Malaysian cuisine stands to benefit from America's changing tastes

There are many version of laksa in Malaysia. Photo: The Star

Some decades ago, the term “exotic” was used by many Americans as a euphemism to refer to most Asian food products which had then a narrow circle of die-hard fans of Asian cuisine and the more adventurous food experimenters.

America’s taste for the exotic has, meanwhile, undergone a volte-face, as it were, with many, particularly the adventurous millennials, willing to try out “exotic” foods. Malaysia’s cuisine is, meanwhile, attracting its own fan following among America gourmets and consumers alike. The metamorphosis has come about slowly, aided and abetted by a number of factors, including increased travel and trade, intra-cultural exposure, globalisation and what have you.