The evolution and recognition of self- identity in food and foodways of the overseas Chinese

Abstract

The overseas Chinese are the carriers of Chinese culture outside China. The establishment of self-identity through overseas Chinese food and foodways is a result of the overseas Chinese historical experience, living situation, cross-cultural experience and self-identity. There is a common ground for Chinese food culture-it is a cultural matrix that covers all the food varieties of Chinese communities living all over the globe. It is not defined by specific food or ingredients, but a set of variables complying with the Chinese philosophy of food. This chapter takes the evolution of Nyonya food and American-Chinese food as examples to analyse the stages of self-identity of overseas Chinese food culture according to the concepts of assimilation, isolation and integration of cultural inclusion theory.