"Moo Deng: The Bouncy Pork Meatball That Stole the World's Heart

Moo Deng is surely the most adorable and loved Thai baby pygmy hippo in the world right now. But what does “Moo Deng” actually mean?

Among thousands of articles and clips – few have got the everyday Thai-meaning right.

In Thai, Moo in Thai means pig, the animal; as well as pork, the food.

And Deng in Thai means bouncy – as with bouncy basketball.

Moo Deng is bouncy pork meatball.

Thais have many pork dishes like many other cultures. There are moo sub (minced pork), moo krob (crispy pork), moo daeng (red pork) and moo deng which is pork patty (it is minced and pressed like a burger).

Grand dishes include moo han (barbecued suckling pig) and moo kata (pork hotpot).

Thai people savour Moo Deng in a variety of cooking. One can crave for spicy lemongrass Tom Yam pork meatball soup; eat with noodle, with salad, as poached eggs, as wonton soup, with rice porridge, as dim sum; and as pork burger.

Our Moo Deng came to fame when a zoo near the resort city of Pattaya organized a poll to choose a name for the two-week-old hippo. As she was bouncy, meaty and curiously naughty– most voters went for the name “Moo Deng”.

When a Thai content creator translated the vote results into English, her charm conquered the world.

You can read or watch all about it:

Photo : ขาหมู แอนด์เดอะแก๊ง