Chinese restaurants hold on to tradition

CHINESE New Year often brings forth memories of family reunion dinners over the years. And who doesn’t remember gathering with parents and grandparents in some of Singapore’s oldest Chinese restaurants? If you’re feeling a sense of nostalgia, check out BTLifestyle in tomorrow’s edition of The Business Times as we revisit heritage restaurants such as Cheng Hoo Thian, Lai Wah, Plum Village and Spring Court. We talk to the owners about what it’s like to uphold heritage cooking in the unpredictable food and beverage industry. With owners ageing and the next generation not always willing to take on the mantle, it’s not an easy task, but the shared sentiment is that they will keep going for as long as possible.

Meanwhile, as Chinese New Year kicks into gear, so does the practice of hongbao giving. Check out some of the coolest red packets to hand out in the Year of the Rabbit. And with Chinese food dominating this festive season, we get a taste of modern Cantonese cooking at the new restaurant Jia He Grand.

For watch lovers, take a look at the latest timepieces unveiled at the recently-ended LVMH watch fair. And if you’re planning to stay home this weekend, get your fill of historical romances with Jeannie Lin’s latest book set in China’s Tang Dynasty.