How Kueh Evolved From Savoury To Sweet Through Cross-Cultural Fusion | Southeast Asia On A Plate

Join Chef Justin Foo as he uncovers how Kueh are a testament to Southeast Asia’s colourful history of cross-cultural fusion sparked by migration and war! Digging into the origins of the Ang Ku Kueh, Chef Justin discovers how Malay culinary traditions, through the hands of Peranakan ladies of the past, transformed the imported Chinese creation into a dessert bursting with Southeast Asian flavours.

He learns that the people’s love for many forms of Kueh didn’t dim even through the darkest years of Japanese Occupation. Instead, some sweet delights even became a necessary staple of the wartime diet, thanks to their readily available ingredients. Diving even further into the region’s past, Chef Justin discovers that the Kueh Lapis Legit is truly a product of Southeast Asia’s history as the epicenter of the once lucrative global spice trade.

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00:00 Introduction
03:03 Selling thousands of ang ku kueh for the coming festival
06:41 Significance of kuehs at the Jade Emperor's birthday
11:18 Different ang ku kuehs from different cultures
14:15 Making traditional Peranakan kueh koo
21:04 Where did tutu kueh come from?
24:52 Putu piring, a rice flour kueh sold by street vendors
28:51 Why people ate kuehs during the Japanese Occupation
30:08 Making kueh bingka, a tapioca-based kueh eaten during war time
35:06 European demand for spices from Southeast Asia
38:18 How cookbooks show the origin of kueh lapis
43:22 Meet one of the first sellers of kueh lapis in Singapore

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About the show: Join our chefs as they embark on a journey to uncover the untold stories and unexpected twists in the genesis of some of Southeast Asia’s most beloved culinary treasures.
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#CNAInsider #OnAPlateCNA #SoutheastAsia #Singapore #Colony #Cake #Kue #Spice #Trade

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[hausofyana]

came here for the handsome chef, keep him

[wjuipzk]

All these kues on the plate were sentimental to me. My late beloving mom was used to make and sell them. I helped her a lot since I was a kid. Now everytime I see or taste them, I shed my tears in my heart.

[dsoh]

Yep, the kueh lapis recipe is correct. My mum's version also uses 40 egg yolks... And brandy. But we don't hv the orange peel... Mmmm now tempted to try adding that in

[mlim]

This documentary and the like by the same channel should be rated 5 stars. Very educational and well done.

[nikhilkay]

Being from Indian subcontinent i could see so many similarities, the significance of tortoise where hindus have tortoise in their home for good luck and prosperity, the rituals where there is offering of fruits and incense.

[Dly_life]

I miss kue tok ... those tradisional cake are alwahs look so delicious

[creativespaceslandscaping]

I absolutely love your videos! 🥰 Thank you! Xoxo

[Chicky]

Here in indonesia, central java, we called kueh ku = kue moto kebo (bufallo eye)
Putu still make in bamboo with steam sound
Kueh bingka similiar "lepet" make from casava and palm sugar that wrap with banana leaf then steam
Kue lapis is the same

[lilyfarida]

Kue lapis legit, kue ku, kue putu all of them are very common in our lives as Indonesian. As for kue lapis legit, because of the high price, usually we only eat kue lapis legit in special occasion such as hari raya Idul Fitri, Christmas, Chinese New Year.

[tubreeze]

I believe there is another type of song gao that is more similar to tutu kueh—it’s also called yunpian gao 云片糕. The cooking method is also similar, where loose dry rice flour is packed together before steaming. But it is just my speculation that they are related. I am no food historian.

[simplyme]

The leaves below tutu kuehs are pandan leaves not banana.

[ylw]

Also related: Filipino bibingka and puto(s)

[appleish]

Why I love watching CNA, it shows food/cultures that are blended from multiple parts of the world. Not like China, everything is Chinese! We made it first! We don’t acknowledge other’s input into making the dish/traditions better.
While this dessert is not to my liking (I like it, and I will eat if offer to me, but I don’t go and buy it like say cake/ice cream), it’s still very nice to have and everyone should try it at least once 😊

[MrBoliao]

Ang Ku Kueh is in Taiwan, it means its from Fujian, if not they won't have it. Same thing as Wa Kueh and some dishes, like Braised Pork

[mingkalli]

The title should say the evolution of kueh-kueh (not kueh) from Malay to Nyonya to chinese. Ah ya!

[milanafedelia]

for me, the OG lapis legit is soo expensive. and in this economy, since it contains eggs i guess the price is much higher

[anziar]

Many thanks to the PAP govt, diversity and inclusivity are embraced in s'pore.❤❤

[shahesfelazi]

Putu piring is an indian kueh right its not chinese origin, malays and I am suprised that chinese sell the kueh.

[crazygambler]

What’s Kueh in Cantonese? New year’s cake?

[hawaandroid]

Before the existance of Dutch Batavia, there already developing city at that place. Malay shahbandar and trading port already exist before the coming of Dutch.Dutch wont come to colonise undeveloped place,