Celebrated food historian Khir Johari shares his favourite Malay dining spots in Singapore, which range from fine-dining establishments to casual hawker fare
Renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the culinary world, Khir Johari needs little introduction. With his exceptional magnum opus, The Food Of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through The Archipelago, he earned the prestigious title of Best of the Best Book at the esteemed 28th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, effectively putting Singaporean Malay cuisine on the global map. Within its pages lies a treasure trove of historical narratives, age-old recipes, and a profound exploration of the cultural significance surrounding Malay culinary traditions.
Having grown up in the iconic yellow mansion known as Gedung Kuning, Khir’s culinary journey began in Kampong Gelam—a vibrant hub of gastronomic experimentation. This locale witnessed the fusion of diverse influences from the Nusantara region, resulting in the creation of innovative dishes like mee maidin and mee siam within urban Javanese kitchens. While relishing his mother’s and relatives’ expertly prepared ayam masak puteh and mee siam at home, he also embraced the extensive Nusantara feast offered by the wider community.
In this spirit, we share Khir’s handpicked selection of his favourite Malay dining experiences in Singapore, spanning refined fine-dining establishments to delightful hawker delicacies.
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