Dim-Sum Over Milk Tea: Taiwan’s 21st Century Gastrodiplomacy and Some Lessons for the Philippines

Abstract

Gastrodiplomacy is said to have emerged in Asia as an attempt by an Asian country to differentiate its unique flavor that is often mistaken to be that of a neighboring country. Even before the term gastrodiplomacy was coined, countries have practiced this approach to establish a national identity. Taiwan's Tourism Bureau officially started to emphasize food as a means of attraction in 2009. Although Taiwan's gastrodiplomacy is known as "dim-sum diplomacy," pearl milk tea is also listed under the "snack and beverages” category of Taiwan food for tourists.

Tea, on the other hand, is a pivotal part of Asian history, particularly in its economic aspect. For instance, Taiwan’s tropical weather combined with elevated terrains allows the state to produce tea. It was in the early 1980s when the beverage was reinvented - cold and mixed with sweetened tapioca pudding. Thus, the first milk tea was served in Taiwan.

The present generation of Filipinos, through a survey conducted, acknowledged milk tea as a product of Taiwan, as Taiwanese milk tea stores also multiplied in the Philippines. Unlike dim-sum, which the Filipinos attribute as Chinese, Filipinos recognize milk tea as a product of Taiwan.

With this, it is recommended that Taiwan highlights milk tea in its gastrodiplomacy campaign to contribute to the recognition and preservation of “Taiwan cuisine-consciousness.” The Philippines can also learn from this diplomatic strategy in hopes of joining its neighboring countries in the great practice of gastrodiplomacy.