Part 3/11:

Food as a Reflection of Migration and Identity

Tracing the food stories of Telok Ayer reveals layers of migration and cultural adaptation. For example, he emphasizes that early Chinese immigrants, including the Hokkiens, brought rice as their fundamental carbohydrate source, which remains a common element in diverse dishes today. The story of sweet potato rice cakes exemplifies adaptation during times when rice was costly, underscoring how economic factors influence cuisine.