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Penang, Malaysia

Milk Street on the Road: Malaysia

Photo of Malaysia Scenery

Penang, Malaysia

Fragrant with lemongrass, galangal, ginger, coconut and spices and made substantial with rice, fish and meat, the food of Penang tells a story of geography, trade, class and time. From the intricately prepared dishes of the Nyonya Peranakan culture to the vibrant hawker stall scene to the farms and fisheries of the rural lands, Penang is a rich classroom for the culinary traveler. And as we cook, eat, tour and visit, the intricate history of this tiny island will emerge. Located at the strategic entrance to the straits of Malacca, Penang was once a trade powerhouse, gatekeeping the sea route between the East and the West. As a result, it’s home to many different immigrants and the birthplace of new, blended cultures. One of these is the Nyonya Peranakan, and their historic and contemporary foodways are the focus on our trip with Linda and Poh.
Join us on this exclusive-to-Milk Street journey to explore the cuisine and culture of Penang, Malaysia and the Nyonya subculture.

Trip highlights: Slice herbs into gossamer threads and mix heirloom curry blends in hands-on cooking classes dedicated to Nyonya Peranakan culture; sample sun-fermented soy sauces; visit a nutmeg and durian farm; taste seafood that’s juts been caught; slurp bowls of aromatic noodle soup at a daily market; dine at high-end restaurants and street vendor hawker stalls. Tour Unesco World Heritage sites.

Who you'll travel with: Captain Hoo Peng Poh, Linda Tay Esposito, and on this first departure only, Director of Education Rosemary Gill

A sample of what you’ll eat: The iconic noodle soup of Malaysia, laksa; hyper-local tropical fruits; chicken curries; intricate rice pilafs layered with ginger, herbs and blue pea flowers; multiple versions of roti; fresh coconut water you extract yourself; buttery love letter cookies; enormous, lacy flatbreads called roti; robust Malaysian coffee served with toast, jam and eggs.

Per person cost: $6,750 (Single room supplement: $1,000)
Nonrefundable deposit due at booking: $500

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