PENANG ISLAND – Its truly appetizing aroma attracts many visitors. That is nasi kandar, a steamed rice dish mixed with seven to 10 types of sauce and paired with various side dishes.
Introduced in Penang by Tamil Muslim traders from India in the early 1900s, the desire to enjoy kandar rice dishes has been increasing among food lovers over the past few decades. Today, it remains a favorite dish among Malaysians of all races and religions.
Popular nasi kandar restaurants in Penang such as Legenda Hameediyah, Nasi Kandar Pokok Ketapang and Kapitan Maju are often crowded and full of customers, but people are willing to wait in long queues to enter. Interestingly, the restaurant has become a meeting place for residents of multiple races and religions, thus fostering unity among Malaysians.
According to one of the restaurant’s owners, Muhammad Riyaaz Syed Ibrahim, 33, nasi kandar no matter how it satisfies the Malaysian palate since generations and also in its own way succeeded in uniting the people of this country.
He said side dishes served with kandar rice such as fried chicken, beef, fish roe, shrimp or squid, along with vegetables such as eggplant, okra or sweet potato, are enjoyed by most Malaysians.
“My restaurant, Hameediyah, has been operating since 1907 and is recognized as the oldest nasi kandar restaurant in the country. Throughout the years, from generation to generation, restaurant operators have witnessed harmony among Malaysians of multiple races through food,” he said Named.
Another owner of Deens Maju Nasi Kandar Restaurant, Tajudeen S. Jamaldeen, 54, agreed that nasi kandar unites Malaysians.
“Since I started this business in 2012, I have seen firsthand how customers of different races come here and don’t mind sharing a table.
“Interestingly, some famous dignitaries even celebrate their birthdays here and they will hold a banquet for all other visitors to the restaurant, regardless of race.
“People are generally happy to enjoy their kandar rice, and some even make friends or get to know each other while eating. You really see the harmony between different races when they share a meal of nasi kandar,” he said.
Mahadi Muhamad, 35, an executive chef at a hotel, believes the seating arrangement at a nasi kandar restaurant plays an important role in fostering friendliness or hospitality among customers of various races.
“I myself have seen a group of office colleagues of various races gather at a Kandar rice restaurant for lunch.
“This shows how food like kandar rice can be a strong connecting bridge between people of different ethnicities,” he added.
That’s the magic of culinary dishes that were introduced to this country almost a century ago.
It doesn’t matter if one enjoys nasi kandar with just salted egg and sauteed cabbage, or with a more expensive side dish but it will always be a Malaysian favorite. – ANN/The Star
