Vanishing Foods
As Asian societies hurtle towards urbanisation and modernisation, the chase for greater convenience, speed and efficiency never ends. Where then, does that leave our tradtional culinary heirlooms? Century-old dishes that demand time and patience, yet trigger collective memories of delight, and espouse the wisdom of health and nutrition. Aun Koh, better known for his moniker, Chubby Hubby, and one of Singapores foremost food bloggers, tracks down the guardians of these disappearing recipes. He uncovers the stories behind our changing food culture, as he learns to cook these dishes. Through creativity, Aun pays homage to these traditions by giving the foods a modern twist - entrenching them not only in history, but also in the here and now.
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Food blogger Aun Koh heads to Philippines in search of the Dulce Prenda, a vanishing pastry which was invented by the poor in the 18th century as a religious offering to the Virgin Mary. Through this sweet treasure, he hopes to discover more about Filipino cuisine, its influences and evolution.
Food blogger Aun Koh heads to Philippines in search of the Dulce Prenda, a vanishing pastry which was invented by the poor in the 18th century as a religious offering to the Virgin Mary. Through this sweet treasure, he hopes to discover more about Filipino cuisine, its influences and evolution.
A culinary discovery takes food blogger, Aun Koh up Taiwan's central mountain range to a Paiwan tribal village. He learns about Yao Yao Fan, a simple dish that hails back to the tribe's past as a foraging people. With modern conveniences and changing tastes, this dish is at risk of becoming lost.
A culinary discovery takes food blogger, Aun Koh up Taiwan's central mountain range to a Paiwan tribal village. He learns about Yao Yao Fan, a simple dish that hails back to the tribe's past as a foraging people. With modern conveniences and changing tastes, this dish is at risk of becoming lost.
Aun Koh arrives in Jodhpur, India, for the king's favourite, a meat stew called Kachar Maans. Dating back some 200 years, it was originally cooked in the jungle with game meat hunted on royal expeditions. But with hunting now banned in India, how can this deluxe camping food fit for royalty survive?
Aun Koh arrives in Jodhpur, India, for the king's favourite, a meat stew called Kachar Maans. Dating back some 200 years, it was originally cooked in the jungle with game meat hunted on royal expeditions. But with hunting now banned in India, how can this deluxe camping food fit for royalty survive?
Food blogger Aun Koh is back on home ground, but finds himself totally unfamiliar with an Singaporean Eurasian dish called Curry Mohlyu. This is a food borne out of Portuguese Eurasian history and culture. Before they formed the backbone of British colonial civil service, they were fishermen.
Food blogger Aun Koh is back on home ground, but finds himself totally unfamiliar with an Singaporean Eurasian dish called Curry Mohlyu. This is a food borne out of Portuguese Eurasian history and culture. Before they formed the backbone of British colonial civil service, they were fishermen.
Nose to tail eating, where no part of an animal goes to waste, is a current global fad. But for centuries, Filipinos have been creatively cooking bits and ends like feet, innards and blood. This week, things get heady with the pricey Cabeza de Jabali cold cuts of meat made with a boar's head.
Nose to tail eating, where no part of an animal goes to waste, is a current global fad. But for centuries, Filipinos have been creatively cooking bits and ends like feet, innards and blood. This week, things get heady with the pricey Cabeza de Jabali cold cuts of meat made with a boar's head.
China's literati is said to eat better than the emperor. Bringing the pursuit of refinement into food, they create dishes like Henan's Zu An Smoked Mandarin Fish, with demanding fire control, and intricate "flower knife work" which gets the fish curling like a blossom when fried.
China's literati is said to eat better than the emperor. Bringing the pursuit of refinement into food, they create dishes like Henan's Zu An Smoked Mandarin Fish, with demanding fire control, and intricate "flower knife work" which gets the fish curling like a blossom when fried.
Among the four styles of cooking that make up Kyoto's cuisine, obanzai or traditional cooking is the least known. Aun discovers that even as some of their dishes are served at restaurants and sold at stores, Kyoto residents are losing the knowledge and skill to cook what they call soul foods.
Among the four styles of cooking that make up Kyoto's cuisine, obanzai or traditional cooking is the least known. Aun discovers that even as some of their dishes are served at restaurants and sold at stores, Kyoto residents are losing the knowledge and skill to cook what they call soul foods.
Made with a sauce that takes 30 days to perfect. An ingredient, 'grago' shrimp, that money often cant buy because of sporadic supply. All the reasons why a Singapore Peranakan braised pork dish, Babi Tohay, is vanishing. Chef Malcolm Lee, of Michelin-starred Candlenut Restaurant, shares his secrets
Made with a sauce that takes 30 days to perfect. An ingredient, 'grago' shrimp, that money often cant buy because of sporadic supply. All the reasons why a Singapore Peranakan braised pork dish, Babi Tohay, is vanishing. Chef Malcolm Lee, of Michelin-starred Candlenut Restaurant, shares his secrets