Customers picking out mooncakes at the shop in Noordin Street, George Town.
A WELL-KNOWN family-run Chinese confectionery business is gearing up for another Mid-Autumn Festival, with plans to produce some 10,000 mooncakes this year.
Its owner Ong Eng Choon, 56, said the company, regarded as a cornerstone of Chinese confectionery, was established in 1975 and has been producing mooncakes and doll biscuits (ang kong ngah pia in Hokkien).
“For nearly five decades, we have maintained a reputation for quality and tradition, crafting each mooncake with the same care and precision that has been passed down through generations.
“The company was founded by my grandfather, who came from Hoi An in Fujian, China, after he started selling traditional biscuits such as mooncakes to make a living.
“The mooncakes from my great-grandfather’s time have changed greatly compared to now.
“But I tend to blend the time-honoured tradition of biscuit-making with the demands of modern-day customers,” Eng Choon said when met at his shop in George Town, Penang.
Eng Choon checking the packed mooncakes at his shop. The family-run business has been operating since 1975. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
He started making the mooncakes, with fillings like mixed nuts, lotus paste and red bean paste, from Aug 18 in preparation for the Mid-Autumn Festival on Sept 17.
“I started helping out my father when I was 12.
“When he handed the business to me, I honed my skills and expanded the business, ensuring that the legacy of the shop remains strong.
“Today, the shop offers over 20 different types of biscuits, each crafted with the same dedication and care that my father and grandfather instilled in me,” he said.
Traditional mooncakes are among the various delicacies the shop is known for is.
“Mooncakes have always been a symbol of family unity and togetherness. It’s an honour to continue this tradition and share it with our community,” said Eng Choon.
While the production is a labour-intensive process, he is not alone in the work.
His three children, who grew up around the family business, now assist him in the daily operations.
His son Chia Sing, 31, has been learning the ropes for years and is preparing to take over the business when the time comes.
“My father has taught me everything, from selecting the finest ingredients to mastering the techniques of dough kneading and filling.
“Every step is crucial in maintaining the quality our customers expect.
“I’m keen to uphold the traditions while also looking for ways to innovate.
“We have been exploring new flavours to cater to younger customers, but we never compromise on the traditional aspects that define the company,” said Chia Sing.
The future of the shop looks promising, with the business continuing to attract loyal customers as well as new ones who appreciate the authenticity and craftsmanship of each product.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the Ong family is busier than ever, ensuring that every mooncake is made with the same love and dedication that has been their hallmark for nearly half a century.
The festival, also known as the Mooncake or Lantern Festival, falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar.
During the Shang Dynasty some 3,500 years ago, this period was deemed the most auspicious for celebrating the harvest season and families would venture out to admire the full moon.
There are several legends associated with the festival, but the most popular is that of Chang Er, the wife of a cruel king.
To save her people from her husband’s tyrannical rule, she drank the elixir of immortality he had intended to drink himself, and ascended to the moon.
