Asian Americans have been sharing their unique twist on the traditional Thanksgiving feast.
23 November 2017: Today is America’s national holiday to give thanks and indulge in turkey. Traditionally, mash potatoes, stuffing, gravy and vegetables are all served on the side of a rather giant bird – not to mention a hearty portion of pumpkin pie for dessert.
Asian American families who also wish to immerse themselves in the glutinous holiday often put their own twist on the meal. Preserving their own roots and drawing from their own culture, Asian Thanksgivings are certainly something to marvel at.
The Huffington Post‘s Kimberly Yam asked her Asian followers to share their take on the traditional meal with the hashtag #MyAsianThanksgiving and the results are fantastic.
What do my Asian-American friends on Twitter eat on Thanksgiving? My fam does duck instead of turkey and rice cakes instead of mashed potatoes.
And mb a lil baijiu. #MyAsianThanksgiving— Kimberly Yam (@kimmythepooh) November 21, 2017
One Twitter user described a Filipino-style Thanksgiving, “Lumpia, lechon, and halo halo. 1/4 watches football, 1/4 play mahjong, 1/4 is singing karaoke, and those left watch the kids and keep eating.”
Another also emphasised the importance of Filipino spring rolls. “Any occasion I go to my mom’s, it’s all about lumpia. Piles and piles of lumpia. On Thanksgiving, sure, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, all that good stuff too… and then more lumpia.”
Some went down a more Chinese inspired Thanksgiving. “Sticky rice with fixings (Chinese sausage, shrimp, mushroom) & braised shiitake with tofu! Gotta have that turkey still!” said one commenter.
However, some steered away from Thanksgiving’s traditional turkey. “Noodles, spring rolls, veggie stir fry and chicken (not turkey!),” said one. “1st time tasted roasted turkey 2 years ago. Won’t happen again. Feels like eating jerky and the taste not withstanding. Bad cooking? Batch?” said another.
Others also suggested a 50/50 mix of both western and Asian cuisines. “My fam likes the turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce but we also bring dishes like pigs feet and always a heaping pile of Chinese broccoli,” said Twitter user.
“We do turkey. Traditional sides like mashed patatos. then have Asian sides like papaya salad. Egg rolls everything lol,” said another.
🍜 We have crispy chicken with garlic instead of turkey. Peking pork chops instead of ham. White rice instead of mashed potatoes. Noodles instead of mac n’cheese. Can’t forget Sweet red pea soup for dessert 😋 #MyAsianThanksgiving
— Andrew Lee Yoga (@AndrewLeeYoga) November 22, 2017
Sticky rice with fixings (Chinese sausage, shrimp, mushroom) & braised shiitake with tofu! Gotta have that turkey still!
— MikeT (@MikeAGSix) November 21, 2017
Just hot pot!! Haha but so yum
— Jfu (@JennyFu3) November 21, 2017
Lumpia, lechon, and halo halo. 1/4 watches football, 1/4 play mahjong, 1/4 is singing karaoke, and those left watch the kids and keep eating.😂😂😂
— Wandering Runner (@4getful_me) November 21, 2017
Roasted duck with mashed potatoes, Brussels, etc.. and my mom makes jok so we don’t starve while we cook!
— Alyssa (@AlyssaLlwyd) November 21, 2017
My family eats Cornish hen and green sticky rice with Maggi soy sauce! #MyAsianThanksgiving
— Phi Nguyen (@phiunguyen) November 22, 2017
We do turkey. Traditional sides like mashed patatos. then have Asian sides like papaya salad. Egg rolls everything lol
— MC (@_MC25) November 22, 2017
Noodles, spring rolls, veggie stir fry and chicken (not turkey!) 😂
— ♍️ (@gerbilpilot) November 22, 2017
My fam likes the turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce but we also bring dishes like pigs feet and always a heaping pile of Chinese broccoli
— Buzz buzz (@BumbleBeedon) November 21, 2017
