In today’s globalized world, it is common to find a country’s cuisine in far-flung places. However, experiencing a nation’s food within its own borders often provides a more authentic taste. Recently, American food content creator Tommy Winkler set out to explore Malaysian cuisine, not in Malaysia, but in Singapore, much to the amusement and dismay of some netizens.
Sampling Malaysian Food Abroad
Tommy Winkler, known for his food-based content on YouTube, responded to a viewer’s suggestion to try Malaysian food. But instead of traveling to Malaysia, he decided to sample the cuisine in neighboring Singapore.
“Let’s see if it can beat Singapore. Let’s eat!” Winkler said as he embarked on his food journey at a Singaporean hawker center that serves Malaysian dishes. He sampled food throughout the day, starting from breakfast all the way to dinner.
Unconventional Food Choices
However, Winkler’s food selection raised eyebrows, with his choices diverging from the iconic staples of Malaysian cuisine. For breakfast, he opted for durian sorbet, a polarizing fruit that left him visibly unimpressed. His snack was more conventional: 12 sticks of satay paired with a refreshing sugar cane drink. For lunch, Winkler tried “ikan bakar” (grilled fish) and “roti canai,” and he concluded his day with a plate of biryani rice and a rendang dish, though he didn’t specify the type of meat in the rendang.
Despite his unconventional breakfast choice, Winkler enjoyed the other meals, giving the overall experience a solid rating of 8.7 out of 10.
Netizens React: “Not Quite Malaysian Enough”
Winkler’s food tour, however, did not sit well with many Malaysians. Several commenters expressed that the experience of Malaysian food is far superior in its homeland, with some pointing out that it would not only taste better but also be more affordable in Malaysia than in Singapore.
One netizen quipped, “Trying Malaysian food in Singapore when Malaysia is literally next door.” Another added, “Going to Singapore for Malaysian food is like going to the UK for French food.”
Others took issue with the specific dishes he chose, particularly the “roti canai,” which some felt was more akin to Singapore’s “prata” in terms of texture and taste. “That ‘roti canai’ isn’t even roti canai. It looks like cheese naan,” one user remarked.
Some also commented on how certain dishes Winkler tried, such as rendang and biryani, while delicious, were not exclusive to Malaysia and are often found across different parts of Southeast Asia.
Missed Opportunities for Iconic Malaysian Dishes
Several commenters pointed out that Winkler missed out on Malaysia’s most iconic dish: nasi lemak. The absence of this quintessential meal led many to feel that his tour of Malaysian food was incomplete.
While Winkler gave the food a high rating, the consensus among many Malaysians was clear: for a true Malaysian culinary experience, one must cross the border into Malaysia itself.
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