Endoh’s Dungeon

Mum decided to reward me today with Bah Kut Teh today for helping to clean up the entire house the past few days. No, I’m not talking about buying it at the hawker centre but Mum cooked it today. For the benefit of my overseas readers, Bah Kut Teh is actually pork ribs soup. It originated in Malaysia if I have not remembered wrongly.

As I was enjoying my Bah Kut Teh, it just struck me. Why is it Bah Kut Teh and not Bah Kut Teng?

Most people who enjoy a hearty meal of Bah Kut Teh knows, by no means it is “teh”. Why do I say that? Well, “teh” is tea and “teng” is soup. What we call it all the time is Bah Kut Teh when it’s not “teh”. Why? This is something I never understood. In fact, I thought of several possibilities but of course they are not the real reasons. The real reason - I will never know.

Could it be the soup itself? We know the true Bah Kut Teh appreciators not only hunt for the best pork ribs but also the taste of the soup. People like me, drink soup like as if it’s tea. There’s no end. It feels damn good when the hot soup runs down your throat isn’t it? But is that sufficient to call it “teh” and not “teng”?

How about… the tradition is always to serve Chinese Tea along with Bah Kut Teh. The reason for doing so is to help digest the fats that we consumed through this dish. Yes, Bah Kut Teh really isn’t tasty without a little fats. However, the health-conscious people can still enjoy Bah Kut Teh without having to worry. So is that the reason why it is called “teh” and not “teng”? My guess is, chances are slim that it was named after the Chinese Tea than the ingredients itself.

I wondered if anyone truly knows the reasons behind the “teh”. It will be an interesting thing to know.

UPDATE: IT’S THE TEA… IT’S THE TEA… IT’S REALLY THE TEA. lol

Meanwhile, 2007 is drawing to a close at 12 midnight today. Let’s just say, another chapter closes and the new one opens. While I don’t have anything much in terms of resolutions (I feel resolutions are stupid anyway…), it’s only natural that I hope everything next year will be better than this year. (Mum! Stop telling me I offended this God that God down up centre left right… I am not interested!!!! LOL!)

Well, all I can say to everyone whom has been kind enough to loan me your ears (your eyes I meant!) in my blog, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Have a great party if you’re going for one, otherwise enjoy it with your family and loved ones. That’s the basic.

For those whom are in bad health or with loved ones suffering from ailments, I hope things will get better and less suffering in the coming year.

For those with business and financial problems, hey it’s 2008. “8″ = FA!! That translates to “get rich” in Chinese literally. So I hope you will figure a way out and improve the situation in the coming year.

My bad… if I miss out anything, forgive me. HAPPY NEW YEAR once again!