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- Mouthwatering Hakka Yam Abacus Beads.
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- The dish was called abacus beads due to the shape of the mini dumplings.
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- Use quality yam which can cost up to RM20 per kilo for best taste.
MIRI: One of the traditional dishes of the Hakka has a strange-sounding name – Yam Abacus Beads.
The mini dumplings shaped like abacus beads are made from yam, tapioca and flour.
They are fried with garlic, shallots and minced meat – hence the name.
It is considered an auspicious dish for special occasions.
Miri Thai Poo Association’s Women Section often cooks the dish for the Qing Ming Festival.
“There is no cultural culinary ties between Yam Abacus Beads and Qing Ming, however, our association made a pact to serve the special dish during the festival for the huge gatherings of our members and their families,” a member of the Women’s Section, NF Lai told The Borneo Post.
The dough is a mixture of yam, tapioca and flour kneaded and shaped into abacus beads.
“The dumplings would then be steamed until soft and left to cool before being stir-fried with other ingredients to give an aromatic flavour,” she said.
“It depends on the cook to decide on what ingredients to use and how the dish should be cooked.
“According to our association’s recipe, the dish is cooked with minced chicken or pork, dried squid, mushrooms, garlic, shallots and seasoned with light soy sauce, salt and sugar.”
The dough, she added, is the star of the dish.
“To get the best taste, we would purchase the best quality yam. During this time of the year, a kilo of good quality yam can cost up to RM20.”
Lai said the dish is usually homemade.
“We understand that due to cost and inflation, it’s not easy to make a dish of best taste at low price. So, we encourage people to learn and make it at home, though it takes a bit more effort.”
Miri Thai Poo Association will hold yearly Qing Ming prayers at Krokop Chinese Cemetery on the morning of March 19 followed by an annual general meeting and dinner gathering at Boulevard Restaurant from 6.30pm on the same day.
“During prayers, we will slaughter a pig and a goat as offering to our ancestors and thereafter produce two of our best gourmet dishes using these offerings as ingredients.”