Monday, April 6, 2009

Rebung



Rebung is the Indonesian name for bamboo shoot like the one in the above photo.

Being a member of the grass family, bamboo grows nearly everywhere. About 1,000 species of bamboo have now been identified. They grow from the Earth's coldest places like Shakalin (in the east of Russia) and the Himalayas up to the warm Sub-Sahara in Africa. However, only in east and southeast Asia does bamboo find its most significant cultural and economic values. For the people of east and southeast Asia, it is not only a versatile and strong building material, but also a beautiful decorative plant and a food source.

Rebung is a delicacy in Indonesia. As a kind of food, it is treated much like a vegetable. It is usually sliced thin and cooked with a variety of other ingredients to make delicious dishes. Gulai Rebung (bamboo shoot in curry-like coconut milk broth), lodeh (a kind of "soup" with coconut milk), and lun pia (lumpia) are some of the most well known recipes for bamboo shoot dishes here.

It needs to be noted, however, that bamboo shoots from certain types of bamboo like those of the giant bamboos are not edible because they are toxic.

You can look at photos of rebung dishes here.

5 comments:

henny said...

It is also served in Japan as daily menu, yet the taste never beats our rebung. Well, that's if you ask me. :). Just like salted fish? I miss fish from my hometown....
Have you covered FOs in Bandung? i know some fellow Malaysians who are crazy about anything Bandung...

Unknown said...

One of my favorite (rebung).Widely sold at local market in Kuching.I like gulai rebung when take with local rice & salted fish..

Catherine said...

As usual your post is very interesting and contain full informations, Eki. Never tasted such a food though looks tasty.

Urang Awak said...

Salaam Aa,

Bamboo is indeed a valuable thing for us and talking about Rebung, I am sorry, I never like though having been forced to eat it, it is just not my cup of tea.

Kumaha Damang Aa?

Anonymous said...

What an interesting photo and plant!Have a great day!