Qing Ming meals delivered to your doorstep

GEORGE TOWN: It is not a typical home-cooked meal for takeaways during the movement control order (MCO) period.

Dubbed “memories of ancestor meal” sets, these specifically cater for those observing Qing Ming at home due to the restriction on big gatherings.

The meal is delivered right to the doorstep of customers.

Among the dishes include stirfried vegetables, fried crab (foo yong hai), sweet and sour fish, fried chicken with mango sauce, watercress soup and plain rice.

There is even an option for vegetarian dishes, said Nicky Chia, 33, who is among those who provide the service for those observing Chinese All Souls Day.

He said the dishes were prepared fresh every day and customers could eat the food after the prayers.

“We are selling the set meals at a reasonable price as we do not want to burden the people during this difficult time,” he said at his restaurant here.

On the mainland, restaurant manager Khor Tee Huat, 60, said their six-dish set meal includes mixed vegetables, osmanthus egg, shamisen tofu, golden hamburger, sweet and sour fish and curry chicken.

Qing Ming, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a 2,500-year-old traditional festival to honour ancestors.

The Chinese who observe the occasion would usually gather at the final resting place of their family members on the weekends before the actual day.

The festival falls on April 4 this year.

Religious and grassroots associations, as well as the government, have urged the community to observe this year’s Qing Ming at home amid an extended MCO to April 14.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the Chinese tradition of performing rituals and paying respects to ancestors during Qing Ming was something that was respected by all Cabinet members.

“Once we have overcome this Covid-19 pandemic, we can all continue to gather again to pay our respects next year,” said the Transport Minister.

“In order to prevent the spread of the disease effectively, we urge all Malaysians to stay home and break the chain of infection.

“All Malaysians must stand united and cooperate with the government during this very difficult and critical time,” Dr Wee added.