cultural and heritage with malaysian cuisine

8/13/2019 Cultural and Heritage With Malaysian Cuisine

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By:Samsiariah Aliyas

Faculty of Hotel and Tourism ManagementUniversiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam

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CULTURAL AND HERITAGE WITH MALAYSIAN CUISINE

Malaysia, land of diverse society, unique with its multi cultural population is

renowned among international travellers for uniqueness of different races that can

live together harmoniously. Famous for its world wonder destinations, be it island,

rainforest, or cultural spots, Malaysia has a lot to offer for tourist seeking adventure,

leisure and entertainment. One of the major elements of Malaysian tourism is the

vast choices of delicacies which comprise the ethnic food from three major races inMalaysia which is Malay, Chinese and Indian. However, there are also other minor

ethnic groups such as Peranakan and ethnic group from Sarawak and Sabah which

blends in the food culture of Malaysia. This embodies the concept of One Malaysia

which unifies all races as Malaysians.

Over the past few years, the ethnic cuisines were integrated among the races,

creating a new food infusion which is called the Malaysian Cuisine. Food such as

Nasi Lemak no longer associated with Malays, whereas Roti Canai and Char Kuey

Teow are no longer related to the Indian and Chinese. Integration of food culture had

constituted to evolution of new Malaysian image in terms of signature cuisine that it

can offer. Today, Malaysian Cuisine had colours the new era of food wonders in the

country creating a wondrous ownership of every ethnic cuisine to all races within

Malaysia. Now, tourist from all over the world can enjoy and devour Malaysian

Cuisines which comprises variety of food selection such as Laksa, Satay, Wantan

Noodles and so forth. Upon returning to their homeland, tourist can bring their unique

experiences and pass the word to others. This will benefit the country as indirectly

foreigners will start recognizing the Malaysian Cuisines and later might have the

intention to try it hence, contributing to increase in Malaysian tourism.

Although in the global world of modernization, Malaysian Cuisines remained

as one of the cultural and heritage elements of Malaysia. Foods for long had always

been the indicator of one ethnic culture and heritage. If we glance on each race in

Malaysia we can see how food can instantly describe an individual characteristic. For

instance, if we say Tosai, we will knowthat itsan Indian food. Indians wear Sarees


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By:Samsiariah Aliyas

Faculty of Hotel and Tourism ManagementUniversiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam

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and Kurta, they celebrate Deepavali and Thaipusam, their religion is Hinduism and

Bharatanatyam is their traditional dance. This is how food cannot be separated andalways be associated to one special ethnic. Same goes to Malaysian Cuisine, when

a foreigner convey Malaysian Cuisine, they will directly distinguish Malaysia as,

located in South East Asia, having multi racial community, rich with unique culture,

very warm and friendly people as well as hot and spicy foods. This is how food can

directly interpret and describe an individual or a nation, therefore distinguishing it

from others.

Technological advancement and modernization of lifestyles are inevitable as acountry begin to develop and moving towards era of globalization. This phenomenon

brings enormous impact towards the culture and heritage of Malaysian Cuisine.

Preparations of foods are largely effected with the introduction of latest machineries

and equipments that modernize the way of cooking. Kuih Bahulu for example is used

to be prepared manually by beating eggs in large bowls until it is fluffy and have the

right consistency. However, by using specific machine, preparation time is cut in half

thus, saving largely on time and energy. Modernization of food preparation, often

being questioned in terms of its quality and heritage. Will this new way of food

preparation maintain the taste and the quality of the dishes? Can the traditional ways

of food preparation being preserve for the next generation to come? These questions

always linger around the elderly, as some of them might be reluctant to accept

modernization of food preparations. For them, traditional ways of preparation need to

be preserved as it is part of our heritage.

Beside of the many benefits seen, globalization on the other hand also invited

contenders and modification to our Malaysian Cuisine. Years ago, since the early

incoming of foreigners to Tanah Melayu, the ethnic food was able to maintain and

preserve the originality in elements of ingredient used, preparation and taste of food.

Now with globalization, abundance of Western ingredients flooded the food market

giving new options for cooking style and selection of foods to be tried on. Moreover,

foreign ingredients have been integrated in our Malaysian Cuisine causing it to

gradually change over time. With the new generation living a fast paced life and

being more health conscious, Malaysian Cuisine needs to be diversified according to


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cultural and heritage with malaysian cuisine

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