SURPRISING THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT MALAYSIA

Penang is the street food capital of Asia

The Malaysian state of Penang, and particularly its capital George Town, is considered as one of the best destinations for street food in Asia, if not the world. Take your time to stroll through George Town and you'll meet with hundreds of hawker stalls.

 Every stall shall offer everything they have from samosas to spicy noodle curry to cendol. Not to mention dessert made from sweet grass jelly to coconut milk. Penang cuisine is heavily influenced by the Baba-Nona concept which is a unique subgroup whose food and culture is a mixture of Chinese and Malay.

Their famous and ultimate dish is asam laksa. It is actually a bowl of silky rice noodles served in a sour, spicy, tamarind-based mackerel soup, and often topped with onion, pineapple, mint, ginger, and shrimp paste. The taste is so good that you want another once taste it again.

The largest flower in the world grows in Malaysia

Did you know that Malaysia's most famous plant is the rafflesia flower? It is due to the fact it is the largest ever grown in the world. Not to mention that when it bloom, it can extend more than a yard in diameter. It name is Rafflesia and the largest flower in the world.

When blooming, the flower emits a putrid stench, giving rise to its nickname "corpse flower." The odor attracts flies, which then transport the pollen. It unique trait making it is one of the interesting flower that ever been discover from every perspective.

Rafflesia flowers generally grow in the rainforests of Borneo. Malaysia is one of 17 countries with "mega diverse" wildlife. Thus making Malaysia an interesting nation that has varies kind of flora and fauna which become it inhabitant unconsciously.

The 'king of the fruits' grows there — but many can't stomach it

Durian is likely the most polarizing fruit on earth. It's known as the "king of the fruits" in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. This is a unique fruit which hard to find in the West Country and the taste is delicious toward those who can stomach it.

 The tough, spiky husk must be skillfully sliced open with a sharp knife to eat it. Then, it shall reveal pods of mushy, custardy durian flesh that make people attract to eat it. Its sweet-and-savory taste is a bizarre combination of pineapple, onions, caramel, almond, butter, and cheese.

Durian is certainly an acquired taste, and Malaysians take immense delight in watching foreigners take a bite for the first time. It is a unique fruit which become people favorite and attraction in Malaysia every time fruit season take over.

Author: Mohd Imran Tashiron