Malaysian Diary – An Insider’s Foodie Tour
By Shelley Rubenstein
From the outset, Odyssey World’s artfully curated Great Culinary Escape delivers a mouth-watering adventure through Western Malaysia. Leading the culinary aspect is accomplished Malaysian chef, Norman Musa, whose intimate knowledge of the cuisine, markets and hawker stands promises a fast-track to the inner circle of modern day Malaysia.
Beginning in Kuala Lumpur, we stayed at the storied Majestic Hotel. This legendary property has retained its colonial grandeur, as exemplified by the British-style afternoon tea, served in the orchid-laden conservatory.
Walking Tour of Historia Kuala Lumpur
Our first dinner took place at renowned Chef Ismail’s Rebung restaurant, where there was a dazzling array of local dishes to choose from. Under Norman’s expert tutelage, I sampled a bite of this and a morsel of that, gauging an informed education to Malay cuisine. The generous selection of desserts, provided a fine introduction to pandan and durian, two distinctive flavours we would be well acquainted with by the time of departure.
Of course, we had to pay a visit to the giant Petronas Towers, which still impress, regardless of their lost status as the world’s tallest buildings. The latest contender to rival their height is the recently completed Merdeka 118 skyscraper. This construction looms large over Malaysia’s capital and is second only in global height to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.
Pangkor Laut Cooking Class
No food-based visit to KL is complete without experiencing the Jalan Alor night market. Vendors sell a variety of dishes, like local favourites Nasi Lemak, a fragrant coconut rice dish served with anchovies, peanuts and a spicy sambal sauce; and Char Kuey Teow, a stir-fried noodle dish cooked with prawns, eggs, bean sprouts and chives.
Prior to a couple of days’ decompression at the idyllic Pangkor Laut Resort, we stop by the remarkable Batu Caves, resplendent with a selection of brightly coloured Hindu temples. It was here I had my first brush with the macaque monkey; they may appear cute at first, but I learnt quickly, that when it comes to snaffling food, they mean business.
There’s no better way to arrive at the stunningly located rainforest-set Pangkor Laut than by speedboat, our chosen mode of transport. The hilltop villas merge with the lush landscape and a feeling of peace and tranquillity pervades. Although we manage to pack an impressive amount of activities into a morning, visiting an anchovy factory, wet market, noodle maker and fish farm, nothing feels rushed. Each visit illuminates, allowing for a privileged peek into local customs and production methods.
Back at Pangkor Laut, we indulge in a traditional bath house experience at the resort’s gorgeous Spa Village. This relaxing ritual sets us up nicely for the first cooking class of the trip. As far as surroundings go, lightly toiling in the beachside restaurant, Fisherman’s Cove, with the sounds of the waves gently lapping, is pretty much living the dream.
Pangkor Laut Resort Infinity Pool
The culinary trail moves on to Penang, where the top notch accommodation continues with the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, located in the heart of the Georgetown UNESCO Historical Site.
Penang's food scene is a genuine melting pot of flavours, incorporating Chinese, Indian and Malay cuisine. For excellent examples of Nyonya dishes, which combines Chinese and Malay flavours, we head to Gurney Drive’s hawker centre. Here we order a variety of classic plates including Assam Laksa, a sour and spicy fish soup with noodles, and the iconic local street food, Cendol, a favourite of Norman’s. This dessert has a very distinctive look and is made with shaved ice, palm sugar syrup, coconut milk, and green rice flour jelly.
At the magnificent bio-diverse Tropical Spice Garden, Norman leads a cooking class, where our newfound knowledge enables us to create a Malay feast.
Rachel Luckhurst during a cooking class
The final destination on the schedule leads us to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Malacca for a taste of Peranakan cuisine. By day, we explore the area on land and water, cruising along the Malacca River, watching this glorious city go by. We enjoy one last jaunt following Norman around the bustling Jonker Night Market. Remaining wide-eyed with our collective curiosity, we’re eager to try whatever food Norman places before us, inevitably propelling the palate into a world of flavoursome delights.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 10 Michelin Star Restaurants In Kent, Sussex & London
On this trip with Odyssey World, every meal, whether street food or fine dining, is a sensory experience. But this culinary escape around Western Malaysia is not merely about food, it offers the opportunity to fully immerse in the local culture. It’s difficult to pick a highlight, because the trip as a whole was genuinely one of those holidays of a lifetime.
Perhaps the most special moment though, was when we were warmly welcomed into the home of Norman’s family. After a veritable feast of tasty home-made snacks, they showed us their rice paddy field explaining how the grain is farmed. It was here we learnt what life is really like living in modern-day Malaysia, enabling us to appreciate a truly authentic and unforgettable experience.
Odyssey World specialises in authentic travel experiences to Asia, Africa, Arabia and the Americas. Private tailor-made tours to discover the cultural, natural, adventure and culinary heart of their destinations can be booked throughout the year. The Great Culinary Escape to Malaysia in September 2023 and the Great Culinary Escape to South Africa in November 2023 are now on sale and can be booked by emailing enquiries@odyssey-world.co.uk or calling +44 117 313 7070. Visit https://www.odyssey-world.co.uk
Images Rachel Luckhurst
#OdysseyWorld #TravelInspiration #IndexDigital
