GEORGE TOWN: The demand for poon choi (prosperity pot) is still high as the Chinese community hopes to have a roaring start to the Year of the Tiger.

       Penang Koo Soo Kwong Choon Tong Restaurant and Tea Shop Association chairman Vinah Yee said orders and bookings started trickling in since early January.

       “Compared to last year, there is a good number of orders and bookings for traditional festive dishes like poon choi and lap mei fan (sausage rice),” she said.

       “We see more families ordering these dishes for the reunion dinner at home.”

       Among the 360 association members, most are seeing higher demand for takeaways.

       “Anyhow, although the orders are higher compared to last year, demand is still slow.

       “This may be due to a shift in consumer trends to home-based cooking.

       “Many people are selling poon choi and festive dishes from home, advertising their products on social media and this takes up a good portion of consumers,” she said.

       Yee said customers would prefer such home-based offers as their prices were much cheaper.

       “We are unable to match those prices due to our cost.

       “Most of us cook and serve premium quality and imported products, so it is impossible for us to compete with home-based businesses,” she said.