When it comes to savouring the finest culinary delights in the Southeast Asia region, it's universally acknowledged that each country boasts its own distinctive and signature dishes. Yet, trusting the ratings provided by Taste Atlas, a website that meticulously gathers reviews from seasoned food critics and local connoisseurs, may not always align with our personal taste preferences.
Read: Malaysia Ranks 39th By TasteAtlas, How Are We Supposed To React?
Read: Roti Canai Drops Down To #2 Best Street Food In The World By TasteAtlas
When inquiring about the ultimate Malaysian culinary experience, unanimous consent would affirm the exceptional quality of our diverse cuisine, spanning across all 14 states. Nevertheless, an enduring rivalry persists between Malaysia and Singapore, extending beyond cultural and economic realms to the very heart of our gastronomic heritage.
While some may find this subject matter delicate, a recent bold proclamation by local actor Hero Tai on a Taiwanese television show has ignited widespread interest among both Malaysians and Singaporeans.
Singapore’s Food Is Stolen From Malaysia
The Malaysian-born celebrity made a notable appearance on an episode of “Student (同學來了),” where both Malaysian and Singaporean guests candidly discussed their lives in their respective countries. The atmosphere was harmonious until it was Hero's turn to share his perspective. He deftly navigated the conversation toward the realm of food, asserting that many dishes commonly linked with Singapore, such as chicken rice and bak kut teh, actually originated in Malaysia.
Boldly stating, "All the Singaporean dishes you're familiar with have roots in Malaysia," he sparked a lively discussion on the show.
Unsurprisingly, the Singaporean guests on the show took Hero's statement quite seriously, contending that the dishes in question were a manifestation of "cultural exchange," with Singapore actively contributing to the "promotion" of these culinary delights. Subsequently, another participant in the discussion pointed out that Malaysia, in contrast, had not effectively marketed its own diverse array of dishes.
Subsequently, in the later segment of the show, the Taiwanese guests were graciously given the opportunity to savour both renditions of various local dishes from Malaysia and Singapore. Fortunately, the tasting garnered positive reviews, and the guests thoroughly relished the lively banter that ensued among them.
No Stopping The Roast Train
Hero Tai didn't stop there; he continued to inject humour by playfully poking fun at some of Singapore's tourist attractions, including Gardens By The Bay and Wave House Sentosa, cheekily remarking that these structures were all "man-made." With a mischievous tone, he jokingly advised anyone planning to visit the compact island nation to limit their stay to no more than three days, suggesting that the limited attractions might lead to boredom.
Undoubtedly, his remarks did not resonate well with Singaporeans, and they promptly took to the comments section to criticize the 37-year-old. They observed that his comments on the show displayed a level of immaturity and viewed it as a reflection of his personal insecurities.
Here’s some of the comments:
"I am a Malaysian working in Singapore and have also studied in Taiwan. Since entering the workforce, I've found that people in Singapore are generally more friendly and helpful.
As for the notion that Singaporeans are afraid of losing ('kiasu'), I directly asked my Singaporean friends about their thoughts on this statement. The results were quite peaceful and chill 😂. Therefore, there are certain things worth learning from them, as being ambitious does not necessarily mean being afraid to lose. Best wishes to all overseas students still in Taiwan."
"The severity of Malaysians' inferiority complex is quite pronounced, always sour grapes."
"One Singapore dollar is now equivalent to 3.5 Malaysian Ringgit. Still arguing with Singapore about the source of food 🤣." & comparing currency again
"In the program, Singaporeans appear more amiable, while Malaysian guests come across as assertive. Even if you are all correct, it leaves a negative impression, no wonder a small country like Singapore is more famous than you."
While the ongoing debate about the food origins has been a longstanding discussion, the direct criticism of Singapore as dull with no tourist attractions is undeniably straightforward. Admittedly, both Malaysia and Singapore boast an array of tourist attractions and hidden gems waiting to be explored, adding a distinctive charm to the tourism culture in Southeast Asia.
What do you think of the comments by Hero Tai? In our view, it may have gone a little bit too far.
Let us know what you think!
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media & various cross-references for context.
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