I remember the first time I met my Foochow mother-in-law and her brothers and sisters more than 10 years ago. Hubby (then boyfriend) warned me that they were LOUD but they were also fun people.
Judging by the briefing he gave me AND them, I think both sides wondered how our first meeting would go! After all, they were an utterly new dialect group to me and I was probably the first half-Chinese girl they were getting to know personally…
My mother-in-law was a big and tall woman with a friendly smile. She was also incredibly hospitable I felt very welcomed. When we were introduced, she whispered something loudly to father-in-law and then spoke to me loudly (as if I was deaf).
Embarrassed, Hubby commented that I could speak Hokkien and totally heard what she’d just said LOL
If MIL was a sampler of the Foochow, then dinner with her brothers and sisters put me smack into the Foochow community…
First, I wasn’t sure if it’s just their family but most of the Foochows I’ve met were tall and big! Hehehe, I was of course tsk-tsk-tsked as being too “thin”.
Second, Foochows LOVE food and their foods tend to be on the chunky side i.e. HUGE fishballs, thumb-sized meat in noodles or stir-fried veggies (vs slivers of meat in Hokkien/Cantonese dishes). My first Foochow words were “jing hor liak” (very delicious).
Third, the Foochow language is extremely vulgar where swear words are used as punctuation marks 
Also, Foochows greet each other with a curse before moving on to the real conversation.
Fourth, the Foochows are a tightly-knit community. They really go all out to support their fellow Foochows. The minute someone says he or she admits that they are “hoh chew neng“, there is an instant connection! It’s no secret that they control much of the economy in Sibu and Kuching led by the godfather, Ting Pek Khing…
For once in my life, I was quiet during dinner because so much conversation and joking took place left and right. I was quite amused by the way they interacted with each other in the Foochow language.
Luckily, one of the aunties-in-law is a Hokkien-speaking lady from Penang and she was really nice to me. She’d picked up the Foochow language and had no qualms giving them back for every jab they made at “West Malaysians” LOL
For the rest of my stay, I was introduced to a few Foochow delicacies including:
- mee sua in chicken soup (served during birthdays and CNY, spiced up with a dash of XO if you like),
- kampua mee (Foochow version of kolo mee i.e. Sarawakian version of the wantan mee),
- ter meng ngu (Foochow version of koay teow thng)
- Foochow fishballs (pork-stuffed fishballs) and
- my favourite, the gong piang (toasted unleavened bun - plain or stuffed…yes, with pork again).
Since getting to know them, I find that they ARE loud but they are also big-hearted, family-oriented, generous and fun-loving people.
In fact, our wedding is the all the more memorable because almost everyone in the family chipped in to make it a success. Since we had to organize dinners both in Sarawak and Penang, their help was most invaluable!
Looking back at the wedding photos and video, I feel truly blessed for marrying into this incredibly interesting Chinese community.
Recently, 1/2 a Foochow, 1/2 a Hokkien and 1/4 of a Foochow had the pleasure of taking 3 1/2 Foochows on a tour around the area. Watch out for posts of the interesting sights and slurps we had 
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Hey, I am 1/2 foochew, and I am totally agree that they are LOUD but friendly
I love foochew food, i am going to drool over all your food posts then!
Yeah, yeah, what you said really true. I’m a 50% foochow and married to a 100% foochow. Luckily my dad and hubby don’t talk that loud and scold vulgar words.
Nothing can beat foochow food but sitiawan and sibu having slightly different version.
Beckysmum, Julie - Wah, wah…all the Foochows coming out
Nice to know you ladies! I love getting to know the Foochow side of my family…always got something to laugh about one…
I am 100% foochow. Haha, no other women work as hard as foochow women. Most foochows no complain of hardworks although under the hot sun.
Rough and tough always speak out loud. Not only foochows. I am really respect their attitudes. Most of the villagers are thrifty and many are millionaires. The land there worth RM150k/acre in remote area, RM600k/acre in town area. Many people that i know, are in great wealth of properties.
They live in simple manner. At times, they work hard. At times, they enjoy to the fullness.
In 70s, they are the king of gangsters. No doubt, they produced communist head, Chin Peng.
Now, it a booming town and peaceful. Although away from home more than 20 over years, no where is better than home town.
The way you describe the Foochows is really funny… especially about how your MIL whispered laudly to FIL
Btw, I’ve sent you an email
Daniel - You know the Foochow women very well, eh? I agree with you about hardworking and thrifty because I am *extremely impressed* with my MIL’s industry and economy. And like you said, with thriftiness comes with incredible generosity. I’m learning something new from her every time…
BoeyJoey - Err…my MIL may not find that part funny if she knew about it
So I hope none of the Foochows leak it out!
I am Foochow and proud to be one.
Hi Mary! Nice to meet you
Oops, reminds me of my very belated post on Foochow foods…