I feel embarrassed because I’ve only heard of Borneo in passing. It wasn’t until I ran into this cookbook that I decided to do a little more research into this gorgeous island. Borneo is the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia. It is located north of Java, west of Sulawesi, and east of Sumatra. Don’t worry, I had to grab a map too.
There is a lot of history here, including info on the many ethnicities laying foundations on this island. Borneo is a melting pot of Chinese, Malaysian, and indigenous peoples who have coexisted on the island for many years. Let’s see how this reflects in their cuisine.
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Tamu: A Guest at the Bornean Table is a massive cookbook that provides a glimpse into Bornean cuisine and culture. The author, Bryan Koh wrote the cookbook Milkier Pigs & Violet Gold: Philippine Food Stories in 2014 which won a couple awards. He travels and experiences each cuisine from various cultures around Asia. Now, he brings our attention to Borneo.
This book is grand with food and location photographs! Tamu: A Guest at the Bornean Table illustrates the traditions and lives of the people who make up this amazing island. We’ll get to learn about distinct ingredients from Borneo that form the foundation of each dish.
I always find that food is a fantastic way to get a glimpse into the lives of people.
Tamu: A Guest at the Bornean Table is a hefty book! It has about 575 pages filled with photos, recipes, and stories from Borneo.
The photography is absolutely stunning. I love seeing the different techniques and ingredients they use. Also, the landscapes are breathtaking. I can see this being used in the kitchen and as a coffee table book.
If I can get my hands on it for a YouTube viewing, I definitely will!
Have you tried Bornean cuisine before? What are some places you would like to travel and explore?
~Kaiti
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