Popiah

Popiah is a type of spring roll commonly found in Malaysia, Singapore, Medan, and Taiwan. It is a popular street food and is also frequently served in restaurants and at festive occasions.

Origin

The word "popiah" is derived from the Hokkien term "poh-piah" which means "thin wafer". The dish is believed to have originated from Fujian province in China, and was brought to Southeast Asia by Chinese immigrants.

Preparation

Popiah is made by filling a thin, soft pancake with a variety of ingredients. The pancake is typically made from wheat flour and is similar to a crepe. The filling usually consists of finely grated and steamed jicama (also known as yam bean or turnip), which is mixed with cooked carrot, bean sprouts, and lettuce leaves. Other common ingredients include tofu, prawns, and Chinese sausage. The roll is then garnished with sweet soy sauce, crushed peanuts, and fried shallots.

Variations

There are many regional variations of popiah. In Malaysia and Singapore, it is often served fresh, while in Taiwan, it is typically served deep-fried. In Medan, a version known as "lumpia" is popular, which is similar to the fresh version but includes additional ingredients such as bamboo shoots and eggs.

Cultural Significance

Popiah is often made at home during family gatherings, where each person can customize their own roll with their preferred ingredients. It is also a common dish during the Chinese New Year and other festive occasions.

See Also

• Spring roll
• Chinese cuisine
• Malaysian cuisine
• Singaporean cuisine
• Taiwanese cuisine