GEORGE TOWN: Sweet, sticky glutinous rice cakes (nian gao) are must-haves as offerings to Zhao Jun (Kitchen God) as it is believed that only then will he report good things about a household to the Jade Emperor. For many in the Chinese community, they believe that the deity has a “direct line” to the ruler of heaven. “We offer food in the form of nian gao, mandarin oranges, candied melon and Chinese tea,” she said when met at her house in Air Itam. Teh said these offerings do not include meat or cooked food other than the nian gao. “This year in particular, I am praying for my family’s health and career success, and favou­rable weather in the new year,” said the traditional Chinese ­medi­cine practitioner.

Source: The Star February 12, 2026 07:11 UTC