If you don’t already know by now, Bah Kut Teh is an incredibly famous dish in Malaysia where it features pork ribs being simmered in a pot soup filled with herbs and spices. The name “bak kut teh” translates to “meat bone tea” in Hokkien, reflecting its main ingredients of pork ribs and a tea-like aroma of the broth.
Famous Bah Kut Teh finally crowned as National Heritage Food in M’sia
According to local newspaper Kosmo!, it was announced that Bah Kut Teh has finally been crowned as part of the National Heritage Dish in Malaysia! Following the announcement, the declaration was made Heritage Objects Declaration 2024, which was published later on by the Attorney General’s Department and the Federal Government Gazette!
Muhamad Muda Bahadin, the Commissioner of Heritage exercised the rights given under subsection 49(1) of the National Heritage Act 2005 [Act 645] by declaring the objects listed in the heritage object schedule.
Source: Kosmo!
Looking at the list, other than Bah Kut Teh, other must-have dishes that were listed included Mee Kolok and Nasi ambeng. Traditional cakes included, Dodol Kukus Tahi Minyak, Kuih Lapis, Kuih Karas and Uthappam. While Jeruk Tuhau and Air katira has been named as the national appetizer and drink!
And while Bah Kut Teh is originally cooked with pork ribs, many restaurants and stalls would modify the ingredients, such as substituting pork meat with chicken meat, so that other customers can also have a taste of the hearty soup.
Source: Kosmo!
Prior to this, the issue had sparked a heated debate amongst the MPs on whether the dish was suitable to be listed as part of the National heritage Food list.
Happy to see that the dish finally receives its due recognition! What other food do you think deserves to be listed as a National Heritage Food? Let us know!
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Also read: Top 100 pastries in the world: M’sia’s famous snack curry puff ranks 5th out of 100!
