When it comes to food, Malaysians take great pride in the flavours that define our culture.
Photo via Facebook (Brent Farris)
From spicy sambal to fragrant curries and from nasi lemak to char kuey teow, our dishes carry a unique blend of influences that make Malaysian cuisine one of a kind. Food is not just about eating here, it is about identity, tradition and community.
Recently, an American tourist, Brent Farris, shared his thoughts online and sparked a lively discussion. Posting in the Malaysia Travel Tips Facebook group, he compared Malaysian food with that of our neighbour Singapore. While he acknowledged Singapore’s rich food culture, he expressed his personal view that Malaysia offers the same variety at more affordable prices, and in his opinion, tastes even better.
He wrote with a cheeky disclaimer: “If it offends you, I apologise in advance. OK, I’m not sorry.”
Farris then turned his attention to durians, the fruit that never fails to stir strong opinions. He described Malaysia as the origin country of the “king of fruits” and declared that our durians are the best in the world. With a playful tone, he noted that while Singapore is well known for celebrating durians, the fruit itself is not cultivated there. He even gave a light-hearted nudge to Thailand, another durian-loving nation, saying, “Sorry, Thailand.”
For him, finally voicing this opinion felt like lifting a weight off his shoulders. “I’ve been wanting to say this for years,” he admitted.
Farris is no stranger to Malaysia’s durian culture. His Facebook page is filled with stories of his fruit adventures, from tasting red-fleshed durians near Mount Kinabalu in Sabah to indulging in creamy varieties in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan.
When we stayed near the peak at Mt. Kinabalu, we enjoyed the local red fleshed durian there. Someone asked me if I had tried it. Yes I have ❤️❤️🇲🇾🇲🇾
Posted by Brent Farris on Monday 30 June 2025
Now back in the United States, he shared that he is already looking forward to returning to Malaysia later this year. It is safe to say durians will once again be on his must-eat list.
At the end of the day, food will always be a friendly point of conversation between Malaysia and Singapore. Both nations share deep culinary roots, but for Malaysians, there will always be a special pride in the unique flavours of home.
