Food Adaptation of Thai Migrants in Cairo, Egypt

การปรับตัวทางวัฒนธรรมอาหารของชาวไทยย้ายถิ่นในกรุงไคโร ประเทศอียิปต์

Abstract

The research artical on the “Food Adaptation of Thai Migrants in Cairo, Egypt” aims to 1) study the differences between Thai and Egyptian food cultures, 2) study the food acculturation of Thai migrants in Cairo, Egypt. This study employed a qualitative research methodology, selecting 15 key informants. Data was collected from documents, in-depth interviews, and participant and non-participant observations. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis and presented in a descriptive analysis.

          The research results found that Thai and Egyptian food cultures differ in many aspects, including staple foods, cooking methods, food flavors, eating methods, and eating habits. For the food acculturation of Thai migrants in Cairo, Egypt, there are 2 main ways: 1) Adapt oneself to the food: 1.1) Choose to eat Egyptian food that has a taste similar to Thai food. 1.2) Try to practice eating Egyptian food. 2) Adapt the food to oneself: 2.1) Modify Egyptian ingredients to make Thai food. 2.2) Personally import ingredients that are not available in Egypt from Thailand. 2.3) Buy products that Egypt imports from Thailand or other countries. 2.4) Learn how to cook food. 2.5) Use Thai dipping sauce to eat with Egyptian food. 2.6) Grow some Thai vegetables. 2.7) Choose to eat food from other countries. This research can use the information on food cultural adaptation to increase knowledge in the field of cultural adaptation studies and be useful for Thai migrants in Cairo, Egypt and those who are preparing to migrate to Egypt. It can help understand the differences between Thai and Egyptian food cultures and provide ways to adapt to food cultural adaptation in Egyptian society.