(Miri, 28th) — The 7th Annual 13 Clan Associations Food Sharing & Exchange, organized by the Women’s Branches of Miri's 13 Clan Associations and hosted by the Miri Hepo Clan Association Women’s Branch, was held in a warm atmosphere last night on the third floor of the Miri Hepo Clan Association building. Over 70 executive committee members and members from 11 clan women’s branches enthusiastically participated, making the event lively and congenial.
The participating clan associations and their dishes included: Miri Hakka Association Women's Branch (Stuffed Tofu), Miri Kwong Wai Siew Association Women's Branch (Traditional Cantonese Loh Hon Chai), Miri Fuzhou Association Women's Branch (Red Yeast Chicken), Miri Hainan Association Women's Branch (Hainanese Curry), Miri Hoi Ning Province Association Women's Branch (Sand Ginger Chicken), Miri Xing An Association Women's Branch (Xinghua Bee Hoon), Miri Zhao'an Association Women's Branch (Zhaoan Egg Roll), Miri Jiaying Five Counties Association Women's Branch (Spring Roll), Miri Dabu Clan Association Women's Branch (Yellow Wine Braised Pork), Miri Teochew Association Women's Branch (Teochew Style Braised Duck), and Miri Hepo Clan Association Women's Branch (Chicken & Wine, Braised Pork Trotter and Braised Rice, etc.).
This event not only fostered friendships and exchanges among the women’s branches, but also allowed participants to deepen their understanding and appreciation for traditional culture through food. It is noted that two associations were unable to participate this year — the Miri Kwong Ning Association Women's Branch and the Miri Ping Nan Association Women's Branch.
In her speech, Organizing Chairperson and Miri Hepo Clan Association Women’s Branch Director, Chua Su Fong, remarked that "Savoring Nostalgia, Passing Down a Hundred Flavors" truly embodies the spirit of this gathering.
She said that standing at the venue, the air was filled with the aroma of various hometown dishes, inevitably evoking the tastes prepared by grandmothers and mothers, which forms the collective culinary memory cherished by all thirteen clan associations.
She pointed out that behind every dish lies a unique story and cultural connotation; whether it is the flavor, the form of the dish, or the preparation process, each aspect is a precious cultural asset worthy of deep exploration and inheritance.
Chua Su Fong also urged that, apart from preserving traditional flavors, more thought should be given to how the younger generation can learn about and grow fond of these tastes from home. She encouraged leveraging online platforms to promote the “Thirteen Clan Associations’ Map of Flavors” on a broader stage, so that this sense of belonging can continue.
She hoped that through this exchange, everyone could temporarily put aside the busyness and hustle to draw closer together as they sample each other's signature dishes, share life moments, and find their personal taste of home in this celebration of food.
During the event, apart from sharing and tasting dishes, a banner was also handed over to the next host, the Miri Jiaying Five Counties Association Women’s Branch.
