Exploring Southeast Asian Foods by Ethnicity

From My Food Readings This Week:

1. The Lanna people refer to the ethnic Tai groups who historically inhabited the Kingdom of Lanna (1292–1775), which covered present-day northern Thailand, including provinces like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Lampang. They are primarily associated with the Tai Yuan ethnic group, who still make up the majority population in northern Thailand today.

2. Peranakan means "locally born" in Malay. The most well-known group is the Baba-Nyonya (Straits Chinese), descended from Chinese traders who settled in Malacca, Penang, and Singapore during the 15th–19th centuries.

3. The Malay people (Orang Melayu) are an Austronesian ethnic group native to Southeast Asia, primarily found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, southern Thailand, and parts of the Philippines. They share a common language, culture, and historical background linked to the Malay world (Alam Melayu), which historically consisted of Malay sultanates and maritime trading states.

4. The Lao people are an ethnic group native to Laos and parts of northeastern Thailand (Isan). They are the dominant ethnic group in Laos, making up over 50% of the population, and are closely related to the Thai, Tai Yuan, and Shan peoples.

5. The Thái people (Người Thái in Vietnamese) are an ethnic minority in Vietnam, distinct from the ethnic Thai of Thailand. They belong to the Tai ethnic group and are closely related to the Lao, Shan, and Tai Yuan people. They mainly inhabit northwestern Vietnam, especially in the provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, and Thanh Hoa.

6. The Balinese people are an Austronesian ethnic group native to Bali, Indonesia. They are known for their unique Hindu-Balinese culture, which blends Hinduism, animism, and indigenous traditions. While Bali is their homeland, Balinese communities also exist in other parts of Indonesia, such as Lombok, Sumatra, and Sulawesi.

7. The Mon people are an Austroasiatic ethnic group native to Myanmar and Thailand. They are one of the oldest civilizations in mainland Southeast Asia. The Mon played a significant role in the spread of Theravāda Buddhism and influenced the cultures of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

8. The Maranao people are an indigenous Muslim ethnic group primarily found in the Mindanao region of the Philippines, particularly in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. They are part of the larger Moro group, which consists of various Muslim ethnicities in the Philippines. The term Maranao means "people of the lake," referring to their traditional settlement around Lake Lanao, one of the largest lakes in the country.

Meanwhile, Did you know that......

The Italian American dish cioppino was made in 1898 by Italian immigrants in San Francisco, who lived in the North Beach neighborhood of that city. They were from the port cities of Genoa and Naples. When an Italian fisherman came back empty-handed, he would walk around with a pot, so the other fishermen could chip in whatever they could. What ever ended up in the pot became that man's cioppino. The fishermen that chipped in expected the same treatment if they came back empty-handed in the future. It later became a staple and Italian restaurants in San Francisco and Monterey ended up serving the dish in their restaurants. It is a combination of crab, clams, shrimp, scallops, squid, mussels and fish, all coming from the ocean. The seafood is then combined with fresh tomatoes in a wine sauce. The dish can be served with toasted bread, either sourdough or French bread. 

Finally, Did you Know that.....

Before the Spanish arrived, the Philippines had its own currency—made of pure gold! Tiny coin-like Piloncitos and gold barter rings were used in trade as early as the 9th century.

But here’s the kicker—these ancient Filipino currencies have been found across Asia, proving that our ancestors were part of a vast international trade network! Today, a single Piloncito can fetch thousands of dollars, a testament to the rich and sophisticated economy of pre-colonial Filipinos

Personal Note: Here's one of the Pinoy Dishes, I used to order via DoorDash, before my move to THD.

Sweet and Sour Fish Pompano with Blue Rice and Pork Adobo and Green Beans