Mrs Balbir's Cooking School Presents a Taste of Malaysia
By Kathleen Pokrud
In celebration of the longstanding diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Thailand, a special culinary demonstration was hosted at Mrs Balbir’s Cooking School with HE Ambassador Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand.
Malaysia is home to a diverse mix of cultures. Aside from Malays, Chinese and Indians, there are a multitude of fascinating ethnic communities. The multi-racial backdrop has made Malaysia a paradise for food lovers with an irresistible array of aromas, tastes and flavours. Ambassador Datuk Wan shared, “The Embassy’s objective in supporting this culinary demonstration is to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and people-to-people ties between Malaysia and Thailand through cultural diplomacy. Malaysian cuisine reflects our multicultural society and shared heritage, and food serves as a universal bridge that brings people together beyond borders. Through this programme, we hope to promote greater appreciation of Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity, hospitality and traditions among our Thai friends and the international community in Thailand.”
During the unique event, the Ambassador prepared three iconic Malaysian dishes representing the nation's rich cultural heritage. First, she shared the art of making Roti Jala (Fishnet Pancake). This dish is known for its lacy pattern and is served with curry or sweet coconut-durian sauce. Another representative dish was Malaysian Coconut Chicken Curry (Kari Ayam), a fragrant coconut milk-based dish with chicken, potatoes and spices, followed by Laksa Asam Penang, a tangy fish-based tamarind noodle soup with Chinese and Malay influences.
Ambassador Datuk Wan commented, “Roti Jala, Chicken Curry and Penang Asam Laksa were carefully selected as they represent the diversity and uniqueness of Malaysian cuisine. Roti Jala and Chicken Curry reflect the rich Malay and Indian influences in our culinary traditions while Penang Asam Laksa showcases Malaysia’s distinctive blend of flavours and regional heritage with a Chinese and Malay touch. Together, these dishes symbolise Malaysia’s multicultural identity and vibrant gastronomic heritage.”
Mrs Balbir, who is Malaysian of Indian descent, was proud to present the Malaysian cooking demonstration. She reflected, “As a Malaysian of Indian heritage, today’s cooking demonstration feels deeply personal and meaningful to me. Malaysian cuisine is a beautiful reflection of our multicultural society, where Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indigenous and many other influences come together naturally. Sharing traditional ingredients and cooking methods reminds me of how food connects generations, preserves heritage and creates understanding between communities. Demonstrations like this celebrate not only recipes, but also identity, diversity and unity through food.”
She added, “From a chef’s perspective, the essence of Malaysian gastronomy lies in its diversity, harmony of flavours and cultural storytelling. Malaysian cuisine is rich in contrasts, blending spicy, sweet, sour, salty and aromatic ingredients in a single dish. Beyond taste, Malaysian gastronomy is about sharing as meals are communal, welcoming and closely tied to family, celebrations and everyday life.”
