THE FOOD DIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA

     By: Emyrulisa Nadhrah binti Noordin (2018214254)

       Malaysia is a multiracial country. The majority of Malaysia's population can roughly be divided among three major ethnic groups which consist of Malays, Chinese and Indians. The main thing that connects them in one community is the diversity of food among these ethnicity which are Malay cuisine, Chinese cuisine and Indian cuisine. This is very important for us Malaysian to know so that if we want to promote Malaysia to other people from different countries, we can surely give them the right facts about the foods that we have in Malaysia.

       Firstly, the Malay cuisine, which is the most commonly available as they are the biggest race in Malaysia. Generally, Malay cuisine can be distinguished through its ingredients such as coconut milk, spicy sourish tamarind and tomato sauce. The overall tone is spicy with a little tinge of sweetness. For instance, Nasi Lemak, Rendang, Beef floss, Shrimp paste with pounded chillies. Traditionally, Malays eat rice with "ulam" or shrimp paste with pounded chillies with right hand and never with the left hand.

       Secondly, there are varieties of Chinese traditional cuisine. Most of them are prepared with many ingredients and in different types of method. Usually, they prepare the food by boiling or frying method with the ingredients of flour, salt or sugar syrup, chicken meat and so on. For example, there are fried dumplings, soup dumplings, steamed or boiled dumplings. On the other hand, Chinese pastry is made in a variety of tastes and can be found during specific events. For instance, moon cakes.

       Lastly, Indian cuisine is famous with curry, banana leaf rice and breads such as chapati, naan and roti. Their food has been assimilated with Malay food through mix marriages of Indian Malay. For example, Mamak food which cannot be found in India are The Tarik (tea with milk), murtabak and rojak (a mixture of fruits with peanut sauce). In Malaysia, Indian foods are traditionally served on thali, a circular metal tray in which several small bowls are called katori also made from metals, are placed. Rice and bread are usually served on thali, while curries and other dishes are served in the bowls.

       As a Malaysian, I would like to promote about our foods to another country so that they know that Malaysia provides different types of foods. For instance, Malaysia should do a campaign or an event to promote the food that we have in Malaysia to the tourist who visits Malaysia such as a Food Festivals. This can surely attract the tourist with the culture of Malaysia.

       In a nutshell, there are Malaysian ethnicity create diversity of food which consists of Malay cuisine, Chinese cuisine and Indian cuisine. Therefore, Malaysians should be very proud to be in a multiracial community that contributes to various types of food to savour and cherish.