Petaling Street’s timeless charm through the eyes of its oldest vendors

Free Malaysia Today

Businesses like Madam Tang’s Muah Chee, and Seong Ying Chai Bakery, all over 50 years old, are the heartbeat of Chinatown.  Written & presented by: Theevya Ragu Shot by: Afizi Ismail & Andrea Edmonds Edited by: Selven Razz  Read More:   Free Malaysia Today is an independent, bi-lingual news portal with a focus on Malaysian current affairs.    Subscribe to our channel - http://bit.ly/2Qo08ry   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check us out at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com Follow FMT on Facebook: https://bit.ly/49JJoo5 Follow FMT on Dailymotion: https://bit.ly/2WGITHM Follow FMT on X: https://bit.ly/48zARSW  Follow FMT on Instagram: https://bit.ly/48Cq76h Follow FMT on TikTok : https://bit.ly/3uKuQFp Follow FMT Berita on TikTok: https://bit.ly/48vpnQG  Follow FMT Telegram - https://bit.ly/42VyzMX Follow FMT LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/42YytEb Follow FMT Lifestyle on Instagram: https://bit.ly/42WrsUj Follow FMT on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/49GMbxW  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Download FMT News App: Google Play – http://bit.ly/2YSuV46 App Store – https://apple.co/2HNH7gZ Huawei AppGallery - https://bit.ly/2D2OpNP  #FMTLifestyle #CNY2025 #PetalingStreet #OldestVendors

Transcript

00:00Nothing captures Chinese New Year like Petaling Street,

00:06where its soul and heartbeat are the long-time vendors who have kept it alive.

00:12FMT Lifestyle took to the streets to hear from the Chinese community safeguarding Chinatown's roots.

00:19This iconic mochi stall has been part of Chinatown's story for over 50 years.

00:33Though Madam Tang is no longer with us, her legacy lives on.

00:40If you've ever roamed this area of KL, you've probably heard the spirited shout of Madam Tang, or Tang Kwok Wong.

00:49Famously known as the Mochi Queen, now her signature call echoes only through this radio.

00:58At 79, Madam Tang passed away in 2023, leaving behind her stall selling this beloved traditional treat.

01:07Today, the business is run by her son and granddaughter, carrying this business legacy into its third generation.

01:15Whenever foreigners come, they will know that they come to Chinatown,

01:20we will have a grandma that's sitting here and shouting, mochi, mochi, come, mochi.

01:27Madam Tang's 53-year-old son, Ben Liu, says they are continuing to run the business to honour her legacy

01:34and for the sake of the customers who loved her mochi.

01:39When Madam Tang was in charge, it was all about the original peanut flavour.

01:44Now, with the younger generation taking over, they've added fun twists like black sesame, raibina, mango and lychee.

01:53And how do they think Madam Tang would feel watching over them now?

02:07Formerly known as Market Street in the 1800s,

02:10Petaling Street became home to Chinese miners during the tin rush.

02:14Over the years, it has evolved into a cultural melting pot and one of Malaysia's most popular tourist destinations.

02:23While many stalls have closed down, some, like this Air Mata Kucing stall, have endured for over 40 years.

02:31Another long-standing gem, a staple for locals, is Siong Ying Chai Bakery, serving the community since 1935.

02:41When the bakery closed its doors in 2016, Leonard Lee, the founder's grandson, decided to bring it back to life.

02:49He says it was a natural decision as he had been helping the business since he was a child.

03:10Before the night time, before we go to sleep, I and my brother will need to be responsible for tomorrow morning because we need to prepare the dough out.

03:21Famous for their mooncakes and other confectioneries, their top Chinese New Year bestseller is the Nyonya Pineapple Tarts, arguably some of the best in Malaysia.

03:31FMT Lifestyle got a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen where elderly hands carry on the tradition,

03:38using tools like this 70-year-old copper pot to cook the pineapple fillings.

03:44Lee, having grown up in Petaling Street, recalls fond memories of celebrating the festive season.

03:51Chinese New Year in Petaling Street is the noisiest in the whole KL.

03:57The most close lion dance you can have is only in Petaling Street because he will jump here and you are there already.

04:05When he falls, he will fall on you.

04:06Today, Petaling Street is a lively mix of food vendors and revitalized alley.

04:13Titled Missing Stories of Petaling Street, the mural is inspired by real photographs of the iconic area from 1910 to 1950.

04:23The stories of Petaling Street and its oldest vendors embody the true spirit of the Chinese community,

04:30blending tradition with progress and honoring the elders who paved the way.

04:36For more stories, visit nyseagrant.org

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