Satay? Okay! is available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
10. Chicken Rice and the Making of an Empire – Satay? Okay!
What does an American missionary have to do with Hainanese Chicken Rice in Malaysia? More than you ever thought possible.In this season finale, we follow Malaysia's story up to the beginning of the 20th Century. The full occupation of the Malay peninsular is in Britain's sight. Spurious contracts, military force and secret conventions render the Malay rulers powerless. At the same time, war is brewing in China, leaving many to seek refugee in the comparative safety of Malaya.We speak to chef Xianji Chen on the unique chicken rice stylings of Melaka. We also hear from Tan Tee Yong and Sherine Tan, owners of Happy Garden Restaurant in Penang, Yong shares his experiences of fusing British and Chinese culinary traditions and discusses his fears that the future of our food culture comes down to packaging.Resources and ReferencesA History of Malaysia (2016), Barbara Watson Andaya, Leonard Y. AndayaLee, E., Wong, S.P., Laxman, L. Language Maintenance and Cultural Viability in the Hainanese Community: A Case Study of the Melaka Hainanese (2014). Athens Journal of Humanities & Arts, Vol. 1, no. 2 pp. 157 – 168, https://doi.org/10.30958/ajha.1-2-6Hoe Kee Chicken Rice – 468, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, MalaysiaHappy Garden Restoran – 206b, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Kampung Batu Feringgi, 11050 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang, MalaysiaCreditsHosted by Dr Noby Leong and Philip GibsonProduced by Dr Noby Leong and Philip GibsonSound Design by Jack BarrEnglish Dub by Liu ZiyangSatay? Okay! is produced by Kopi Productions Limited
- E10 – Chicken Rice and the Making of an Empire
What does an American missionary have to do with Hainanese Chicken Rice in Malaysia? More than you ever thought possible. - E9 – Toddy and the Colonisers’ Secret Treaty
There’s no whisky in a Malaysian toddy. That’s because toddy in Malaysia refers to the kombucha-like coconut drink. Toddy is sugary, sour and a bit funky. But like so many of Malaysia’s foods, the sweet taste obscures a very dark origin. - E8 – Laksa and the Great British Lie
Tried laksa with spaghetti? Or sour tamarind laksa? Laksa comes in many forms, but a classic Nyonya laksa has captured global hearts more than others. Its a dish that’s central to the Chinese Peranakan community – a community that found unusual favour in Britain-controlled Malaya. - E7 – Kueh and the Unlikely Dutch Affair
Kueh defies classification. Even kueh experts can’t land on a definition. Perhaps that’s because kueh has influences from around the world, notably from European colonisers. - E6 – Sambal and the Portuguese Invasion
If Malaysia has a national condiment, it would be sambal. Yet as central as sambal is to Malaysia’s culinary heritage, it wouldn’t exist without Portugal. - E5 – Spices and the Rise of Melaka
Would you sacrifice an ox for the sake of cinnamon? Spices were once the global currency, sometimes worth more than gold. Myths around spices kept the prices high, fuelling spice empires around the world, including in Melaka - E4 – Belacan and the Forgotten Ancient Empires
Do you know Bella Chan? Fishing traditions gave rise to one of Malaysia’s most important ingredients – belacan. Beyond cuisine though, belacan tells us a lot about Malaysia’s seafaring history. - E3 – Coconuts and the Land Before Borders
Can coconuts really travel along ocean currents? Maybe, but that’s probably not how they spread around the world. We look at coconuts and Malaysia’s ancient maritime history. The Malay and Indonesian archipelagos contain some 25,000 islands, home to communities that were once much more connected. These are the lands of Nusantara, a common ancestor of many South East Asian cultures. - E2 – Durian and the Arrival of the First Peoples
Is durian really that controversial? Pop culture will have you believe that durian is equal parts maligned and celebrated. But there’s so much more to the King of Fruits than its smell. - E1 – Satay and the Myth of Malaysian Cuisine
There’s no such thing as Malaysian cuisine! In the very first episode, we shatter the myths surrounding Malaysia and its diverse food culture. Kicking things off with satay, we look at the mysterious origins of this classic Malaysian dish. It’s a story that tells us a lot about what people know, and think they know, about Malaysia.
Satay? Okay! 