Malaysian 'Mamak' flavors find new home in Guangzhou

In the heart of Guangzhou, a Malaysian-Chinese couple has recreated the authentic taste of Kuala Lumpur's vibrant street food scene. Their humble eatery, serving classics like nasi lemak, laksa and teh tarik, has become a cultural bridge – comforting homesick Malaysians while introducing Chinese diners to rich Malay flavors. With the extended China-Malaysia visa-free policy and over 500 weekly flights connecting the two nations, such grassroots exchanges are flourishing. Malaysia aims to welcome seven million Chinese tourists by 2026, and this cozy restaurant, where travel brochures sit beside spice racks, has unintentionally become a microcosm of people-to-people diplomacy.