Feeding Penang
16 min read
From international players to small cottage enterprises, our food manufacturing industry is thriving and getting more diverse.
Something to Whet Your Appe-Thai
6 min read
Penang, on top of its myriad cuisines, has a wide array of Thai eateries, from restaurants to hole-in-the-wall establishments. While a lot of the dishes are distinctly southern Thai, here and there one finds gems that serve up mouth-watering, less familiar dishes.
Sireh Pinang Leaves Us A Rich Art Legacy
7 min read
Once popular among royalty and later among commoners in Asia as a social custom and a stimulant, the pernicious habit of betel-nut chewing is remembered in Malaysia for its paraphernalia, which are celebrated as nostalgic keepsakes.
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
Matcha, the quintessential tea of Japanese hospitality past and present, was introduced by the Zen monk Eisai to Japanese society in 1191.
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 cuisines: the Eurasians.
Treasures that Tickle Taste Buds and Save Lives
4 min read
Malaysia is abundant with agricultural products that yield an assortment of spices, i.e. black and white peppers, cloves, and cinnamon. But it is its pepper industry that is most developed.
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 (1766-January 25, 1842), and published in London in 1804 are some interesting notes about the importance of pepper.
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 centerpiece of many a warung, and for obvious reasons.
Bringing the Cendol to the World
5 min read
Penang’s street food is top notch – no arguing about that. But the work that goes into making these delightful dishes is often backbreaking: it is a labour of blood, sweat and – if you’re in the business of frying stuff, tears as well.
Kids from the 90’s Would Know
2 min read
We 90’s kids grew up just fine, didn’t we? A cavity here, a tip of the weighing scale there, the grins that light up our faces as we open that box of Ding Dang to peek at the surprise toy.
