Malaysia

This is where my love affair with the foods of Asia began. Twenty years ago when I arrived in Malaysia, a food-focused multicultural country, I immediately knew I was in the right place. Even before we left the airport my Malaysian-born wife, Esther, and her brother, Glenn, began to plot where we were going to eat before heading to their mom’s home. In Malaysia, where food is so central to their lives, breakfast discussions often center around what will be eaten for lunch or dinner. Malaysia has four major distinct ethnic groups—Malays, Chinese, Nonya, and Indians. The only challenging aspect is deciding what and where to eat. Although each group has retained its heritage, and traditional foods from each culture are available, some of the most memorable dishes are those that blend several of the cultures onto one plate.