11/10/2025

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Comfort food I N Malaysian homes, comfort food is more than a recipe – it is a feeling. It is the joy of recreating a childhood favourite, the warmth of cooking for someone we love and the quiet satisfaction of preparing a meal just for oneself. o Cooking campaign shows how Malaysians use everyday meals to connect, express love of minutes of joy stirred, baked and sauteed – and revealed a deeply personal and culturally rich relationship with food that went beyond ingredients and into the rituals of everyday life.

The showcase features a variety of interactive workshops and tasting sessions. Visitors to the showcase will be able to explore Australian dairy through cream cheese and yoghurt, learn about the country’s premium fruits and vegetables, discover the future of its seafood industry, enjoy both classic and contemporary wines and get insights into the latest trends in Aussie beef and lamb. This year’s programme is particularly meaningful as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Malaysia. With Malaysia ranked as Australia’s 11th largest trading partner in agriculture, exports to the country reached A$1.8 billion (RM4.9 billion) in 2024 and 2025. Malaysia’s rising affluence, expanding middle class and appetite for premium imports make it a significant growth market for The campaign uncovered how Malaysians relate to comfort food: 0 91% cook for loved ones, showing how food is often an act of love – a way to care for family, partners or children. 0 47% cook alone, highlighting comfort food as a form of self-care, indulgence or emotional regulation. 0 Four in five of comfort food dishes are warm, from a bowl of creamy soup to hot toast. 0 One in two prepared larger portions to share, turning meals into moments of togetherness. 0 42% tie dishes to personal memories, from childhood kitchens to travel experiences or moments that gave them a sense of comfort and safety. Beyond the numbers, Malaysians described comfort food with phrases like “tastes like a hug”, “warms my soul” and “not fancy, but full of love”, underscoring that comfort food here is defined not by complexity but by emotion. Most dishes were made with humble, everyday ingredients – from cheesy toast to creamy broccoli soup, yet they carried deep meaning. “Through this campaign, we saw how food becomes a language of love. It was never just about sharing recipes, it was about rediscovering the emotional power of food and celebrating the stories behind every dish,” said Emborg Malaysia country manager Felix Ewe. Comfort food in Malaysia is as diverse as its people. Across entries, the constant was familiarity rather

As more Malaysians embrace home cooking in the wake of post-pandemic lifestyle shifts, the act of cooking is not just a necessity but also a source of joy, creativity and connection. This was the heart of Find Joy in Cooking, brought to life through #EmborgComfortFood, a nationwide campaign by Emborg that invited Malaysians to share their ultimate comfort food stories. Over 300 Malaysians opened their kitchens and hearts, representing thousands

The act of cooking is not just a necessity but also a source of joy, creativity and connection.

than any single ingredient – warm, savoury dishes built from everyday staples. While cheese is not traditionally part of local cuisine, many participants found creative ways to fold it into familiar recipes, pairing it with bold spices and textures that reflect local tastes. Across submissions, a recurring pattern emerged: dishes often combined starches like rice, noodles or bread with creamy textures and umami -rich elements, a trio many Malaysians associate with ultimate comfort. Tomatoes (23%) and mushrooms (20%) were among the most-used ingredients, not only for flavour but also for how well they complemented dairy. Alongside with these staples, entries showed a preference for local herbs and aromatics like pandan, lemongrass, curry leaves and basil, underscoring comfort built on rooted, familiar flavours.

A dish such as creamy tomato pasta brings out the simple joy of cooking.

kerang (clams), reminding us that comfort food can be nostalgic, inventive and deeply Malaysian, all at once.

Some home cooks embraced playful reinvention, experimenting with unexpected combinations such as golden kaya toast or buttermilk

Celebrity chef Nik Michael Imran dishes up creamy tomato pasta at the Find Joy in Cooking event recently.

Taste wonders of Australia AUSTRALIAN horticulture, dairy, meat, seafood and wine recently came together under the Australian Food and Wine Collabration Group to showcase “Taste the Wonders of Australia” in Kuala Lumpur. Australia, Dairy Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia, Seafood Industry Australia and Wine Australia. It is designed to boost trade ties, improve market access to Australian goods and give consumers a closer look at the country’s premium food and wine. Ű BY ASHIQIN AHMAD

The showcase is a collaboration between The Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group, which brings together Hort Innovation

Aussie lamb.

An array of fresh Australian goods.

Australia sustainable international trade senior manager Catherine Taylor reaffirmed its long history of cooperation with Malaysian partners dating back to the 1960s. With Australian avocados, cherries and almonds already a familiar sight in Malaysian supermarkets, the showcase will build even stronger awareness and appreciation for Australian produce while paving the way for future growth in the sector.

to Malaysia’s evolving demand for premium products. Meat and Livestock Australia regional manager for Southeast Asia, Valeska V, noted that Malaysians are among the highest per capita consumers of beef and lamb in Southeast Asia. Seafood Industry Australia CEO Veronica Papacosta highlighted strong interest in rock lobster, salmon and sea cucumber while Dairy

Australian producers. Hort Innovation Australia general manager and biosecurity R&D Dr Mila Bristow said the collaboration helps agencies and producers present themselves in Malaysia as a united group under the Nation Brand, which creates stronger visibility and long-term relationships. She added that the initiative places an emphasis on sustainable partnerships. Industry leaders pointed

Seafood produce.