China Series : Chai Buoh Giang

In the olden days radish was grown along the Rajang River basin in large amounts. Somehow in my memory as well as many of my contemporaries' memories our relatives did not have many problems with bugs, viruses and diseases which attacked their vegetables.

So radishes were quite easily grown and well harvested. The surplus would always be made in dried and slated radish slices, stored in jars or bottles and taken out to fry as side dishes for our porridge.

This fried ,salted and preserved radish slices (often chopped fine) has always been a comfort food for us.

Today preserved radishes can come all the way from China as few people grow their own vegetables in Sarawak. Radish is no longer easily grown because of plant diseases too.

Besides China, TAiwan, Australia and Genting Highlands can produce large quantities of fresh radishes.