Alivongvong

Alivongvong

Alternative names	Alifengfeng
Region or state	Taiwan
Associated cuisine	Taiwan
Main ingredients	sticky rice, meat

Alivongvong, (Chinese: 阿里鳳鳳; pinyin: ālǐfèngfèng) is a traditional delicacy of the Amis people, one of Taiwanese indigenous peoples. This dish features a sticky rice dumpling filled with meat, carefully enclosed in a hand-crafted leaf basket. Typically, a combination of white and black sticky rice is used for the dumpling, and common fillings include pork, wild boar meat, fish, and mushrooms.^[1] Alivongvong can be found at night markets in Taiwan and eateries that offer aboriginal culinary specialties, providing a taste of traditional Amis cuisine to a wider audience.^[2]

Culinary method

The preparation of alivongvong involves using pandan leaves, chosen for their tenderness, which are stripped of thorns and edges. These leaves are then woven into small, free-standing baskets. The sticky rice, both white and black, is thoroughly washed and soaked overnight. The soaked rice is placed into the leaf baskets, filling them about two-thirds full.^[3] The baskets are then steamed for about an hour, during which the pandan leaves impart their fragrance and flavour to the rice dumpling.^[4]

Cultural Significance

Alivongvong is often called the Amis lunchbox because of its convenient transportability, making it ideal for meals on the go. In the past, it was a common practice for Amis women to prepare these meals for their husbands who went hunting, highlighting the role of this dish in traditional Amis culture.^[5]

See also

• Taiwanese cuisine

References

Dishes and mealsXiaochiSnacks and dessertsBeveragesIngredientsChefsMiscellaneous