When the origin of a national dish is disputed, this can lead to “food wars”. And the most scorching culinary battle of the moment might be the “kimchi wars”, over the origin of the popular naturally fermented vegetable side dish. Click here to find out if kimchi is of Korean origin. Continue reading Dish Origin – Kimchi
Did prawn crackers originate from Malaysia or Indonesia, and which country has the better version? Find out the answer and more fascinating info about this classic Asian snack, click here to read more. Published as part of my ongoing origin series for South China Morning Post. Photos courtesy of chef Will Meyrick. Continue reading Dish Origin – Prawn Crackers
Did Australia really plagiarise the pavlova recipe from New Zealand? Or does the beloved meringue-based dessert have its origins in royal Germanic kitchens? Find out what I discovered in this origin series article for South China Morning Post. Click here to read more. Spoiler alert below: this did not make it to the final article – New Research While we will have to wait until … Continue reading Dish Origin – Pavlova
To the uninitiated, consuming an embryonic duck egg may not sound particularly tempting. Yet balut is so popular in the Philippines that it is often referred to as a national street food. Find out more about this protein rich snack and what I thought when I tried it. Click here for more. Continue reading Dish Origin – Balut
Said to have anti-ageing properties, and to promote cell regeneration, boost immunity and enhance sex drive, edible bird’s nests have become popular with Chinese millennials. In my latest origin series for South China Morning Post I deep dive into this Chinese delicacy with a fascinating history dating back more than a thousand years ago. Continue reading Dish Origin – Edible Bird’s Nest
One of the most popular dishes associated with Vietnamese cuisine has its origin in China. Learn more about this and what makes a rice paper roll truly authentic in my latest origin series article for SCMP. Continue reading Dish Origin – Rice Paper Rolls
I remember vividly the first time I ever had gnocchi that was befitting of the description, light and fluffy pillows. It was in Verona, at Locanda 4 Cuochi. So it was interesting to discover when researching this Gnocchi origin article (for SCMP) that Verona is not only the city of love, it is also the city of gnocchi. Continue reading Dish Origin – Gnocchi
As Disney’s Mickey Mouse makes an unlikely turn as a satay-serving street hawker, I explore the origins of the marinated meat found skewered on street corners across Southeast Asia, in my latest origin series for South China Morning Post. Click here to read more. Continue reading Dish Origin – Satay
Fact check: is chicken tikka masala actually Indian, not British? I talk to the experts to answer the question as well as delve into its origin story. Click here to read all about it. Continue reading Dish Origin – Chicken Tikka Masala
Focusing on Nyonya and Singapore laksa, this article looks at the similarities, the differences, which came first, and how laksa got its name. Plus recommendations for eating the dish in Singapore & Malaysia. Click here for more. Continue reading Dish Origin – Laksa
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