Tamil people who migrated from south India form the largest Indian diaspora in Malaysia.

Iconic Malaysian eateries, like the ubiquitous “mamak” restaurants primarily originate from Tamil Nadu, in particular from the Ramanathapuram district. In addition, traders from the Karaikudi Chettinad region also impacted Malaysian Tamil cuisine.

My family’s dining table was an amalgamation of all these styles, driven by the ingredients that were available in northern Malaysia, namely Penang Island.

My version of Malaysian Tamil food is influenced by my mother, grandmothers, and my Penang grandfather’s demanding taste profile. Enjoy.