Malaysia: A feast for the senses

I recently had the opportunity to visit a friend in Malaysia.

She is a former Mesa County Valley School District 51 teacher who is teaching at a university in Indonesia. We thought it would be fun to meet in Malaysia and explore.

Malaysia is a welcoming country with more than 800 islands, two different mainland sections separated by the ocean, and is amazingly diverse with a population of over 35 million.

The main religion is Islam and there are also many people who practice Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.

Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) is the official language, and English is widely spoken along with more than 130 other languages.

With all these cultural differences comes a large variety of delicious foods! Malaysia is a feast for the senses, and I loved my time there.

We started in the vibrant capital, Kuala Lumpur. The name means “muddy confluence” and is where two rivers join.

Prices in Malaysia are incredibly reasonable, and we treated ourselves to a stay at the gorgeous Four Seasons hotel near the Petronas Towers.

Breathtaking views and incredible architecture were everywhere I looked. The hotel’s location made exploring easy, and it felt like a blissful oasis in the middle of the city.

Prior to my arrival, I reached out to the Malaysia Four Seasons’ delightful director of public relations, Tracy Khee. She graciously invited to host us for dinner at their beautiful Michelin-selected Yun House restaurant followed by their cocktail bar.

The elegant restaurant featured floor to ceiling windows and stunning views of Kuala Lumpur.

Chef Jimmy Wong curated a menu for us that was filled with a variety of special and unique offerings.

At the beginning of the meal, diners choose a tea to accompany the food, and it is served in individual teapots. I tried chrysanthemum for the first time and was absolutely wowed!

Dinner featured a lovely steamed sea grouper with asam sauce, a hearty seafood and bamboo soup, tasty deep fried eggplant toasted with cereal and curry leaves, and several more dishes.

The dessert course was a delicious way to end the meal and showcased chilled lemongrass jelly and an aloe vera pan-seared avocado cake.

After dinner, we were entranced by the Four Seasons’ opulent and award-winning cocktail bar, Bar Trigona.

Considered one of the best bars in all of Asia, we were definitely in for fabulous evening. The vibe was dazzling, and the music was just right.

I sank into one of the luxurious couches and was soon joined by the talented head mixologist and beverage manager, Rohan Matmary. He guided us through the theme of the bar and the many choices.

Honey was the focus and I was utterly enchanted. The word “Trigona” refers to a type of stingless bee whose honey is treasured for its nutrients and flavor. I enjoyed a terrific cocktail made with Michter’s rye whiskey, Trigona honey, Amaro Montenegro and black cardamom bitters.

On the cocktail menu it said, “Bar Trigona is a space for constant discovery and for curiosity to flourish — for the senses to come alive and be captivated.” A portion of their sales goes to help revitalize Malaysia’s bee habitats and they work with local farmers on a variety of eco-conscious programs.

This fantastic and innovative bar is absolutely a creative delight! At the end of the night, I drifted into a peaceful sleep in truly one of the most quiet and comfortable hotel rooms I have ever experienced. Everyone’s kindness and hospitality will long be remembered.

The next day, we traveled five hours by car to the island of Penang, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Being from a landlocked state, I am enthralled by the ocean. I find the sound of the waves to be hypnotic and a nice break from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The UNESCO World Heritage site, George Town, had some fun shopping and an array of food options.

One of the highlights was a plant-based restaurant called Kommune. We enjoyed a sampling of Malay foods cooked to perfection, including cucur labu (roasted pumpkin fritters), ren dang (zucchini in a coconut curry) and yummy chilled mee rebus (scallion noodles).

Malaysia is truly a food paradise and I am happy I was able to spend time tasting foods from street vendors, interesting grocery stores, a vegan spot and an exceptional fine dining restaurant and bar. This beautiful, lush, hot, tropical country is rightly proud of its foods and traditions.

I highly recommend a visit to Malaysia and hopeful to return someday.

Email Christine Gallagher at allthingsfoodchristine@gmail. com.

Chrysanthemum tea and a delightful lemongrass jelly with an avocado cake made for a perfect ending to our meal at Yun House.

CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel

The delicious Bumblebee cocktail from Bar Trigona utilizes the treasured honey of a stingless bee.

CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel

Spectacular colors and architecture abound in Malaysia.

CHRISTINE GALLAGHER/Special to the Sentinel