Malaysia Day Celebrates Malaysian Cuisine in New York City

NEW YORK, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysia Kitchen for the World, a campaign launched by the Malaysian External Trade Corporation (MATRADE) to promote Malaysian restaurants and cuisine in the New York City metropolitan area, has partnered with the Malaysia Association of America to celebrate Asia Pacific American Heritage Month (May) with a special Malaysia Day to be held May 16, 2010 at the Flushing Mall in Queens, New York.

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The theme for the event, "Taste of Malaysia," is centered around the bold, enticing flavors of this Southeast Asian country. Local Malaysian restaurants, including Satay Malaysian Cuisine (Queens), Asian Jewel Seafood (Queens) and Forbidden City (New Haven, CT), will offer special tastings of signature Malaysian dishes — from beef rendang to pineapple fried rice, acar (Malaysian pickles) and Malaysian desserts. The festivities will also include lively cooking demonstrations by Malaysian restaurant chefs as well as engaging Malaysian cultural dances, including the famous Chinese lion dance, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. In addition, non-Malaysian restaurant chefs are invited to sample the cuisine and acquaint themselves with Malaysian flavors and ingredients in order to encourage them to introduce Malaysian or Malaysian-inspired dishes on their menus. Traditional Malaysian food will be available for purchase.

Malaysian cuisine is a fascinating blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian food traditions, sprinkled with Thai, Portuguese, and Middle Eastern influences. Yet it is still relatively little known — even in a sophisticated, multi-ethnic food capital like New York City. This event will create numerous opportunities for consumers and non-Malaysian chefs to gain a deeper understanding of the country and its food.

About Malaysia Kitchen for the World

Malaysia Kitchen for the World is a global initiative of the Malaysian government that aims to educate and inform consumers about Malaysian cuisine and Malaysian restaurants throughout the world. The New York campaign seeks to boost interest among American food lovers to try Malaysian cuisine and visit Malaysian restaurants in the New York metropolitan area as well as in other locations in the United States. The program also seeks to facilitate local chefs and restaurateurs to introduce Malaysian cuisine at their establishments. Visit malaysiakitchennyc.com for more information.

About MATRADE

The Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is Malaysia's national trade promotion agency. Established in March 1993 as a statutory agency under the Ministry of International Trade Industry (MITI), MATRADE is responsible for assisting Malaysian companies to succeed in the international market by developing and promoting Malaysia's exports to the world.

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SOURCE Malaysia Kitchen for the World