Pan Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurants and Chefs Association Melaka chapter president Wong Teu Hoon said some restaurants have been fully booked two weeks before the reunion dinner today and even on the eve of the reunion dinner yesterday.
“This is because some families are also holding their reunion dinners a day earlier. So, some restaurants were booked out a fortnight ago,” he said.
Wong said restaurants under his association have said they received more bookings this year compared to last year.
He said this was due to the diners’ willingness to spend on festive meals at restaurants.
“We received a lot of bookings this year, and most places are full for those who did not book early,” he said.
Amy Chan, a supervisor at a traditional Chinese restaurant, said reunion dinner reservations are fully booked, though lunch slots remain available, adding that the dinner seats were filled about a week ago.
“Our restaurant can seat up to 12 people per table and has 15 tables in total, accommodating around 107 diners at one time. We charge about RM88 per head.”
In terms of popular dishes, Chan said the signature ginger chicken is among the top orders.
“Usually, the ginger chicken is very popular, and of course, the yee sang for Chinese New Year,” she said, adding that bookings typically surge one week before the festival, and this has been the case for the past few years.
Another restaurant in Petaling Jaya confirmed it is fully booked for reunion dinner reservations.
“Bookings have filled up as early as January in recent years,” said John Tan, the supervisor.
The restaurant can accommodate slightly over 100 diners and serves only dinner on the reunion night, not lunch.
“Pricing ranges between RM60 and RM80 per person, depending on the set menu selected,” he said.
They offer course meals based on group size, with sets available for four, six or eight persons. Larger families can opt for joint tables.
“A table for a big family can cost close to RM1,000, depending on the dishes ordered,” he said, adding that their abalone dishes are popular in their Fujian-inspired restaurant.
The annual reunion dinner, which usually takes place on the eve of Chinese New Year, is a significant gathering where family members, regardless of distance, return home for a feast that symbolises unity, prosperity and filial piety.
