The characteristics of food in Southeast Asia are the abundance of tropical fruits, diversity of spices, coconut dishes, and serving rice as the staple food.
The holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are always celebrated with joy by the Muslim community in Southeast Asia. Currently, there are nearly 300 million Muslims in the ASEAN region.
Tracing its historical roots, the communities in Southeast Asia consist of Malay, Chinese, Thai, Khmer, Burmese, and Filipino ethnicities along with Melanesians and Austronesians. Islam was introduced from the Middle East and Gujarat in the 12th century in the regions of Malacca, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. This made the Muslim rituals of fasting, tarawih, zakat, and Eid al-Fitr prayer become part of the ASEAN culture.
This also influences the culinary flavors and snacks served during Ramadan. Food in ASEAN countries generally represents a fusion of culinary influences from India and China which are integrated into highly diverse local food customs.
The characteristics of food in Southeast Asia are the abundance of tropical fruits, diversity of spices, coconut dishes, and serving rice as the staple food. The types of food for breaking the fast in ASEAN countries are quite diverse, and there are some similarities in preparation. Here are some of them:
KUEH LAPIS AND MEE REBUS – SINGAPORE
The Malay community in Singapore usually serves kueh lapis (steamed layered cake) on the dining table for iftar. Kueh lapis is a steamed cake, layered, and made from rice flour, and coconut milk, and comes in many colors.
Another popular food for iftar is mee rebus. It is a type of noodle dish cooked in peanut sauce with meat or shrimp, bean sprouts, egg, and crackers. This dish is readily available in food courts on Bugis Street, around Mustafa Center, and Kampong Glam.
BUBUR LAMBUK AND NASI LEMAK – MALAYSIA
Bubur lambuk (creamy rice porridge) and nasi lemak (fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves) are popular food for breaking the fast among Malaysians, especially in Ramadan bazaars in Kuala Lumpur, on the peninsula, or in Kinabalu, Sabah. The savory taste of bubur lambuk comes from a variety of ingredients and spices such as meat, coconut milk, ghee butter, and coconut oil.
The porridge is also served with slices of radish, carrot, and long beans. This special Ramadan food is prepared differently in each state of Malaysia. For example, bubur lambuk is prepared with wild spices, budu (anchovy sauce), yam, and seafood in east coast areas like Terengganu.
Another favorite dish for breaking the fast in Malaysia during Ramadan is nasi lemak. This most popular food in Malaysia consists of rice cooked with coconut milk and served with fried anchovies, boiled eggs, sliced cucumbers, and sambal (spicy sauce). This food can also be enjoyed with fried chicken, squid sambal, fried fish, and beef rendang. This food can be found not only in Malaysia, but also in Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Batam Island, Indonesia.
MURTABAK AND PAD THAI – THAILAND
Moving north of Malaysia, there is murtabak (stuffed pancake) in Thailand. It is made from chicken or duck eggs. Murtabak is not fried until it is dry unlike its similar dish of martabak in Indonesia.
Murtabak can be enjoyed with condensed milk or sugar water with slices of cucumber, onions, and chili, unlike in Malaysia where it is usually enjoyed with lentil dal or curry. Murtabak, also known as “mataba” by the local people, is very popular in Bangkok.
Mataba is sold in many kiosks in the Ramadan bazaar. Halal food center during Ramadan in Bangkok is in the Ratchathewi area. Aside from Bangkok, the Muslim community in Thailand live in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.
In addition to murtabak, there is pad thai. It is a Thai specialty of fried noodles made from rice. Pad Thai is usually consumed along with shrimp, crab, chicken, and other protein sources. It is also added with bean sprouts, red chili powder, lime, and peanut sauce. It is spicy but appetizing.
ARROZ CALDO – PHILIPPINES
Muslim people in the Philippines usually eat arroz caldo (chicken porridge). This is chicken porridge seasoned with onion, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce with a sprinkle of fried onion. It is suitable for iftar or sahur (pre-dawn meal).
It is said to have the same benefits as chicken soup and can cure people with the flu. In addition to the Muslim community in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, most of the Muslim communities live in the southern Philippines, especially in the Mindanao Province.
NASI KATOK AND AMBUYAT – BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Nasi katok is an affordable meal for breaking the fast. In standard Malay, “katok” means knock or tap, which refers to the act of knocking on something like knocking on the door, or in this case the street vendor taps on the plastic container to get the customer’s attention. Generally, nasi katok consists of white rice, fried chicken, and sambal. The food is served in a plastic container and is a common dish of the local people. In Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, it is priced at BND$1.
Another Brunei specialty for breaking the fast is ambuyat. It is a dish made from sago starch mixed with water until it becomes a thick paste. It is usually eaten with sambal or meat. This food is similar to the tempoyak of South Sumatra or the papeda of Papua.
Source: indonesia.go.id
Photo: Mee rebus or boiled noodles is a favourite dish in Singapore. (PIXABAY)