Famous Trang Shop Rushes to Make Rice Dumplings: Family's Unique Pig-Themed Desserts Sell Out

At Chai Rung Reuang Panit shop on Kantang Road in Trang, owner Thanaporn Ruengwittayawong, 49, and her staff are working non-stop to create traditional and innovative pig family-themed rice dumplings under the brand 'Mae Kim Hong'. Customers from across Thailand have been pre-ordering these unique desserts to give as gifts and use in ancestral worship during the 2024 Chinese New Year. The pig family rice dumplings originated from Thanaporn's childhood experience when her children didn't enjoy traditional dumplings. She creatively developed cartoon-shaped dumplings, eventually focusing on pig-themed designs - symbolic of abundance and happiness, particularly fitting for Trang, known as the 'roast pork city'. The innovative concept has been successful for six years, attracting customers from various regions who appreciate both the aesthetic and cultural significance of these special dumplings. The shop's secret is a meticulous steaming process: first steaming for 8 hours, then cooling, and steaming again for 4 hours to ensure a soft, glossy texture. This year, Thanaporn has prepared approximately 3,500 kilograms of flour for the Chinese New Year season, offering two styles of pig family dumplings - with and without a base platform.