Cultural Foodways: Hmong Tradition - Aug. 21
August 21, 6 p.m.
Hickory Soup Kitchen
110 2nd St. Pl. SE, Hickory, NC
Please note that this event will take place at Hickory Soup Kitchen and will NOT be held at the Hart Square site
Join us for a rich cultural foodways experience rooted in Hmong tradition. Hmong cuisine is deeply tied to heritage, storytelling, and community, blending fresh ingredients with techniques passed down through generations. In this class, Hmong Chef Elizabeth Thao will share her expertise as she demonstrates the preparation of several traditional dishes, explaining their significance and the special techniques that bring them to life.
Participants will watch as she prepares each course, learning about the flavors, symbolism, and history behind Hmong food. The meal will be served during the class, offering a taste of Hmong hospitality, and students will take home all the ingredients and recipe cards needed to recreate these dishes in their own kitchens.
Come discover the heart of Hmong food culture where meals are more than sustenance, they are a way of preserving tradition and bringing people together.
In collaboration with Hickory Soup Kitchen and the Hmong Chef, Elizabeth Thao
Menu
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Why the Traditional Steamed Rice?
It’s customary for Hmong families to have rice at every meal, served alongside various side dishes. In the past, we grew and harvested our own rice. It was a symbol of nourishment and hard work. Steamed rice is a staple, providing comfort and completing every meal.
Why the Smoked Pork and Bamboo Shoots
Historically, Hmong families had limited access to fresh meat and lacked refrigeration. To preserve pork, it was often smoked and hung above the fireplace to prevent spoilage and keep pests away. Smoked pork could last a long time and was a valuable food source. I’ll be preparing this dish with bamboo shoots, which are abundant during bamboo season. Bamboo is incredibly versatile and can be used in soups, stir-fries, or even grilled and enjoyed with a simple dip of salt or peppers — always paired with a side of rice.
No Hmong meal is complete without a side of pepper sauce with cilantro, salt, and a touch of MSG. It adds a bold kick that enhances the flavors of the smoked pork and bamboo stir fry.
Why the Cold Chicken and Chicken Herb Soup
Cold Chicken is often enjoyed as a refreshing dish during lunchtime, particularly after working in the rice fields. It’s simple yet satisfying, offering a sense of comfort after a long day.
Side story: Often, cold chicken is packed for relatives who have traveled far to visit. It’s a heartfelt way to express love and care. I’ve heard many stories of how poor couples would sacrifice their last chicken as a gesture of gratitude and respect, sending their sister-in-law and brother home with a meaningful meal after their visit.
As for the Chicken Herb Soup, it’s traditionally served with chopped chicken, but for the purpose of this demonstration, we’ll present the chicken separately. This soup holds special significance for postpartum mothers. The medicinal herbs used in the broth aid in blood replenishment, cleansing the body, and supporting recovery. It also helps stimulate breast milk production, nourishing both mother and baby.
Why theTraditional Rice Cake - “Ncuav”
You may be familiar with its modern-day adaptation, often referred to as mochi. In Hmong culture, we call it “Ncuav” (pronounced cua). This sticky rice cake is typically prepared during the end of harvest season and holds ceremonial importance. It is also served as an offering when sending off the spirits of the deceased, symbolizing a meal for their journey to reunite with their ancestors.
About Elizabeth Thao
Elizabeth is very active in her Hmong-American community and has thus learned to embrace her cultural background and values. She is a board member of Arts Culture Catawba and a team lead for the annual Hmong Heritage Run 5k, which raises funds for cultural preservation in the local Hmong community of Catawba County. She has also been intimately involved with the North Carolina Hmong Women Association. Elizabeth and her husband owned a Hmong restaurant in Hickory, North Carolina, where they shared cultural foodways and traditions from their shared heritage with everyone. She sees food as a form of art and even studied art at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned her design and visual communications degree. She loves working with elders in her community who practice traditional agriculture and grow indigenous vegetables, rice, and herbs from Laos and Vietnam.
About Hickory Soup Kitchen
As the only soup kitchen in Hickory, NC, Hickory Soup Kitchen serves food daily and provides safe shower facilities, take-home groceries, and much more.
In 2023, they averaged more than 150 people coming through the doors each day, totaling over 80,000 plates last year. The facility provides private shower stalls similar to those at your local gym. About 15 people use the facilities each day between 8 am and 10 am Monday through Friday. We also provide towels, soap, and other hygiene products for men and women.
For families who need a little extra help, they offer free groceries once each month. Contents may vary by season and what has been donated, but they try to include fresh produce, fruit, and meats along with easy-to-store items like bread, staples and canned goods. The pantry is open 8:30 am until 11:30 am Monday through Friday.
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