There is an abundance of fresh, affordable seafood and fish available in Malaysia. My hometown of Ipoh is only an hour and a half away from the coast, so we’re spoilt for choice. I once travelled to the seaside town Lumut where I witnessed fishermen hauling in their fresh catch and sorting them before packing them in ice for sale at the wet markets. I’ve tried to get aboard one of those fishing boats, but tradition dictates that no women are allowed, for fear of bad luck! Well, I’ll just stick to cooking the fish then.
Whenever I travel back to Malaysia I make a point of eating as much fish and seafood as I can, and each of these dishes brings me very happy memories.