10. Chicken Rice and the Making o...

10. Chicken Rice and the Making of an Empire

Satay? Okay! di Satay? Okay!
S1 · E10
19 nov 2025
01:00:20

Note sull'episodio

What does an American missionary have to do with Hainanese Chicken Rice in Malaysia? More than you ever thought possible.

In this season finale, we follow Malaysia's story up to the beginning of the 20th Century. The full occupation of the Malay peninsular is in Britain's sight. Spurious contracts, military force and secret conventions render the Malay rulers powerless. At the same time, war is brewing in China, leaving many to seek refugee in the comparative safety of Malaya.

We speak to chef Xianji Chen on the unique chicken rice stylings of Melaka. We also hear from Tan Tee Yong and Sherine Tan, owners of Happy Garden Restaurant in Penang, Yong shares his experiences of fusing British and Chinese culinary traditions and discusses his fears that the future of our food culture comes down to packaging.

Resources and References

A History of Malaysia (2016), Barbara Watson Andaya, Leonard Y. Andaya

Lee, E., Wong, S.P., Laxman, L. Language Maintenance and Cultural Viability in the Hainanese Community: A Case Study of the Melaka Hainanese (2014). Athens Journal of Humanities & Arts, Vol. 1, no. 2 pp. 157 – 168, https://doi.org/10.30958/ajha.1-2-6

Hoe Kee Chicken Rice - 468, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

Happy Garden Restoran - 206b, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Kampung Batu Feringgi, 11050 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Credits

Hosted by Dr Noby Leong and Philip Gibson

Produced by Dr Noby Leong and Philip Gibson

Sound Design by Jack Barr

English Dub by Liu Ziyang

Satay? Okay! is produced by Kopi Productions Limited

Parole chiave

food
Malaysia
Nusantara
British East India Company
British Crown
Residential System
Larut Wars
Pangkor Treaty
Secret Convention
Kingdom of Siam
Chicken Rice
Xianji Chen
Hoe Kee Chicken Rice
Tan Tee Yong
Sherine Tan
Happy Garden Restoran
Happy Garden Restaurant
Hainan
Hainanese
Hainanese cuisine
Taiping Rebellion
Opium Wars
Hong Xiuquan
Edwin Stevens
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
Qing Dynasty
Bangkok Treaty