Bakkwa

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Bakkwa

Bakkwa on display in a shop in Singapore
Traditional Chinese: 肉乾
Simplified Chinese: 肉干
Literal meaning: meat dried

Bakkwa, or rougan is a Chinese salty-sweet dried meat product similar to jerky, made in the form of flat thin sheets. It is normally made from pork. Bakkwa is believed to have originated from a meat preservation and preparation technique used in ancient China that is still practiced in places with Hoklo (Hokkien) influence.

In Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines bakkwa or ba gua is the most widely used name. Cantonese speakers use the term yuhk gōn', Anglicised version long yok, while in China and Taiwan the product is more commonly known as rougan. Commercially available versions are sometimes labeled as "barbecued pork," "dried pork," or "pork jerky." Rougan is particularly popular as a snack in Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines. In Beidou, Taiwan, it is regarded as one of the three pork delicacies.

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[edit] Cultural significance

In Malaysia and Singapore, bakkwa has become a highly popular gift offered to visitors and acquaintances, as well as amongst corporate employees (some during the Chinese New Year. In Muslim-majority countries like Malaysia, halal chicken varieties of the snack may be used as a gift substitute. It may also be served in functions such as Chinese wedding banquets and religious ceremony dinners. While demand is particular high during the festive seasons, it is also served throughout the year in various outlets as takeaway snacks or to be served together with main courses at home. The meat is commonly sold in red-coloured bags or packaging, an auspicious colour in Chinese culture.

[edit] Preparation

Traditionally, bakkwa was made using leftover meats from festivals and banquets. They were preserved with sugar and salt, and then kept for later consumption, and was the preferred method at a time when refrigeration was not available. The meat from these celebrations is trimmed of the fat, sliced, marinated and then smoked. After smoking, the meat is cut into small pieces and stored for later. It is believed that the distinguishing feature behind the preparation was in the marination, and the recipe is often closely guarded.

Contemporarily, however, the meat is often prepared using fresh produce or imported pre-packed and pre-marinated from China, often barbecued in high-temperature ovens locally. Currently, two main variants exist, with more traditional ones involving minced meat shaped into slices (碎片肉干), and the newer versions involving slicing off solid blocks of meat (切片肉干). The latter, although more expensive, became increasingly popular due to its tougher texture and healthier lower fat content. The meat is most commonly served plain and in square-shaped slices, though spicy versions are also popular. It may be cut into bite-sized circles to resemble coins, thus referred to as "Golden Coins" (金钱肉干) for auspicious reasons during the festive seasons. More adventurous chains have attempted to introduce more novel ways of selling the meat.

[edit] Popular culture

A bubble gum-like packaging for bakkwa was virtually invented in the Singaporean movie I Not Stupid.

[edit] Notable bakkwa shops, brands and chains

[edit] North America

[edit] Malaysia

  • Chun Me Food Trading ("xin quan mei")
  • Tan Heong Kee("Chan Heong Kee")
  • Wing Heong
  • Kiew Brothers ("Wo lai Yeh")
  • Hock Seng Guan ("Fuk Sing Yun")

[edit] Singapore

  • Bee Cheng Hiang (Měi Zhēn Xiāng)
  • Fragrance Foodstuff (Xiāng Wèi Ròu Gān)
  • Lim Chee Guan (Lín Zhì Yuán)
  • Tan Chee Yuan (Chén Zhì Yuán)
  • New Peng Hiang (Xīn Pǐn Xiāng)
  • Golden Glory Food Industries (Dragon Phoenix Brand)

[edit] Taiwan

[edit] Philippines

  • Bee Tin

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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Cuisine of Malaysia by ethnicity
Malay Ketupat sayur
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