Food is a “language” that brings everyone together, but it may sometimes create confusion if one doesn’t understand the food and the culture behind it. An influencer from China recently bought a Nasi Lemak in Malaysia, but in her mind, all she could think of was a “similar” food back in her hometown.
She thought it was Zong Zi – a Chinese rice dumpling stuffed with fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Zong zi
In her video, the influencer was shocked to find minimal to zero resemblance in the Nasi Lemak with Zong Zi after finding the dish that she bought came with an egg and some Sambal. Without using any cutleries, she devoured the Nasi Lemak by holding the pack itself and commented on the Malaysian cuisine.
“It’s spicy, and it comes with chicken meats. This is Malaysia’s Zong Zi!” she remarked.
Her confusion did not sit well with many Malaysians, with some highlighting her ignorance about the food and the culture, while others pointed out that it was merely content for engagement.
Regardless, the influencer has since apologised via her latest post and said she was well aware of all the comments that pointed out her confusion.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think a sticky rice dumpling could cause so much anger. Do you guys still want to eat Zong Zi?” she jokingly remarked in her apology video.
Netizens, on the other hand, still did not buy her apology and some thought she had known all along that the Nasi Lemak was not Zong Zi.
“You guys are too serious, do you think she’s stupid? It was obvious from the start that she was joking about it.”
Another netizen, however, pointed out that Malaysian food is not meant to be taken as a joke.
“Maybe your intention was merely to joke, but if you had explained about it, you wouldn’t get schooled. Don’t joke about Malaysian food.”
Do you think she was merely creating content, and it was purely her confusion?
