Halal Bak Chang Gains Popularity Among Muslim Malaysians

As more and more Malaysians embrace halal food, the demand for halal-certified Chinese dishes like Bak Chang is rising.

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In recent years, there has been a push to make traditional Chinese dishes more accessible to Malaysians of all backgrounds.

Bak Chang, a traditional Chinese dish, is gaining popularity among Muslim Malaysians due to the increasing availability of halal-certified versions.

Bak Chang is a triangular-shaped dumpling rice commonly eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival, which Malaysians of Chinese descent celebrate.

I love bak chang too. There is one place in Kluang town selling the halal bak chang. This weekend nak pergilah
— musangbatu (@musangbatu) June 22, 2023

It is not always made of pork and can have a variety of fillings, such as chicken, mushrooms, and peanuts.

Bak Chang is a popular dish among the Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka, and Hailam communities. Bak Chang Nyonya Peranakan is also popular among the Baba and Nyonya community.

Halal bak chang. Sape pernah try makan. Sedap ke ? Kalau ketupat kita tu letak santan yang ni tak ada la eh pic.twitter.com/YWPUzrOIbx
— wanisukarno (@wanisukarno) May 17, 2023

Making Traditional Dishes Inclusive and Accessible

This trend is good news for Muslim Malaysians and the Chinese community in Malaysia, as it allows them to share their traditional dishes with a wider audience.

The availability of halal Bak Chang has allowed Muslim Malaysians to enjoy this traditional Chinese dish without compromising their dietary requirements.

It has also let them experience the rich culinary traditions of different cultures.

Bamboo leaves are used to wrap bak chang because they are natural, abundant, and have a unique fragrance that enhances the flavour of the sticky rice and filling inside the dumpling. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

At the same time, it highlights the importance of making traditional dishes accessible to people of all backgrounds and dietary requirements.

As more and more Malaysians embrace halal food, the demand for halal-certified versions of traditional dishes is expected to continue to grow.

The Origin Of Bak Chang And Its Significance In Malaysian Culture

Bak Chang is deeply rooted in China’s history and culture.

According to legend, the dish originated during the Warring States period in China, when a famous poet and statesman named Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River in protest against the corrupt government of his time.

Bak chang is sold by the roadside in Hong Kong. Bak chang is made and eaten by the Chinese in China and the diaspora across East and South Asia. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

To prevent fish and other creatures in the river from eating Qu Yuan’s body, the people of his village wrapped glutinous rice in bamboo leaves and threw them into the river as an offering.

This later evolved into the tradition of eating Bak Chang during the Dragon Boat Festival, which is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar.

In Malaysia, the Dragon Boat Festival is an important cultural event for Malaysians of Chinese descent, who celebrate it by racing dragon boats and eating Bak Chang.

The dish symbolises remembrance of Qu Yuan and his sacrifice and is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.