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Khanom Tao in the Por Tor Festival
Khanom Tao in the Por Tor Festival
Every year, during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, Phuket bursts with life during the Por Tor Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival. Families honor ancestors and deities, and one item always takes center stage: Khanom Tao, the turtle-shaped pastry that symbolizes longevity, stability, and good fortune.
What is Khanom Tao?
Khanom Tao, or Ang Ku Kueh (紅龜粿) in Hokkien Chinese, is a traditional pastry with deep cultural roots. It was brought to Phuket by Chinese immigrants who settled on the island during the tin mining era.
This pastry is unique for its oval turtle-like shape with a bright red or pink shell. Inside, it is filled with sweet mung bean paste, while some variations include grated coconut mixed with beans for extra flavor. The outer layer is made from glutinous rice flour blended with taro or sweet potato, pressed into a carved wooden mold with a turtle pattern, then steamed and wrapped in fragrant banana leaves.
The red or pink color is essential, symbolizing happiness, prosperity, and vitality in Chinese tradition. Sizes vary from bite-sized pieces offered at home altars to large tray-sized versions used in community ceremonies. Beyond its delicious taste, Khanom Tao represents a heritage passed down through generations, with families in Phuket still preserving the original recipes for festivals, weddings, and religious rituals.
Auspicious Symbolism
Every element of Khanom Tao carries auspicious meaning:
- Turtle shape – Turtles are long-lived and resilient, symbolizing health, longevity, and family stability.
- Red and pink colors – These represent happiness, prosperity, and new beginnings, making the pastry perfect for ceremonies like weddings, ordinations, and ancestral offerings.
- Carved wooden mold – The imprinted patterns are not just decorative; they represent abundance, harmony, and good fortune.
- Offering and sharing – Families present Khanom Tao at temples and then distribute it among relatives and neighbors, spreading blessings throughout the community.
Thus, Khanom Tao is more than just a pastry—it is a symbol of joy, stability, and enduring cultural beliefs that continue through Phuket’s Por Tor Festival.
The Role of Khanom Tao in the Por Tor Festival
During the Por Tor Festival, Khanom Tao plays a central role in both family rituals and community gatherings:
- Ancestral and deity offerings
Families present turtle pastries along with fruits, incense, and other offerings to honor ancestors and seek blessings for harmony throughout the year. - Sharing among relatives and neighbors
After rituals, Khanom Tao is distributed within families and communities, symbolizing the sharing of good fortune. - Family bonding through making pastries
Some households still make Khanom Tao by hand, using traditional wooden molds. Kneading dough, pressing patterns, and steaming become activities that strengthen family ties and preserve memories. - Community devotion
At local shrines, turtle pastries of all sizes—from tiny bite-sized offerings to giant ceremonial turtles—reflect the community’s deep respect and devotion to tradition.
Khanom Tao, therefore, is not just a food item but a cultural centerpiece connecting beliefs, family values, and community spirit.
Khanom Tao and the Phuket Community
Beyond its ritual role, Khanom Tao also reflects Phuket’s unique blend of Chinese heritage and local traditions.
This cultural charm reminds travelers that Phuket is more than just stunning Andaman beaches—it is also home to living traditions. With Love Andaman, visitors can experience both worlds:
- Spend the morning cruising to Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands.
- In the evening, stroll through Phuket Old Town and taste Khanom Tao during the Por Tor Festival.
1. Local economic lifeline
Traditional pastry shops thrive during the festival, taking countless orders for turtle pastries. Some even teach the younger generation how to make them, ensuring both economic and cultural continuity.
2. A place of cherished memories
For many Phuket locals, making Khanom Tao with parents or grandparents is a childhood memory filled with warmth. Each step—from kneading to molding to steaming—carries family stories and traditions.
3. Cultural preservation
Even as modern life changes, Khanom Tao remains an important part of Phuket’s identity. Schools and community groups often hold workshops to teach children how to make it, transforming the pastry into a symbol of cultural pride.
Thus, Khanom Tao is more than a festival food; it is a living bond linking faith, economy, family, and cultural identity in Phuket.