BEIJING DIARY: PROMOTING MALAYSIAN GASTRO-DIPLOMACY IN CHINA

By Siti Radziah Hamzah

BEIJING, June 30 (Bernama) -- Food is the best way to learn about a country's culture, and it also offers a sense of familiarity as well as comfort for natives who live abroad. 

Malaysia is famously known as a foodies’ paradise as Malaysians generally enjoy the diverse culinary heritage of their multicultural society.

In Beijing, I chanced upon a newly opened Malaysian-owned kopitiam, Laksa Queen, that offers an array of Malaysian foods such as kuih kaswi, homemade kaya toast with half-boiled eggs, chicken hor fun and cendol musang king which is also a perfect antidote to the Chinese summer heat.

Apart from cendol musang king, the kopitiam also offers authentic Malaysian food including laksa Sarawak, which has been promoted in the Chinese capital city since 2019.

Craving for Malaysian food, I recently went to Laksa Queen, the first kopitiam concept created by Malaysian-owned MULU Group,  in the capital city of China.

The opening coincided with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties, which plays a significant role in promoting Malaysian gastro-diplomacy.

Together with me was another Malaysian journalist from Sin Chew Daily who has been craving for a good Malaysian meal as well as another journalist from Maldives, Ibrahim Hulail, who has visited Malaysia many times.

Ibrahim told me that he had not eaten curry since his arrival in China for the media exchange programme we participated in since late February this year.

I made many subsequent visits to Laksa Queen just to cure my cravings for Malaysian food.

From my observation, Laksa Queen received overwhelming support not only from the local Chinese but also the staff from the Malaysian embassy as well as other Malaysians.

Laksa Queen is more than just a kopitiam; it is a beacon of Malaysian culture in Beijing, offering a taste of home for Malaysians abroad and an introduction to Malaysia's rich culinary heritage for locals and visitors alike. It plays a crucial role in strengthening cultural ties and promoting gastro-diplomacy.

-- BERNAMA