The Khmer language is the national language of Cambodia, spoken by approximately 16 million people. Belonging to the Austroasiatic language family, its history spans about 2000 years. Evolving since the era of the ancient Khmer Empire, this language forms the core of Cambodian culture and history. Language Features Khmer boasts one of the longest alphabets in the world, comprising 33 consonants and 23 vowels. Influenced by Indian culture, this script was established during the Khmer Empire era. The Khmer alphabet, with its complex and beautiful characters, can be seen in many Cambodian temples and ancient manuscripts. The grammar of the Khmer language follows a subject-verb-object order, but lacks extensive inflections to indicate gender, number, tense, or case. This implies that Khmer has a relatively simple structural composition. Additionally, unlike many other Southeast Asian languages, Khmer does not use tones. Numerals and Their Usage The numeral system in Khmer is heavily influenced by Indian culture. Traditional Indian-style numbers are used, playing a significant role in Cambodia's cultural and economic history. The numerals used in markets and everyday conversations demonstrate the strong ties of the Khmer language to Indian culture. Comparison with Other Languages Khmer is part of the Austroasiatic language family, sharing some similarities with Vietnamese and other Mon-Khmer languages. While it shares some basic vocabulary with Vietnamese, there are significant differences in pronunciation, grammar, and cultural contexts. Khmer also shares the lack of tonality with the Mon language and other Mon-Khmer languages, but these are minority languages with considerably different grammar and vocabulary from Khmer. The uniqueness of the Khmer language is deeply rooted in the region's culture and history. It has evolved distinctly from many other languages and is deeply tied to the identity of the Cambodian people. The language continues to play a role as part of Cambodia's rich heritage and as the soul of the nation today. This article focuses on the multifaceted features of the Khmer language and its cultural significance. It is more than just a means of communication; it reflects the lifestyles, history, and culture of the Cambodian people. Cultural Influence The Khmer language profoundly impacts Cambodia's traditional music, dance, literature, and arts. Inscriptions in ancient temples, including Angkor Wat, traditional stories, and poems are all written in Khmer. These elements are treasured as national pride and cultural heritage, with the Khmer language playing a crucial role in connecting the past with the present. Education and Society In Cambodia, Khmer is central to education, with all official schooling conducted in this language. As the country's international relationships strengthen, learning foreign languages like English and French is increasing, yet the importance of Khmer remains unchanged. Additionally, Cambodian media and official government communications are primarily conducted in Khmer. The Future of the Language In today's globalized world, the Khmer language is undergoing changes and evolution. The younger generation is incorporating new vocabulary and expressions, and the widespread use of social media and the internet is also altering how the language is used. However, its underlying cultural values and traditions remain steadfast, and Khmer continues to be at the core of Cambodia's identity. The Khmer language is more than just words. It symbolizes the history, culture, and identity of the Cambodian people. Learning this beautiful language means touching the heart and soul of Cambodia. Through this article, we hope to convey the richness and cultural importance of the Khmer language. It is a living language, bridging Cambodia's past and future. Need Khmer translation? Contact us now!

Today I'd like to share a story of someone who was able to increase the sales of her online business just by adding translations of other languages. When Maria first started her online clothing store back in 2017, her website was only offering products in English. But soon she realized that she was gaining more access from people outside of the country where she lives. Though she didn't know why it was the case, she was also getting some orders from overseas, too. She was determined to expand her customer base, so with a help of a friend from college who speaks both English and Spanish fluently because she was originally from Mexico, she decided to add Spanish translation to her website. And only a week later, she received a order from a customer from Argentina, which she had never thought of selling her products to because she don't know anyone from there and didn't think it was even possible. But this experience made her want to add more translation for her website. Maria decided to get her website translated into 4 more languages: French, German, Chinese, and Japanese. It was a big investment for her to do all languages at once, she thought so it had to be done one language at a time but adding German translation, she saw a significant increase in traffic from German customers, and orders started to come in, which made her decide to add rest of the languages right away. Soon after, Maria's website began ranking higher in search results for those languages, but the benefits of translation didn't stop there. As more customers were able to understand and purchase products on her website, Maria's sales skyrocketed. In the first year after adding translation to her website, the sales profit increased by 200%! Maria's success story is a testament to the power of translation. By making her website available in multiple languages, she was able to tap into new markets and reach a global audience. The result was amazing and she's happy that she made the choice back then, even though she thought it could be a waste of time and money at once point. She's happy that she listened to her inner voice too. What did you think of her story? Write a comment below! If you're thinking of getting your website translated and needs help, feel free to contact us! Thank you and see you again soon!

When it comes to hiring a translator for your translation project, you have two main options: 1) You can hiring a freelance translator or 2) you can use a translation agency. The questions is, how do you know which is better for your business? Since both options have their pros and cons, which would be a better choice for you will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. Let's examine each option's pros and cons in more detail. Pros of hiring a freelance translator: Cost: Freelance translators often charge lower rates than translation agencies, so hiring a freelancer can be a more cost-effective option. Flexibility: Freelancers are typically able to work on a flexible schedule, which can be beneficial if you have a tight deadline or need to make last-minute changes to your project. Personalized service: When you work with a freelance translator, you have the opportunity to develop a one-on-one relationship with your translator. This can be helpful if you have specific preferences or need to provide additional context for your translation. Cons of hiring a freelance translator: Quality: While there are many talented and professional freelance translators, it can be more difficult to ensure the quality of their work compared to a translation agency, which typically has quality control processes in place. Capacity: Freelance translators may have limited capacity and may not be able to take on large projects or handle tight deadlines. Lack of support: When you work with a freelancer, you don't have the support of a team of professionals. If something goes wrong or you have questions, you may not have the same level of support as you would with a translation agency. Pros of using a translation agency: Quality: Translation agencies typically have quality control processes in place to ensure the accuracy and quality of their translations. Capacity: Translation agencies have a team of professionals and can typically handle large projects and tight deadlines. Support: When you work with a translation agency, you have the support of a team of professionals who can assist you with any questions or issues that may arise. Cons of using a translation agency: Cost: Translation agencies tend to charge higher rates than freelance translators, so using an agency can be more expensive. Less personalized service: When you work with a translation agency, you may not have the opportunity to develop a one-on-one relationship with your translator. Less flexibility: Translation agencies may have less flexibility when it comes to making changes or adjusting deadlines compared to freelance translators. Ultimately, whether you choose to hire a freelance translator or use a translation agency will depend on your specific needs and budget. Consider carefully weighing the pros and cons of each option in order to make the best decision for your project.

Machine translation has come a long way in recent years, but it's still not a substitute for professional human translation. One business owner found this out the hard way when they were sued for using machine translation in their business. John was the owner of a small e-commerce company that sold products internationally. In an effort to save time and money, he decided to use machine translation to translate the product descriptions on his website into multiple languages. However, John soon discovered that using machine translation came with serious consequences. Some of the translated product descriptions contained errors and mistranslations that led to customer complaints and returns. Worst of all, one of John's international customers filed a lawsuit against him, claiming that the inaccurate translations had caused them to purchase the wrong product. The customer won the lawsuit, and John was forced to pay a large settlement and legal fees. John learned the hard way that employing machine translation for commercial purposes is dangerous and can result in expensive errors. What he could have done is have a person proofread the text that had been machine translated. Post-editing is a service where any mistakes or mistranslations would have been found and corrected by the editor, preventing such issues from ever occurring. While I don't intend to dissuade anyone from utilizing machine translation, I do want to warn you to exercise caution, especially when using it for your business. We would be pleased to help you with your translation needs if you're still looking for a dependable translation company. Contact us! もし、翻訳サービスをお探しでしたら、ぜひアシーマの翻訳サービスをご検討ください。

Good translation is the faithful and accurate representation of the meaning of a source text in another language. It should convey the intended message of the original text as clearly and naturally as possible in the target language. There are several key characteristics that define good translation: Accuracy: A good translation must accurately convey the meaning of the source text. It should not add, omit, or distort any information. Fluency: A good translation should read smoothly and naturally in the target language. It should be free of awkward phrasing or grammar errors. Cultural appropriateness: A good translation should take into account the cultural context of the target audience. It should not contain references or expressions that are unfamiliar or inappropriate in the target culture. Cohesion: A good translation should be coherent and easy to follow. It should maintain the same level of cohesiveness and logic as the original text. Terminology: A good translation should use terminology consistently and accurately. It should use terms that are accepted and understood in the target language, and should not introduce new or incorrect terms. In order to produce good translations, translators should have a thorough understanding of both the source language and the target language, as well as a deep knowledge of the subject matter being translated. They should also have strong writing skills and the ability to adapt to different styles and registers. Overall, good translation is a crucial part of communication between people who speak different languages. It helps to bridge cultural and linguistic barriers and ensures that information is accurately conveyed from one language to another. If you are interested in becoming a translator, here are some tips on how to improve your skills and become a good translator: Get a solid education: A strong educational foundation in both the source language and the target language is crucial for translators. Consider earning a degree in translation or a related field. Develop your language skills: In order to become a good translator, you need to have a high level of proficiency in both the source language and the target language. This includes a strong command of grammar, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions. Specialize in a specific field: Translators often specialize in a specific field, such as law, medicine, or technical translation. Consider focusing on a particular area of expertise in order to build a strong foundation of knowledge and become a more proficient translator. Get certified: Many professional organizations offer certification programs for translators. Consider getting certified in order to demonstrate your skills and increase your credibility in the field. Keep learning: The world of translation is constantly evolving, and it's important to stay up-to-date on new technologies and developments in the field. Consider taking continuing education courses or attending industry conferences in order to stay current. Practice, practice, practice: As with any skill, the more you practice translation, the better you will become. Consider volunteering to translate documents for non-profit organizations or taking on translation projects for small businesses in order to gain experience. By following these tips, you can improve your translation skills and become a good translator. With hard work and dedication, you can build a rewarding career as a translator and make a positive impact in the world by bridging linguistic and cultural barriers.

When it comes to translation, many people believe that hiring a native speaker of the source language is the best option. However, there are several reasons why you should consider hiring a native speaker of the target language instead. Cultural fluency: A native speaker of the target language will have a deep understanding of the culture and customs of the target audience. This can be particularly important when translating marketing materials or content that needs to be culturally relevant. Natural language use: Native speakers of the target language will use language in a natural way, which can be critical for ensuring that the translated content reads smoothly and sounds authentic. Understanding idioms and colloquialisms: Native speakers will be familiar with idioms and colloquialisms in the target language and will be able to accurately translate them, which can be difficult for non-native speakers. Attention to detail: Native speakers are more likely to catch errors and nuances in the original text and will be able to accurately convey the intended meaning in the translated version. Cost-effective: Hiring a native speaker of the target language may be more cost-effective in the long run, as you may need to do fewer revisions to ensure that the translated content is accurate and reads smoothly. Overall, hiring a native speaker of the target language can be a valuable investment that can help ensure that your translated content is of high quality and effectively reaches your target audience. We would be pleased to help you with your translation needs if you're still looking for a dependable translation company. Contact us! もし、翻訳サービスをお探しでしたら、ぜひアシーマの翻訳サービスをご検討ください。

Choosing the right translation agency is important for your business because it can impact the quality and effectiveness of your translated content. A good translation agency will have professional translators who are fluent in both the source and target languages, and who have experience translating content for your specific industry. They will also use quality assurance processes to ensure that the translated content is accurate and reads smoothly. In addition, a reputable translation agency will be able to provide fast turnaround times and flexible services to meet your specific needs. They will also be able to handle large volume projects and handle any technical challenges that may arise. Overall, working with a professional translation agency can help you produce high-quality translations that accurately represent your brand and effectively reach your target audience. This can be especially important for businesses that rely on translated content for marketing or for communicating with customers or partners in other countries. Here are some steps you can follow to find a translation agency that is a good fit for your business: Determine your translation needs: Consider what types of content you need to translate, the languages you need, and your budget. Research agencies: Look for agencies that specialize in your industry and have experience translating the languages you need. Check out their websites and read reviews from past clients. Request quotes: Contact several agencies and request quotes for your translation project. Make sure to provide them with detailed information about your needs and any specific requirements you have. Evaluate the quotes: Compare the quotes you receive and consider factors such as cost, turnaround time, and the agency's reputation. Request a translation sample: Ask the agencies to provide a translation sample to evaluate the quality of their work. Choose an agency: After reviewing the quotes, translation samples, and other factors, choose the agency that you feel is the best fit for your business. By following these steps, you can find a translation agency that can provide high-quality translations that meet your specific needs and budget. We would be pleased to help you with your translation needs if you're still looking for a dependable translation company. Contact us! 翻訳・通訳サービスをお探しなら、ぜひアシーマをご利用ください。

Here are 9 things that you should consider when preparing to translate your website into different languages: Determine which languages to translate into: Consider which languages your target audience speaks and which markets you want to reach. Hire professional translators: It's important to use professional translators who are fluent in both the source and target languages and have experience translating websites. Gather all relevant content: Make sure you have all the content that needs to be translated, including text, images, and videos. Use clear and concise language: Keep in mind that translated text may take up more space than the original, so use clear and concise language to ensure that the translated version is easy to read and understand. Consider cultural differences: Be aware of cultural differences and consider how they may affect the way your content is received in different countries. Optimize for search engines: Make sure to optimize the translated content for search engines in the target language to improve your website's visibility. Test the translated website: Test the translated website to ensure that all content is properly displayed and that there are no issues with the navigation or functionality. Provide support in the target language: Consider providing customer support in the target language to better serve your international customers. Review and update regularly: Regularly review and update the translated content to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date. By preparing for these 9 factors, you can ensure that your website is successfully translated and effectively reaches your global audience. We would be pleased to help you with your translation needs if you're still looking for a dependable translation company. Contact us! 翻訳・通訳サービスをお探しなら、ぜひアシーマをご利用ください。

Any business owner who is looking to expand their customer base and reach a global audience should consider translating their website into different languages. This is true especially for businesses that operate in industries with a high demand for multilingual content, such as: Tourism and hospitality: If you run a hotel, tour company, or restaurant, a multilingual website can help you attract international travelers to your business. E-commerce: If you sell products or services online, a translated website can help you reach customers in different countries and potentially increase sales. Manufacturing and exporting: If you manufacture products and/or export goods to clients in other countries, a translated website can help you communicate with potential clients and partners around the world which is likely to grow your business. Professional services: If you offer professional services such as legal, financial, or consulting services, having your website translated into different languages can help you reach a global clientele. Overall, any business owner who is looking to expand their reach and attract international customers should consider translating their website into different languages. There are several benefits to translating your website into different languages: Expanding your customer base: By making your website available in multiple languages, you can reach a wider audience and potentially attract more customers. Improving the user experience: If your website is only available in one language, users who don't speak that language may have difficulty navigating and understanding your content. By providing translations, you can improve the user experience for these visitors. Increasing credibility: A professionally translated website can give the impression that your business is trustworthy and well-established. Boosting search engine optimization: If your website is translated into multiple languages, it may rank higher in search results for those languages, leading to more organic traffic. Enhancing global reach: A multilingual website can help you tap into new markets and reach customers in other countries. Translating your website into different languages can be a valuable investment that can help your business expand and reach a global audience. If you're looking for a dependable translation company based in Tokyo, Japan, we'd be happy to help you with your translation needs! Contact us! 翻訳・通訳サービスをお探しでしたら、ぜひアシーマをご利用ください。

What is Singapore like? Selamat tengahari! (“Hello” in Malay) Singapore is a small country situated in the south of Malaysia. It is a bit bigger than 23 Tokyo districts, and there are around 5 600 000 people living there. It is a multi-ethic country with Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian people all living together. There is no united ethnicity or religion – people co-exist respecting each other. English is often used in public places such as various companies while you can hear Malay, Chinese, and Tamil languages at schools and home. Religions include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and more. Singaporean staple food is considered to be rice and noodles. People often eat Thai rice known for its long and thin rice grains’ form. You can also see it boiled in coconut milk or chicken soup. When it comes to noodles, there is a countless number of types. All of them have different names depending on the ingredients used and noodles’ thickness. For example, think noodles made using rice are called Quatiao and served together with flavourful dishes. It is used particularly often in a dish called Char Kuitio which is similar to Japanese Yakisoba. Think noodles made using wheat base with eggs are called Mequia. This dish is similar to Japanese ramen, it is even popular among locals to eat it in a form of Wonton noodles. Eating out most of the time! Singaporean food stall culture People in Singapore often spend their meal time at food stalls or food courts, and around 60% of their food bills come from eating outside. Singaporean government manages hygiene of the street stalls (“Hawkers”) and assigns them different ranks based on their cleanliness. They give out cards from “A” to “C”, where “A” means “the cleanest” one. You can also order food just by pointing at a picture on the menu, so you do not need to worry about the language barrier. As it was mentioned before, Singapore is a multi-ethnical country, so these kinds of food stalls where you can eat your favorite food are essential for the local people. The only disadvantage of eating at a food stall is not getting enough vegetables. That’s why, in order to eliminate vegetable deficiency, you have to either go to a vegetarian restaurant or get a salad at a shop where a “salad bar” is included in the main menu. People order breakfast at Hawkers and bring it to school or work. A classic breakfast dish in Singapore is Kaya Toast. It is simply made as all you have to do is put Kaya jam on a toast. Then, you eat it with Kopi (a type of coffee) and Onsen Tamago (a low temperature egg slow cooked in hot water). Kaya jam is made of coconut milk and eggs. It taste different in every shop depending on how much sugar you add and whether you use a herb called Pandan Leaf. Another popular breakfast dish except for Kaya Toast is Nasi Lema. For this one, you put spicy sambal sauce or other side dishes on the side and eat them mixing with rice cooked in coconut milk. There are a lot of couple in Singapore where both people have a full-time job, so this is thought to be the reason why food stall culture has developed so much. Moreover, the country has high temperature and humidity levels being right below the equator. This leaves very little land suitable for cultivation, so various food ingredients have to be imported. One radish or broccoli sometimes costs over 6-7$, so even if you want to cook at home, it is actually quite expensive. A lot of kitchens do not have air-conditioning/ventilation, so you have to be careful when cooking during hot days and storing food. In this case, eating at a food stall outside would only cost 3-4$, so this option seems more rational, doesn’t it? Try all of the famous dishes of Singapore! The most representative Singaporean dish is Chicken and Rice. However, it does not have the orange color you often see in Japan. Chicken and Rice in Singapore is boiled chicken served together with rice cooked in chicken broth. It is called Hainanese Chicken Rise, and as the name suggests, it is a dosh originally from Hainan island in China. It looks completely white, but its feature lies in adding chili sauce, sweet say sauce, or ginger sauce and enjoying the mixed taste. Now, it is normal to have dishes that use whole fish or other seafood. One of the most famous dishes of Singapore is called Chilli Crab which is served by putting a whole crab on the plate. The spicy chilli sauce mixed with the tender crab meat, and the taste might be different depending on which type of crab is used. Maybe it is easier to imagine it if you think of scrimps used in Shrimp Chilli dish that were replaced with a crab. The best way to enjoy it is to crack open the shell and bite into it. You can also enjoy this delicious crab sauce by trying a meat bun called Manto. There are so many people of Indian origin living in Singapore that there is even an area called Little India. A lot of Indian restaurants and shops are gathered there, and it indeed does look like small India inside Singapore. When we think about India, the first thing that comes to our minds is curry, of course! Fish Head Curry you can try in Singapore has a quite shocking appearance. Just as the name implies, it uses a whole fish head. The curry itself has a sweet-sour spice called Tamarind used in it. It is served with rice more often than with Naan. Fish cheeks, eyeballs, and meat on the bones is removed and served over rice as a side dish for the curry. If you eat it that way, you will not be able to stop! Both Chilli Crab and Fish Head Curry are quire filling served in big portions, so you can enjoy it even more by sharing with others. Now, since you have finally managed to travel abroad, you surely want to try local alcohol too, right? The most representative Singaporean alcohol is said to be Singapore Sling. In the old times, women could not freely drink alcohol. There was a bartender who wanted women to enjoy alcohol as well, so he/she introduced this drink. That person used Singaporean sunset as an inspiration for the drink, added lemon and cherries to make a sweet and mild taste. It is so popular that you can find anywhere in Singapore, but the origin of it is the Raffles Hotel Bar. If you visit there, you can drink Singapore Sling made using the first original recipe. Sashimi salad and oranges for Chinese New Year’s celebration? The streets in Singapore bustle with people the most during The Chinese New Year, which is usually celebrated either at the end of January or on February. Yisheng is an essential dish during that period. It is a salad made using radish and carrots with salmon or white fish sashimi served on top. Various nuts, oil, lime can be used as toppings for this dish. It is similar to Japanese Osechi Ryori as every ingredient used has its own special meaning. It is generally considered to be a salad that uses ingredients that bring good luck. - Oil – for money and happiness to come around - Plum sauce – to not have money issues - Sashimi – to be wealthy - Sesame – for one’s business to flourish Before eating Yisheng, everyone stands up and says “Lohay, Lohay” while raising the ingredients up high with their chopstick, then they drop and mix them. These words originally mean “to lift/raise (something) up”. By saying that, people “wish for the current happiness and wealth to get even stronger”. It is said that it is good to wish for something related to money during this time. Then, people raise the ingredients up even higher because it believed to be better to mix them vigorously. This is often the reason why there are salad and sashimi leftovers all over the table after eating Yisheng. If you get invited to someone’s house for the Chinese New Year, you have to bring two mandarin oranges with you. Then, you exchange them for a red package called An Pao with the householder. An Pao is something similar to New Year’s gift. Married people give them to those who are single, companies give them to their employees. Most people put either 2 or 10 Singaporean dollars inside (equivalent to 1.5 and 7.5 dollars respectively). This is because of the color of those banknotes. Singaporean banknotes are very colorful, a banknote for 2 Singaporean dollars is violet, the 5 dollar one is green, the 10 dollar one is red, and the 50 dollar one is blue. Red is considered to be a lucky color, so people put either red or violet banknotes to put inside An Pao. No on ever puts green or blue banknotes inside. Traditional food with funny looks! Nyonya cuisine Singapore has a lot of immigrants, so there are some dishes that appeared as a result of interactions between different ethnicities. Nyonya cuisine (also called Planakan cuisine) is representative in this case. People who made it were a man (baba) of a Chinese origin who migrated to Singapore in the 15th century and a local woman (nyonya). They got married and gave birth to this cuisine. They used Chinese food ingredients and ethnic seasoning, making a sort of hybrid food. One of the most representative dishes of this cuisine is Ayam Bua Krua. It is a stewed chicken, but with a tad of surprise. Bua Krua means “black nuts”. These nuts are poisonous, so you have to get rid of the poison inside them first. The method for this is to bury them under ashes, banana leaves, and soiled piled on top for 40 days. Then, you take out the inside from the shell of a Bua Krua that is not poisonous anymore, grind it together with other spices, put it back into the shell and stew it with chicken meat. Spending so much time to cook Nyonya dishes is one of its features. Other dishes of Nyonya cuisine include Kue Paiti and Popiah. Kue Paiti is served in a small cup. The ingredients put in the cup are radish, small shrimps, Pak Choy, etc. The cup looks like a Silk Hat turned upside down, and it is made of fried rice and flour. This means you can eat everything, including the cup! Popiah is fresh spring rolls cooked in Nyonya manner. Additionally, Raxa is another type of Nyonya food that is essentially noodles in coconut milk soup and with spicy chili sauce. You can easily find it in Hawkers and other similar food stalls.

(Continued from last time) Golden rice for celebrations! For various celebrations, such as Independence Day, birthdays, or wedding ceremonies, Indonesian people eat Nasi Tumpeng. They arrange Nasi Kuning (rice of golden color cooked with turmeric and coconut milk) in a cone form and put a lot of side dishes around it. This cone arrangement represents a volcano and expresses gratitude to the God. Yet, there are no rules to it. If you search the images for Nasi Tumpeng on the Internet, you will find it arranged as a heart, Hello Kity, a wedding cake, and more. Golden color is a symbol of good luck in Indonesia, so this dish is believed to bring good fortune. It is similar to Japanese red rice. On the other hand, there are certain arrangements for the side dishes. You need to include at least one type of meat, fish, eggs, or vegetable food. This food carries a prayer for a good harvest, many children and long life, so it's similar to Japanese New Year’s food. Sweet food for tired times! Indonesian sweets There is a type of sweet food called Quairpe sold at Jakarta food stalls. It is a type of crispy crepes made of rice flour, sugar, coconut milk, eggs, and baking soda. It looks like a UFO because of its disk shape. The middle pops out a bit, and this glutinous texture as opposed to a crispy feeling on the sides is this dish’s highlight. Coloured with panda leaves it looks quite green, similar to matcha. Quite simple with a hint of sweetness. Murtabak is another popular one! There are two types of Murtabak – a sweet one and a salty one. The salty one is called Murtabak Terrel or Murtabak Asin. It is fried to a crisp using flour dough with minced meat, eggs, and vegetables. It gives off the same feeling as when eating a pie or gyoza. The sweet one is called Murtabak Manis and is similar to pancakes. It is often fried with chocolate, cheese, or nuts. If you compare it to Japanese food, then the closest dish would be Imagawa-yaki. What do Indonesians eat when fasting? Because there are a lot of Muslims among Indonesians, there is a tradition called Ramadan (a fasting month). During Ramadan, it is prohibited to eat or drink from the time when the sky starts turning white up until the sunset. Ramadan is religiously mandatory and is considered to be a form of training. During this period, Muslim people wake up and prepare food before the dawn, then they go to sleep again. After waking up in the morning, people just normally go to school or work. Most companies and schools work on a shortened schedule during Ramadan as well. When the sun sets, that day’s Ramadan comes to an end. People quench their thirst first as it is damaging for an empty stomach to suddenly take in food. Apart from water, sweet drinks are also popular. Foods that include sweet coconut milk together with cassava and banana are called Colac and are also served a lot. Then, they eat a dish called Iftar with their family, relatives, or friends. This is the first meal of the day, so there are quite a lot of people who overeat because of that. During Ramadan, the evening time is the only chance to be free to eat how much you want, so many people spend their time eating until dawn. There is actually a tendency for people to put on weight and spend more money on food during Ramadan period. When Ramadan finally ends 1 month later, there is a festival called Lebaran. Companies are encouraged to be put on paid leave, and some of them even take a 10-day long holiday. During Lebaran, there is also an event called Takarabin where everyone marches while saying “Allah Akbar (The God is the greatest)”. Indonesia is also famous for its Java, Bali, and Sumatra islands. This time, I introduced Indonesian food culture to you. What did you think? There were a lot of ingredients you are not very familiar with, such as coconut milk, banana leaves, and sago palm. However, you have also found out that rice is the staple food and is used in many celebrations and events. Weren’t there many common points with Japan? I hope this article helped you feel a little more familiar with Indonesia! Hashtags Ramadan, Indonesia, Islam, food culture, world, dining, Nasi Tumpeng, Nasi Kuning, Quairpe, panda leaves, Murtabak, Terreul, Asin, Manis, fasting month, Cassava, Colac, Lebaran, Takarabin, Allah, Akbar, the god is the greatest, Java, Bali, Sumatra, sago palm, banana leaves

Hello everyone! I think a lot of you had to cancel your holiday trips abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is why I would like to introduce you this blog about different food cultures around the world! I hope you will be able to take a glimpse at the foreign atmosphere while staying at home. This article’s topic is Indonesia. What is Indonesia like as a country? Indonesia is comprised of thousands of islands in the Indian Ocean. Its area is 1 919 440 square kilometres which is around 5 times larger than Japan. Its population is at the 4th place in the world after America – around 260 million people live in Indonesia! You can find various kinds of beef, goat, chicken, and seafood on the Indonesian dining table. Indonesian population is 85% Muslim, so most people do not eat pork. There is no alcohol culture for the same reason. The staple food is Indica rice. Staple foods like cassava and sago palm are popular in those regions that are not suitable for rice cultivation. Cassava is a type of potatoes that are also tapioca ingredients. Sago palm is a plant with starchy trunks, if you strain and bake it, you will be able to make something similar to bread. How to remember Indonesian cuisine? It is actually really simple! When people think of Indonesian food, the first thing that comes up in their minds is often Nasi goreng. Nasi goreng is similar to fried rice. “Nasi” means rice, while “Goreng” is “to fry”. As you can see, Indonesian food names are comprised of the ingredients used and their cooking method. Sapi – beef Kambing – goat Ikan – fish Rebus – to boil Campur – to mix Pepes – to wrap something in banana leaves, then steam and bake Gulai – boiled coconut milk If you know these basic words, you will be able to easily get an idea of what every dish is. For example, Mie (noodles) Goreng (to fry) is similar to fried noodles. Soto (soup) Ayam (chicken) stands for a spicy chicken soup. Beloved Indonesian seasonings! The seasonings that Indonesian food cannot exists without are Ketchup Manis and Sambal. Ketchup Manis is quite sweet and reminds of thickened soy sauce. If you compare it to Japanese food, it is similar to the sweet sauce for yakitori. This ketchup is made of fermented soybeans and wheat. It is an essential seasoning for Nasi goreng, Mie goreng and other similar dishes. Sambal is a spicy seasoning that goes together with Nasi goreng and similar food. It is a type of chili sauce. You can mix it to different dishes to your taste. It is not only spicy, but also has some sweetness and strong flavour to it. Proper breakfasts for your early mornings! Indonesian people take their breakfasts very seriously. When they meet someone in the morning, they even greet each other with “Suda Sarapan?” which stands for “Did you eat breakfast?” 72% of Indonesian people think that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You can see a lot of people who eat Buburu (porridge), Soto (soup), or turn the leftovers from the previous day to Nasi goreng. This habit is related to waking up early in the Islamic culture. It is mandatory to pray 5 times a day in Islam, and the first and the earliest prayer is at 4:40 in the morning. Muslims finish their morning prayers and then prepare breakfast, leaving their homes afterwards. Some companies start their operation at 7:00-8:00. Additionally, most Indonesian schools start classes at 6:00-7:00. However, they also get off work or school early. The end of the working day is from noon to 14:00. People do not prepare lunch boxes; students eat lunch at home. The most common lesson time for Indonesia is to have a 3-hour long class and then a 10-minute break. You obviously get hungry after not eating anything for such a long time, so students often bring bread or snacks from home. Some students also buy sweets and snacks from school cafeterias or shops nearby. (Continues) Hashtags World, foods, Indonesia, food culture, pandemic, spices, breakfast, Indonesian food, ketchup manis, sambal, nasi goreng, Islam, buburu, suda sarapan, mie goreng