Even some Malaysians might hesitate before diving hand-first into a banana leaf meal, but not this adventurous Polish TikToker.
She took it upon herself to introduce her parents to the delicious world of Malaysian dining, sans forks and knives.
“I told my parents it’s illegal to use cutlery here,” she quips at the beginning of the video, a cheeky start to their culinary journey.
As they sit down to eat, her comfort with the local lingo shines through.
She chats up the waiter all in fluent Malay.
When the waiter brings over the rasam soup, her dad’s puzzled expression is priceless. “What’s this?” he asks, only to be met with an expert breakdown from his daughter.
She doesn’t stop there; she demonstrates the fine art of smashing papadom over rice, turning the meal into an interactive experience.
“Take your hand and mix the dish together,” she guides, encouraging her parents to dive in.
Her dad, a tad timid with his portions, gets a gentle nudge from his daughter: “You’ve got to be a bit more brave with it.”
The verdict? A resounding “sedap” from both parents, with her mom adding, “It tastes so different with hands, doesn’t it?”
Their initial skepticism turns into genuine enjoyment, proving that sometimes, the best utensils are right at your fingertips.
Been in M’sia for 9 years
Speaking to WeirdKaya, she said she has been embracing Malaysian culture for 9 years, delving into the tradition of eating with hands, which she adopted soon after arriving.
With the help of local friends, she’s been discovering culinary treasures and mastering the dining techniques.
She describes an immediate connection with the practice, feeling it enhances the food’s flavors and brings her closer to the stories behind each dish.
For her, nasi lemak and banana leaf meals are unimaginable without the direct touch of her hands.
Her parents are also getting the hang of this hands-on approach. While it requires some getting used to, they thoroughly enjoy the experience and are eager to continue their gastronomic adventures.
The TikToker also offers tips for those new to this style of eating: start with manageable portions to avoid waste, don’t shy away from the mess that comes with eating with your hands, and mix curries to taste the full explosion of flavors.
She personally loves to drench her rice with curries, a method known locally as “banjir.”
One netizen couldn’t help but jest, “Fuhhh, her dad straightaway start eating, no need to explain,” applauding the father’s natural flair for the local dining etiquette.
Meanwhile, another Malaysian shared a relatable confession, “Hey, even I, a Malaysian, don’t know what rasam is… can someone explain what it’s for?” echoing the curiosity that traditional dishes often spark among locals themselves.
This heartwarming and humorous family experience not only showcases the beauty of cultural exchange but also emphasizes the unique bond food can create among people from different backgrounds.
