Khir Johari, Recording Malay Food

Khir Johari began to research the book, which contains food history, photographs and a number of recipes, in 2010. The time spent on the research was almost 12 years.

PERIPLUS INDONESIA

Khir Johari

We have long awaited a complete history of the food and diet of Malays. The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through the Archipelago is the answer. The title gives the impression that the book only deals with Singapore Malays. However, this book actually discusses the Malay food in its broader scope, encompassing Nusantara (the Indonesian archipelago).

“When I was one year old, as Idul Fitri was nearing, I was declared missing by my family. People were searching for me. Later I was found under a table, stirring food ingredients,” said Khir Johari, the book’s author, to Kompas in early December in Jakarta.