LANGKAWI: For Rozaina Rohimi, preparing kerabu bronok and latok for today’s Asean Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) retreat welcoming dinner is more than just cooking.
It’s about sharing a taste of her heritage with the foreign delegations.
Rozaina, 50, is part of the culinary team at a resort hotel here, preparing exotic delicacies that offer a true taste of Langkawi for the foreign ministers and delegates.
“I am very happy and proud to be part of the culinary team showcasing the exotic dishes of Langkawi to the foreign guests.
“My preparations will include the careful selection of ingredients to ensure that the dignitaries and delegations taste the authentic flavours of these delicacies,” she told Bernama.
Kerabu bronok is a unique Langkawi dish made with the sea cucumber species acaudina molpadioides, while latok, also known as caulerpa lentillifera, is a type of seaweed typically enjoyed as a salad or side dish.
The hotel’s executive sous chef, Elleiry Eddy, said they sourced 10kg of bronok and 8kg of latok from local suppliers for the welcoming dinner.
“Bronok is a species of sea cucumber found only in Langkawi. Kerabu bronok, a dish made with it, is like Malaysian sushi. We would like to introduce these local delicacies to our foreign guests to showcase Malaysian gastronomy,” he said.
Eddy explained that preparing kerabu bronok is a time-consuming process, as the sea cucumber needs to be properly cut and cleaned.
“This meticulous preparation makes the dish special and unique,” he said.
He added that latok is a popular appetiser, traditionally served with sambal kerisik.
“There are 25 of us preparing the meals for the welcoming dinner,” he said.
As Asean chair, Malaysia is welcoming more than 200 delegates to the AMM retreat this weekend.
The two-day retreat, which starts today, will be attended by foreign ministers and representatives of the 10 Asean member states.
Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister will attend as an observer.
To be held at the Langkawi International Convention Centre, the AMM retreat will mark the first major meeting under Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean in 2025, setting the stage for a busy and significant year ahead.
