Feeding Penang
16 min read
Penang – food haven par excellence. And it goes without saying that its people are a proud lot, fiercely defensive and boastful of their hybrid cuisines....
Something to Whet Your Appe-Thai
5 min read
Left: Nak, and his family.When we think about Thai food, we think of fiery, strong-tasting dishes such as tom yam or kerabu. But Thai cuisine is much more...
Sireh Pinang Leaves Us A Rich Art Legacy
6 min read
Din Omar – Assimilation (Tepak Sireh Series) The Floating Cembol and Kacip. Acrylic and batik collage on canvas, 75cm x 75cm.Din Omar &nda...
The Many Faces of Our Local Dishes
8 min read
Malaysian street food is not just mouth-watering and alluring; it is also very versatile in nature. We explore a few Penang favourites to see how they differ in...
Japan’s Matcha Takes Root in Penang
5 min read
Komichi Tea House's co-owner Chuah Joe Yin.Matcha, the quintessential tea of Japanese hospitality past and present, was introduced by the Zen monk Eisai t...
Would You Like Some Devil In Your Curry?
8 min read
A fusion of East and West, and centuries of intermarriages have led to the creation of a community with a rich hybrid culture, language, customs and also cuisin...
Treasures that Tickle Taste Buds and Save Lives
4 min read
Comparable to gold and gems, spices were among the most valued items of trade in ancient and medieval times.1 The ancient Egyptians used spices for food-flavour...
The Early Promise of Penang Pepper
8 min read
In A Short Account of the Settlement, Produce, and Commerce, of Prince of Wales Island, in the Straits of Malacca, written by Sir George Leith, 2nd Baronet (1...
Nothing Says “Malaysia” Like Nasi Lemak Does
5 min read
Nasi lemak is irrefutably Malaysia’s national dish. And that’s not because Wikipedia says so.A few years ago, I was travelling to London to attend...
An Ulam A Day…
4 min read
Healthy, ubiquitous, affordable – ulam (Malay salad) is the centrepiece of many a warung, and for obvious reasons. Usually taken raw on the side, lightly...
Bringing the Cendol to the World
5 min read
Tan Chong Kim.Penang’s street food is top notch – no arguing about that. But the work that goes into making these delightful dishes is often b...
Kids from the 90’s Would Know
1 min read
School canteens are much healthier these days. Gone are the keropok and kiam sooi tnee – the love of many a child and the bane of parents. High in sodium...