Malaysian food trends in 2023: What will we be eating this year?

From an increase in upscale restaurants to a shift towards local produce, there is a lot to look forward to in the Malaysian dining scene this year. – Photo: BETA

Last year was a pivotal year for the Malaysian restaurant industry. Although things started out bumpy and chaotic with the Covid-19 pandemic still rearing its ugly head, by the end of 2022, the industry was indelibly changed by three key words: the Michelin Guide.

The Michelin Guide debuted in Kuala Lumpur and Penang in December 2022 and although its after-effects will only be fully felt a few years from now, already seismic changes are afoot in the local dining scene, many (but not all) of them directly related to the guide’s presence.