Steamed Egg Slip-Up: China's Culinary Heritage Hijacked on Social Media
In a bizarre incident that has left many in China feeling frustrated and disrespected, a traditional Chinese dish known as "水蒸蛋" or steamed egg, has been widely mislabeled as "Japanese Steamed Egg" on international social media platforms. The controversy began to gain traction in early 2024, after a German TikTok creator named Aliain posted a video showcasing the dish, which quickly went viral and garnered tens of millions of views. However, Aliain's decision to refer to the dish as "Japanese Steamed Egg" sparked outrage among Chinese netizens, who saw it as a blatant case of cultural appropriation.
20 July 2025
The dish in question, known as "水蒸蛋" in Chinese, has a long history in China and is a staple in many Chinese households. It is a simple yet delicious dish made by steaming eggs with various seasonings. However, despite its clear Chinese origins, the dish has been widely mislabeled as Japanese on social media platforms such as TikTok and Weibo. This mislabeling has been perpetuated by many European influencers and content creators, who have copied Chinese food bloggers' recipes while falsely attributing them to Japan.
The incident has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Chinese netizens expressing their frustration and disappointment at the misappropriation of their cultural heritage. Some have even accused European influencers of deliberately mislabeling the dish to gain traffic and profit. The controversy has also highlighted the challenges of protecting cultural heritage in the digital age, where misinformation and misappropriation can spread quickly and easily.
The mislabeling of "水蒸蛋" as Japanese Steamed Egg has also had significant implications for the Chinese culinary industry. By stripping the dish of its Chinese origins, it has potentially diluted the brand value of traditional Chinese cuisine and hindered efforts to promote authentic Chinese food globally. Furthermore, if consumers begin to associate the dish with Japan, it could indirectly benefit Japanese food businesses at the expense of Chinese restaurants and food product manufacturers.
The incident also raises important questions about intellectual property and cultural protection in the digital age. How can countries and cultural institutions safeguard their culinary heritage from being rebranded or reappropriated? The rapid spread of mislabeled content on social media highlights the need for more effective measures to protect cultural property and prevent the erosion of cultural identity.
The controversy surrounding "水蒸蛋" also has broader societal implications. The mislabeling of the dish has contributed to cultural misinformation and erosion, which can lead to a distorted understanding of global culinary history and cultural exchange. It also highlights the phenomenon of online echo chambers and confirmation bias, where prevalent narratives, even if inaccurate, gain traction and become difficult to dislodge.
In addition to its cultural and economic implications, the incident also has subtle but present political undertones. The misattribution of a common dish can touch upon national pride and contribute to broader sentiments about how a country's culture is perceived and respected on the global stage. While unlikely to cause major diplomatic incidents, persistent and widespread misrepresentation of cultural elements can contribute to underlying tensions or misunderstandings between nations.
In conclusion, the "水蒸蛋" renaming incident is a poignant example of the challenges faced by cultural heritage in the digital age. The controversy highlights the need for greater cultural sensitivity and awareness, particularly on social media platforms where misinformation can spread quickly and easily. It also underscores the importance of protecting cultural property and preventing the erosion of cultural identity in the face of globalization and cultural exchange.
