CULINARY HERITAGE AND YOUTH: MALAY TRADITIONAL FOOD LOSING RELEVANCE AMONG GEN Z?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/JTHEM.1143036Keywords:
Knowledge Transfers, Malay, Practices, Youth, Traditional FoodAbstract
In an era increasingly shaped by globalization and digital connectivity, traditional food cultures are experiencing significant challenges in maintaining their cultural relevance, particularly among young generations. This generation, born between 1997 and 2012, has grown up in a rapidly evolving food landscape where exposure to global cuisines, fast food, fusion dishes and app-based food delivery services is ubiquitous. Their eating habits are shaped by convenience, novelty and digital influence, leading to potential disengagement from traditional culinary practices and heritage foodways. While numerous studies have examined topics such as traditional food preservation, cultural sustainability and the sociocultural impact of globalization on food, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding a systematic review of challenges in sustaining traditional food for youth. Using the PRISMA protocol, this systematic literature review identifies seven prominent themes critical to sustaining Malay traditional food among Generation Z by rigorously screening and synthesizing relevant academic research. The identified sub-themes highlight critical internal and external factors that provide a framework for addressing future research gaps in the sustainability of traditional culinary heritage.
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