Food and drink

Typical Malaysian Meals

Understand the typical structure of Malaysian meals, including breakfast (sarapan pagi), lunch (makan tengahari), and dinner (makan malam).
Be aware of the common dishes that might be served at each mealtime, such as Nasi Lemak for breakfast, Char Kway Teow for lunch, and Satay for dinner.
Understand how to use Malaysian vocabulary to describe the process of meal preparation and the actions involved in eating and drinking.

Malay Eating Etiquette

Be conscious of important table manners in the Malay culture, such as washing hands before eating, taking food with the right hand, and waiting for the eldest person to start eating.
Acquaint with the practice of sharing dishes in a traditional Malay meal setting and understand the importance of communal eating.
Comprehend the term ‘halal’ and consider the significance of halal food in the eating habits of the Muslim population in Malaysia.

Drinks and Desserts

Get familiar with typical Malaysian beverages, including teh tarik (pulled tea), air bandung (rose milk drink), and kopi (coffee).
Recognise popular Malaysian desserts like kuih (bite-sized snack or dessert), ais kacang (shaved ice dessert), and durian, the notorious ‘king of fruits.’
Know how to describe the flavours, textures, and ingredients of these drinks and desserts using suitable Malay vocabulary.

Eating Out in Malaysia

Understand the tradition and nuances of eating out in Malaysia, comprising of Mamak stalls, hawker centres, and food courts.
Recognise how to order food and drinks at these eateries using proper phrases in Malay, and get familiar with the idea of ‘tapau’ (take-away) meals.
Discuss how the chaos, variety, and affordability of hawker stalls represent the cultural melting pot that is modern-day Malaysia.

Note: Application of these knowledge through regular practice will improve your proficiency in speaking and understanding Malay in a food and drink context.