Food Culture
A bowl of goodness: Fish Head Soup
One of Indonesia's most popular delicacies is Fish Head Soup. This popular dish is full of aromatic herbs and spices that make a delightful meal out of some very basic ingredients. It's a real tribute to resourcefulness of the cooks of Indonesia and their artful,...
The Betutu story
Discovering the secrets of Balinese cuisine is a fascinating journey, and one that at times has an almost fairytale feel to it. Take for example the story of the bumbu genep. This mixture of 13 spices is the basis of nearly every Balinese dish. It is believed to have...
Timeless Nasi Kandar
I have become enchanted by Malay culture, prompted by recent travels to Penang, conversations with people who identify themselves as Malay, and also by the confusion the word causes. Malay, Malaya and Malaysia all have different meanings, and those meanings can depend...
Khao Soi Joy
Khao Soi is said to be the laksa of North Thailand. There are similarities in Laos, Burma (considered the country of origin) and Cambodia. This is one of my favourite dishes, hands down. The main ingredients? Coconut milk, lemongrass, birdseye chilies, cardamom,...