Comfort Food

Food displayed for sale at a market in Melaka City, Malaysia

As a child I grew up in a household where a variety of cuisine used to be cooked. The dominant one always being Malay cuisine, which is very close to my heart.

“Food is the most primitive form of comfort.” - Sheilah Graham.As the saying goes Malay cuisine has always proved to be comfort food to all those who seek solace in it.

Malay cuisine originates from Malaysia. It is a fusion of three major culinary ethnicities, such as, Malaysia, India and China.  A strong Thai, Indonesian and Middle Eastern influence of flavours is also notable.

The ingredients used are very fresh, exotic and healthy giving the dish a sweet and sour flavour to it. The dish is cooked in such a way that the ingredients sing for themselves and are not overly empowered by spices and other flavourings. Many of the herbs used in Malay dishes impart a unique flavour not influenced by any other added flavouring, but stand out in the dish giving it a zing. One major feature is that Malay food is very spicy. Having said that, one must remember, the spiciness in the dish does not make it inedible.

Nasi Lemak

Fresh ingredients such as coriander, pandan leaf, cumin, garlic, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and fenugreek, to name a few, are staple in all dishes. Coconut milk, however is a  habitual ingredient in the Malay cuisine. Popular dishes that constitute the cuisine are Satay, Sambal Udang, Beef Redang, Ayam Masak Merah, Nasi Lemak and Air Batu Campur to name a few.

Food on display in a street stall

What makes this cuisine comfort food is the frequency at which it is available to the people. On every street in Malaysia one can find a food stall that whips up these delicacies, ensuring that the people in that region never go to bed hungry. The food served in these road side stalls are hygienic and not to forget, tasty. This cuisine helps people connect to the food that they eat as it is warm not only for the stomach but also for the soul. This is food that you will never get tired of eating.

Photo courtesy : Google Images

Maria Rubina R

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