The Chinese New Year 2008 fall on 7 February 2008. In Malaysia and Singapore the 7 and 8 of February is a national public holiday.
The most important cake is the Niangao/ Nian Gao/ Nian Kueh or in Penang Hokkien tnee kueh. This sticky sweet snack made of glutinous rice and sugar is traditionally offered to the Kitchen God (before the new year) to ensure that his mouth will be stuck with the sticky cake and hence cannot report on the family's bad deed to the God of all Gods (Yu Huang Da Di).
It is a tradition in Malaysia and Singapore to make or buy this. Friends and relatives invited to the house are often served this with a variety of these cakes and cookies. New Year cookies are also given as gifts to friends and relatives.
Check out more on Chinese New Year and get a free printable 2008 Chinese calendar here
