Malaysian son learns cherished family recipes from mother


  • Living
  • Sunday, 11 May 2025

Over the years, Oh has learnt how to perfect the family's traditional heirloom dishes, many of which he picked up from his grandmother and mother Chai. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star

IN the family home in Petaling Jaya, Benjamin Oh Jian Wei, 36, and his elegant mother, Alice Chai Min Foong, 64, are busy scooping up lavish heapings of jiu hu char onto lettuce cups that have been washed, dried and set aside for this express purpose.

The dish is a labour of love that requires hours of intense preparation, as the jicama and carrots in the jiu hu char have to be hand-julienned very, very finely in order to yield a juicy vegetable medley that is packed with flavour. It is a dish that the family has made numerous times for festive occasions and one that Oh has been involved in making since he was a child.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Living

Harvey Norman Brings Your Dream Kitchen To Life
Why Malaysians are going head over heels for blind boxes
Why this US student with cerebral palsy was crowned homecoming king
Searching for links between a changing climate and mental health in Kenya
Shouting at seagulls keeps them away from your food, research shows
Charles and Diana's rare wedding champagne to be auctioned
Japanese firms boost support for workers with disabilities
Why this Malaysian musical event honoured neurodiverse performers
Add lightning to the list of things that could kill you on Mars
Is your cat drinking enough? Easy ways to boost daily water intake

Others Also Read