A Flavorful Journey: Uncovering One of Asia’s Culinary Treasures
The earliest memories I have of food are rooted in my grandmother's kitchen, where she and my aunties would prepare enormous meals for the entire family.
I feel like these gatherings were the norm in those days. On my father's side, the tradition was big BBQ lunches at my grandparents' house, where they'd set up a long table outside.
Great-grandparents I vividly remember them always sitting in the middle of the whole thing like kings, second-degree cousins, uncles, and aunts would all come together, and we'd spend the entire day feasting my grandfather's special churrasco. Thinking back, I realize that food for me has always been tied to celebrations. Maybe that’s why I’ve always loved cooking. I even considered becoming a chef at one point, but eventually, I realized the lifestyle wasn’t for me.
Food food from Italian colonies, and farming folks, that was my reference for good food. So, when I traveled to Asia at 18, I made sure to pack a suitcase full of familiar foods, just in case I couldn’t adjust to it.
In the beginning, it was a bit challenging to eat local meals during my jobs in Kuala Lumpur since the meal of the day always had a chance to be too spicy, too oily, too raw, too sweet, and too salty, sometimes I didn't even know how to describe what it was. It took me a few years before I learned about Umammi's taste. Yeah was that different? But it passed and my taste buds were finally tuned.
Kuala Lumpur is a culinary wonder. It’s a melting pot of influences from China, India, Indonesia, Middle East, creating an exotic fusion of flavors, colors, and aromas. After just a month in Asia, I found myself fully immersed. I was living in one of the most vibrant and exciting places I had ever been.
My favorite places to eat quickly became the street food stalls and food courts, a staple across Asia. It’s like a mall food court but located on the streets, bustling with energy.
After making some local friends the culinary experience took a whole new level, I remember when one of my friends took me to Bangsar to eat what they call there as banana leaves. A place where you eat with your hands on a banana leaf and they keep bringing endless options of fragrant rice, curries, and Indian bread. It was pure heaven.
The best roti paratha and fried rice I’ve ever had came from those street vendors in Kuala Lumpur. Places like Jalan Alor, a bustling street-food haven, became my go-to. At night, the city truly comes alive with food stands offering everything from satay skewers to nasi lemak, and people moving through the crowds like a flowing river.
Sometimes, we’d grab a bite as a warm-up before hitting the clubs. On other nights, the food stands themselves became the destination, with the atmosphere feeling like an open-air bar.
It was in the vibrant streets of Malaysia that I found myself celebrating once again the experience of exploring food. Each corner had something new to offer, whether it was the fragrant laksa soups or the smoky char kway teow. There are so many places I still remember vividly, and I feel compelled to share them with others—like the lively stalls of Kampung Baru and the hidden gems tucked away in the alleys of Bukit Bintang. These culinary experiences weren’t just meals; they were adventures that shaped my love for food in a whole new way.
I’ll be sharing the exact locations of the many incredible places where I’ve had the best food experiences, but for now, let’s savor this entrée.