Influence of Acculturation on Foodways among Ethnic Groups and Common Acceptable Food

Acculturation through education, social interaction and media remarkably catalyze the sharing of various ethnic foods through it preparation and consumption or foodways. The acceptance of it by each ethnic group will lead into the common acceptable food in a country. This study reports the comparative analysis on the extent to which acculturation through education; social interaction and media influence the foodways between three Malaysian major ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese and Indian). Result revealed that education, social interaction through event, media as part of acculturation attributes not only provides the understanding of food cultures, familiarize with the ingredients and recipes, the serving and eating of other ethnics’ food but influence the foodways or the preparation and consumption of each other ethnic food. In addition, adaptation on each other ethnic food through foodways (preparation and consumption) creates a strong belief on the formation of common acceptable food.