KUCHING: The once-a-year Chinese New Year (CNY) Bazaar in Kenyalang Park is for many visitors a walk down memory lane.
The bazaar has since its opening on Jan 6 seen hundreds of people walking in and out to browse and buy food, drinks and festive items all of which come in attractive packaging.
Charley Pan, 31, told New Sarawak Tribune that every year since she was a child she would come to the bazaar to look at goodies and snacks for the Chinese New Year festive period.
“It is a really good thing, this place has such a good atmosphere. It is a really good experience for my family and it brings back wonderful memories,” she said.
Pan, who came with her daughter and husband, said though Chinese New Year is observed by the Chinese community, it is a delight to see other races all converging in the same place.
“This is what Malaysia is all about,” she said.
Irving Peter, 28, who was with his partner, Shi Yee, 27, said they used to come often to the bazaar when they were much younger and now, they’re helping their friends to sell food at the bazaar.
“We’re helping our friends to sell and it is our first time,” he said.
Their popular item is the ‘jomade’ sambal, locally made crispy pork sambal.
They were equally ecstatic over the large crowds coming to the bazaar.
Tiffany Xio Ling, 23, who was helping out at a food stall said she used to come the annual bazaar frequently until the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
“It is such a wonderful time to be able to celebrate and see many people at the bazaar.
“The Kenyalang Park CNY Bazaar is very different this year, it is much more lively,” she said.
Ling explained that she was helping a family friend sell food items with colourful rabbit wrappers to support their business.
Molina Yusuf, 42, has been selling at the bazaar for 11 years, after she quit her job and ventured into selling cream cheese biscuits before adding other variations.
“I used to sell them in MJC in Batu Kawa and then moved to Petra Jaya before settling down here (in Kenyalang Park,” she said.
Molina who was with her husband sells biscuits every Chinese New Year and she says she loves doing so.
