Growing
up in the government quarters of Sungei Besi, just across from the army camp,
I've always felt a deep connection to Malay culture. Surrounded by Malay
neighbors, my siblings and I found ourselves immersed in Bahasa Malaysia more
than Tamil. It was here that my love affair with Malay cuisine began, nurtured
by the tantalizing aromas wafting from neighboring kitchens.
But it's curious how my Indian friends shy away from Malay dishes, as if I'm an Indian alien for loving Malay cuisine. Unlike me, they seem content to stick to their familiar Indian fare. Yet, I find myself drawn to the rich flavors of Malay food, much to their bemusement.