Malaysia – Durian and stinky tofu
May not be the strangest… But which is stinkier?
Durian, the king of fruits in many countries including Malaysia, is a tropical and seasonal fruit. It is well-known for its thorny husk and strong odour, which is regarded as sweet fragrance by durian lovers and stinky by the haters. Some even mistaken its pungent smell as a gas leak! There are many varieties in Malaysia; the most popular and expensive is Musang King.
Many people prefer eating it fresh but some like it in dessert (ice cream, cake, bubur cha cha etc.). As for me, I like it fresh regardless of the varieties and the bubur cha cha.
It’s durian party! (Me, seated 2nd right)
It’s said that coconut water cools our bodies of heatiness caused by eating too much durian
Durian Bubur Cha Cha (a coconut milk dessert)
Stinky tofu is made of bean curd fermented over several months. It is commonly deep-fried until golden and eaten with chilli sauce although there are other varieties too. It depends on individual preference. It is a side dish or snack usually sold at roadside kiosks or night markets. Its stinkiness is said to resemble rotten garbage or smelly feet but for me, it resembles sewage when I first ate it several years ago in Kuala Lumpur. I might try it again… wink!
Stinky tofu
Ms Susan Lai
Corporate Resources & IT Dept, SCAO KL