ampang, Angie Tay is bustling about with purpose and determination. A charming, multi-talented woman with a smile at the ready for everyone, Tay is not known for sitting still and is constantly on the move, whether it’s to cut up a banana cake she’s just made or whip up some coffee.

The consummate hostess, she is also always eager to feed her guests. “Would you like to try some kombucha? I made it myself, ” she asks. And before you can even answer, she has hurried to the fridge to pour some of the promised kombucha into a glass as her family watches her fondly.