Preserving Lion and Dragon Dance Tradition in CNY

I remember talking about preservation of the performance of unicorn and lion troupes during CNY way back in 2013 (Read here). Over the years, with less and less Chinese and more and more non-Chinese involved in keeping this tradition "alive", the question was - how long could this tradition be maintained!

It turns out that such worry in fact is unnecessary. CNY in 2025 saw a very significant increase in both the number and frequency of the performances of  lion and dragon troupes. Literally from CNY Eve to Chap Goh Mei, the final day of CNY.

In the past, martial arts demonstration and lion or unicorn dance were part and parcel of a typical performance (Read here). But these days, it appears that most troupes only devote or concentrate on the dance and less demonstration of martial arts by troupes members. Whether it's because of the shortage of martial arts instructors or less troupe members are interested in this demanding skill, I cannot be sure!

But the chance for these troupes to collect angpows in the festive season undoubtedly is something they find it difficult to resist! Still money is probably the key incentive to keep something going :)

02.02.2025 (Day 5) at Gaya Street Sunday Market.

05.02.2025 (Day 8) at Wisma SHELL.

08.02.2025 (Day 11) at Borneo Sports Arena.

10.02.2025 (Day 13) at Damai Plaza.

Fine Dining in Final Night before Departure Back to WA

It was just a year ago during last year's CNY when we were introduced by Paul to Oitom to experience the fine dining at this restaurant (Read here).

With that experience, we decided to have our dinner at Oitom at the night before Serene's family flew back to WA the next morning. We had 9-course heritage meal for all including Grace, my granddaughter. 

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Our "guests" from WA were pleased with that dining experience.  They were impressed with some of the carefully crafted dishes many were made with local ingredients and often prepared with artistic presentation. 

If asked to give a "negative" comment, I could think of my granddaughter's comment after the 9-Course meal - "I still feel a bit hungry!" Indeed, the quantum of some of the dishes were so minuscule to make the customers sufficiently satisfied :)

Left: 1st - Tartlet of Kudat Sinalau Corn with Yuzu Truffle (Top) and 2nd - Hinava of Sake Marinated Flower Prawn. 

Right: The raw ingredients used.

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3rd - Tenom Corn Chicken served with Black Garlic & Kulim.

4th - Slipper Lobster & Hokkaido Scallop paired with Bunga Kantan.

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Left Top: 5th - Linopot of Tuhau Sambal & Beras Lujuh.

Left Bottom: 6th - Ikejime Grouper served in X.O and Farmer's Ulam. 

Right Top: 7th - Brioche Roll Glazed in Tepache.

Right Bottom: 8th - Aged 5 Spice Duck Paired with Fig Jus & Zuchinni.

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Final Dish: 9th - Pandan Penjaram paired with Tapai Sorbet.

Other Happy Times besides Food!

Unlike previous home-coming holidays of Serene's family back to KK, In this CNY, we went out for karaoke one afternoon for over an hour. 

I recall having karaoke one afternoon singing with my BIL, nephews and nieces in Batu Pahat a very long time ago. Now, it's amazing that my grandchildren Nathan and Grace too have picked up old familiar songs which we used to sing in those yesteryears! It's good time for bonding and reminiscing!

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Nathan and Grace love swimming. After swimming to their heart's content at Shangri-la Rasa Ria, they did not hesitate when offered to go swimming at KGC swimming pool before flying back to WA. In fact, they swam at KGC's pool each time they came back for holidays in KK. The last time they swam at this pool was in August 2022 (Read here).

Food Galore in CNY 2025

For overseas returnees to celebrate CNY with their family, the occasion provides another opportunity for them to explore and taste their favourite food they have enjoyed in their original hometown. As in previous occasions, searching for and eating their favourite food is one of the key agenda. (Read here) and (Read here).

Breakfast on 23.01.25: Tuaran Mee at Tuaran Mee Restaurant, Inanam.

Dim Sum breakfast at New WK Restaurant on 26.01.25.

Dinner on 26.01.25 at Chennai Recipe Restaurant at Borneo Suites Hotel.

Roti Tisu served at Chennai Recipe Restaurant.

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Indian food breakfast again on 31.01.25 at Restaurant Salim at Bukit Bantayan.

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Day 4 of CNY, we had lunch at Ah Yen Inanam in Inanam Capital. Traditional Fried Pork. When bowls of the "Traditional Fried Pork" were delivered to our table, Nathan exclaimed, "This is the dish I have been looking forward to. Unfortunately, I just couldn't recall its name!"

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Before we explore Gaya Street Sunday Market on Day 4 of CNY (01.02.2025), we had breakfast at Restaurant Keng Wan Hing, an old food outlet well known for baked buns and steamed bao.

We ordered their dry-stir noodle (right) and beef meehon soup (left). These dishes are only so so and nothing exceptional!

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Two days after Serene left for home, we were at Bornion Centre on 05.02.2025 and found Kedai Kopi Kai Shun finally opened for business after closing for the CNY holidays. We knew Nathan would have loved to eat their Minced Meat Noodle which some call it Sarawak Kolo Mee. Unfortunately, the outlet was closed during their stay in KK. 

Minced Meat Noodle at Kedai Kopi Kai Shun.

Revisit Jesselton Artisan Market & Gaya Street Sunday Market

Unlike the Gaya Street Sunday Market, which features a mix of traditional street vendors and local produce, the Jesselton Artisan Market stands out for its curated selection of Sabahan-made products - from hand-dyed batik cloths, intricate beadwork, and charming souvenirs to contemporary art pieces and other handcrafted goods that reflect the creativity of local artisans.

We visited the Jesselton Artisan Market on Sunday, 26 January 2025, right after enjoying our dim sum breakfast at New WK Restaurant. The market, with its lively yet relaxed atmosphere, offered a refreshing contrast to the bustle of Gaya Street - a perfect place to stroll, browse and appreciate Sabah’s growing community of makers and artists.

In the end, we were certainly not disappointed - the ladies found exactly what they came for, leaving with smiles (and shopping bags) to show for it.

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The following Sunday, 2 February 2025, we made our way to the Gaya Street Sunday Market. By then, Paul and Junshi had already returned to Singapore, leaving the rest of us to continue exploring Kota Kinabalu at a more leisurely pace.

Before joining the bustling crowd that morning, we stopped for breakfast at Restaurant Keng Wan Hing, a long-established local favourite renowned for its freshly baked buns and steamed bao. 

Gracie's having the Dry-Stir Noodle.

One lion troupe took advantage of the huge crowd, they stopped at every store to get angpow!