Bubur Anak Lebah, A Perak Heritage Dish

Are you a Perak native who knows about bubur anak lebah? If you've never heard of it, keep reading to learn more about this increasingly forgotten heritage dish from Perak.

Don't think that baby bees are cooked with porridge; that is completely wrong. The dish is only named after bees because the shape of the flour dough resembles baby bees, and no actual bees are used in the cooking. Bubur anak lebah is very popular in the Perak Tengah region, especially in Bota, and generally only the older generation knows the recipe for this dish. This is because the younger generation is reluctant to learn or make it, as the preparation is quite unique, requires skill, and is very tedious. Dishes made by the younger generation can never compare to the cooking of the elders; this has been undisputed since long ago. According to long-time residents in Bota, this bubur anak lebah is usually served at ceremonies after a mother finishes her confinement period. These include cradle ceremonies, hair-shaving ceremonies, aqiqah, and other related events.

Lately, it has also been served at wedding ceremonies in village areas. The flour is rolled into small pieces resembling baby bees, which is the main attraction because the shape looks like baby bees—similar to cendol but larger and shorter.

Forgotten heritage foods like bubur anak lebah should be brought back to the spotlight so they do not disappear with time. It would be a great loss if this delicious food is not passed down to the younger generation for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. If you have a recipe for bubur anak lebah, feel free to share it in the comments section for orangperak.com readers so it can serve as a reference and others can experience how delicious this Perak heritage dish truly is.