Why Roti Canai deserves more attention

Roti Canai rarely gets the international recognition it deserves. The richly spiced and coconut-sweet complexity is genuine, not simple, and the technique involved in using belacan shrimp paste correctly takes real skill.

Malaysian cuisine reflects the Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous Orang Asli traditions of a multicultural society. I encountered it first in a mamak 24-hour restaurant and that context helped me understand it properly. teh tarik is the natural accompaniment and the combination makes the case for the dish. If you haven't explored this cuisine seriously, Roti Canai is the dish to start with.