Episode #297: A Taste of Resilience
Release Date: December 31
The vibrant flavors of Burmese cuisine have traveled far beyond the borders of Myanmar, embedding themselves into the fabric of global food culture. In a panel discussion we hosted earlier this year, culinary experts and Burmese diaspora members gathered to unravel the rich tapestry of Burmese food history, an endeavor that explores not just recipes and its intricate cooking techniques, but resilience, culture, and migration. We are now sharing this fascinating panel in podcast form on our usual feed.
Through stirring personal stories and insightful commentary, the panel highlights how Burmese cuisine has been preserved and transformed as communities have relocated globally, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Burmese people and their culinary traditions. The panelists, including celebrated chefs, food historians, and community leaders, bring to life the narrative of migration and adaptation, explaining how each wave of movement has influenced and been influenced by local flavors and culinary techniques.
A central theme of the discussion is how food is a form of cultural identity, and enables immigrant communities to maintain close links to their cultural homeland. As Burmese families settled in diverse locales such as Thailand, Australia, and the United States, they brought with them cherished recipes that were passed down through generations, and now infused with stories of survival and adaptation. The podcast weaves together personal tales within a broad historical context, reinforcing an understanding of food as a powerful symbol of personal and cultural identity.
The episode also delves into the ways that Burmese cuisine has adapted to new local tastes and ingredients. For example, because the fermented tea leaves used in its famous and distinctive tea leaf salad are hard to find abroad, kale or tea-infused oil are being used in their place. Such adaptations highlight the innovative spirit of Burmese cooks and their willingness to experiment while staying true to the essence of their culinary heritage.
The panel also discusses the role of Burmese cuisine in fostering community and building bridges in multi-ethnic societies. Food festivals, pop-up kitchens, and Burmese restaurants have become sites of cultural exchange and understanding, promoting a deeper appreciation of Myanmar's rich, culinary traditions among diverse audiences. These communal spaces not only nurture a sense of belonging among the Burmese diaspora but also invite others to partake in their treasured culinary history.
The following four guests joined the program:
• Kenneth Wong, a Burmese-American author, translator, and language teacher, will deliver the welcoming remarks. Born and raised in Yangon, he currently lives in San Francisco, California, and teaches Burmese language at UC Berkeley. His essays, short stories, articles, and poetry translations have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, AGNI, Portside Review, The Irrawaddy, Myanmar Times, Two Lines Press, The Journal of Burma Studies and others
• Ma Nandar is a feminist activist, a storyteller and a podcaster from Shan State, Myanmar. Her passion for justice and equity started early in life when she began to question the cultural norms in her community that she felt demeaned women’s lives. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Purple Feminists Group, and co-organized and co-directed “The Vagina Monologues” in Myanmar and Thailand. Like many, after the military coup, Nandar experienced significant trauma and instability, and turned to food for a familiar and comforting memory of home; cooking has become a form of therapy for her, like it is for so many other displaced Burmese.
• Htet Khine Soe (Ko Htet) became involved in political activism during his university years. He participated in the Saffron Revolution in 2007, which led to him being targeted by the military regime, forcing him into hiding. He joined the “Food Not Bombs” movement the following year, and then became a Student Union leader who protested against the National Education Law. He again faced arrest in 2015 on multiple charges, leading to another period of hiding. He faced arrest yet again in 2021, and in the hunt for him, his roommate's father was killed. Eventually, he escaped to Mae Sot on the Thai border, where he continues to reside with his family, working to help his friends mentally and physically through “Food Not Bombs” initiatives.
• Thin Lei Win is an acclaimed, multimedia journalist with a career spanning nearly 13 years as a correspondent for the Thomson Reuters Foundation. In addition to founding Myanmar Now, she also co-founded “The Kite Tales,” a distinctive storytelling and preservation project that documents the lives and stories of ordinary people throughout Myanmar and supports Burmese journalists and illustrators. Thin Lei Win has reported on humanitarian issues, with a focus on climate change and food insecurity. Her passion extends beyond journalism to the culinary world; she is an avid food enthusiast who delights in both cooking and eating, and enjoys feeding friends and family. Her enthusiasm for food has led her to explore the intricacies of the food system: how it is produced, processed and consumed, the persistent issue of hunger, and the impact of agriculture on climate change.