TASTY ASEAN
New Year’s Foods from ASEAN
Written by_Chef Jeong Shin-woo
▶ KF ASEAN CULTURE HOUSE YouTube
Today, ASEAN countries are very proactive in fostering multi cultural exchange and development. By understanding a country’s food culture, we have a better idea of its identity, which, in turn, helps create a shared community. Let’s explore and enjoy special New Year’s dishes from ASEAN countries.
Malaysia is often defined by two of its most popular regions, Kuala Lumpur and Penang—both trendy destinations for Korean tourists. Malaysia’s food culture is enriched by its Muslim, Chinese, and indigenous population, as well as a large group of foreign residents. Since eating out is a common practice, anyone can buy and enjoy New Year’s foods without having to make them at home. The most iconic dish is yu sheng. It is made of fish, similar to ceviche from South America or hoe muchim in Korea. The Chinese characters for yu sheng literally mean “raw fish,”but can also be read as a homophone for yu sheng, meaning “to increase in abundance.”As it symbolizes prosperity and vitality, the whole family sits around the table and shares this dish together, taking in the New Year spirit. Singapore also enjoys the same dish, and the two countries always engage in friendly debate over its true origin.In the Philippines, in addition to the staple of noodles, they enjoy sweet rice and rice cakes. In particular, pancit, or stir-fried noodles, are popular during the New Year, just as japchae noodles are widely enjoyed in Korea. There are several types of pancit noodles: pancit canton, pancit palabok, pancit sotanghon, and pancit miki. Add the meat and vegetables of your choice, as well as spices to enhance the flavor. A dish of pancit is enjoyed as a full meal, like a bowl of tteokguk in Korea. Other holiday and festival foods are lechon which is similar to galbijjim in Korea, as well as puto calasiao, which resembles sulppang in Korea. Noodles signify longevity, white rice cakes chase away misfortune, and the whole pig symbolizes prosperity.The Viet Namese New Year, called Tet, begins on January 22, following the lunar calendar. Although they are both sticky rice dishes, bánh tét is more frequently eaten in the South, whereas bánh chưng is more frequently eaten in the North(Hanoi). Bánh tét is made into a cylindrical shape to represent connection between heaven and the earth, and bánh chưng has a square shape representing the ground. It is filled with mung beans, pork, and sticky rice, then wrapped with banana leaves, tightly tied with bamboo stems, and steamed. This meal is enjoyed to wish for children’s success, good luck, and the health and peace of the family.In Indonesia, while many dishes are commonly consumed over the New Year, one of the most popular dishes is gado-gado, literally meaning “mix-mix.”Considering that about 87 percent of the population follow Islam—which strictly prohibits the consumption of pork—chicken and seafood are more often used as the base of this dish. Various vegetables, tofu, tempeh, lontong, and boiled eggs are served on a plate and eaten with a side of peanut sauce. In ASEAN countries, dining during the New Year is a cultural act that confers blessings on family members and the greater community. Through this communal dining, we pray for each other’s happiness in the year ahead.
KOREA FOUNDATION
