Malaysian Cuisine

“I feel inexorably attached to Malaysia for many reasons, but one of them is that I got there early in my career as a traveler, wasn’t really ready for it, and was changed by the place. It seduced and overwhelmed me at the same time. The smells and colours and flavours—the look and sound of the place, the at times impenetrable mix of Indian, Malay and Chinese cultures.” ― Anthony Bourdain

Ultimate Guide: Ipoh Street Food

Nicholas Ng
Ipoh Food | Ipoh Street Food | Food For Thought

Ipoh is home to one of the most picturesque towns in Malaysia, encapsulated by its infamous limestone hills. Located in the state of Perak, Ipoh is famous for its colonial past, as well as its significance in the growth of Malaya. The home to some of the best local fare from the Ipoh Bean Sprout Chicken Rice to the Sar Hor Fun, Ipoh food is known to locals as some of the cleanest and freshest there is. Recently named 6th of Best in Asia by Lonely Planet, the melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European colonial cultures is apparent in the food that you hear about. From the arty revival of the Kong Heng block to the once famous Concubine Lane, we have a look at what they have to offer. Continue reading →

Dewakan

Nicholas Ng
Braised Aubergine | Dewakan | Food For Thought

When it comes to a fine dining, one would not expect that one of the better fine dining restaurants in Kuala Lumpur would be located at a culinary academy. Dewakan serves modern Malaysian cuisine, which emphasises the use of local produce, using local flavours. The idea here is simple, to use the best of what can be found, and to use it to its best. Continue reading →

Gotta Taste ‘Em All: Poke Bowls in Kuala Lumpur

Nicholas Ng
Paperfish | Tiffin Throwdown | Food For Thought

One of the latest cuisines that has achieved international attention is the very delicate and light poké. This raw fish dish is normally served on its own, but is more commonly seen in its modern interpretation form, the poké bowl. This very light and healthy dish has its origins within Hawaiian cuisine, with culinary influences from the significant Japanese and Asian diaspora of Hawaii. We speak to some of the arguably best poké bowl eateries to learn more about poké culture in Kuala Lumpur. Continue reading →

Skillet at 163, Christmas 2016

Nicholas Ng
Textures of Chocolate Christmas Edition | Christmas 2016 | Skillet At 163 | Food For Thought

When it comes to good food, there are few restaurants like Skillet At 163 in Frasers Place that has been able to produce an experience as such in Kuala Lumpur. Serving a fare which is a really contemporary fine dining in the vein of bistronomy, this restaurant is very clearly able to divide be the best of both worlds, catering to a much affordable contemporary menu of classics, and a degustation for those seeking for an elevated dining experience. For the month of December, this eatery humbly ganders into the modernist takes on Christmas classics. Continue reading →

Enak KL

Nicholas Ng
Daging Goreng Dendeng | Enak KL | Food For Thought

Tucked within the corner of Starhill Gallery on Jalan Bukit Bintang is a little traditional Malay restaurant that lives up to its name… Enak Kuala Lumpur. Delicious indeed, the restaurant serves contemporary masakan kampung with a refined twist. This restaurant serves to elevate the dining experience of traditional Malay dishes, a refinement that is not very common in Malaysia. Based primarily on the southern state of Johor cuisine, Enak brings flavours you can only achieve passed down from generation to generation, but with fine cuts and great quality. Continue reading →

Enak KL: Resipi Masakan Kampung

Nicholas Ng
Kerabu Ikan Pari Daging Goreng Dendeng | Enak KL | Food For Thought

Dalam Starhill Gallery di Jalan Bukit Bintang terletak sebuah restoran tradisional Melayu yang terharum namanya… Enak Kuala Lumpur. Seperti namanya, restoran ini menyediakan masakan enak dengan sentuhan halus. Mereka bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pengalaman hidangan tradisional Melayu, sesuatu yang tidak biasa dicapai di Malaysia. Kebanyakan resipi masakan sini adalah dari masakan Johor di mana citarasanya telah dicapai dengan menggunakan resipi yang diturunkan dari generasi ke generasi, ditambah dengan menggunakan daging dan kualiti yang tinggi.
Continue reading →

Skillet at 163

Nicholas Ng
Skillet at 163 | Fraser Place | Trupcotel

Parked on the ground floor of Fraser Place is a quaint little eatery that you might take for any simple restaurant, but do not be mistaken, this is Skillet at 163, one of the better bistronomies with a touch of fine dining. With French fine dining techniques using local ingredients, Skillet at 163 is heading this new wave of Malaysian ingredient inspired fine cuisine, from their Asam Laksa reminiscent lobster bisque to their take on their molecular gastronomy inspired yee sang, bringing exciting times to the Malaysian culinary scene. Continue reading →

Ultimate Guide: Penang Street Food

Nicholas Ng
Street Food Penang | Ultimate Guide | Food For Thought

The Pearl of the Orient is definitely filled with many drops of exquisite precious culinary pearls, from the internationally known Asam Laksa, to the Char Kway Teow. The plethora of different street food, and its variations, is splattered all over the island. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to some of the best tasting quality food you will find in Malaysia, as is a melting pot of Chinese, Indian, Malay, and British influences. We now explore 26 dishes of Penang’s best street food, some common, and others generally not found outside the island of Penang. Continue reading →

Food Guide: Street Food in Penang

Nicholas Ng
Food Guide Penang Food Title Card

When it comes to best island experiences in the world, there are few that can compare to that of Penang, the pearl of the Orient. The island boasts a complex and rich history due to its pivotal position during the colonial era. This has resulted in Penang becoming a melting pot of multicultural identities from the Chinese, Malay, Indian and European influences. Not only is Penang an unbelievable food haven, its unique position in history has resulted in George Town being named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue reading →

Char Kuey Teow 炒粿條 : Food History of Char Kuey Teow

Nicholas Ng
Char Kuay Teow | Food History | Food For Thought

Malaysia is home to some of the best tasting foods in the world, so much so that Lonely Planet named it food destination of they year for 2015. Amongst the food that was said to be a must try is none other than the local delicacy with its very humble origins, the Char Kway Teow, chau gwai diu (炒粿條) in Cantonese, or bilingually as Fried Kuay Teow. This dish hails from the northern state of Penang, the pearl of the orient, which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue reading →