Experience the diversity of Malaysian cuisine as you learn to prepare traditional dishes, using rich flavors and spices from a fusion of cultures, including Malay, Chinese and Indian. After hotel pickup by minivan, travel with your guide and small group to Teluk Bahang, a friendly fishing village located on the northwestern tip of Penang Island. Meaning 'Heat Wave Bay,' its name refers to the high temperature of the sea breeze that flows onto shore.
Visit the local market where villagers seek the day’s fresh ingredients each morning, such as fish, vegetables, dry goods and fresh cuts of meat. Around the corner you’ll find stalls selling fresh fruit to complete the nutritional needs of many households living within the area. Your guide will enlighten you about the secrets to Malaysian cuisine and its varied dishes that appeal to a wide range of palates.
Then head to Penang’s Tropical Spice Garden and explore the spice terraces with your guide. View more than 100 varieties of tropical spices and herbs used in flavorings as well as medicines and dyes, and retrace the historical route of the spice trade. At the cooking school, located on sloping land within the garden's natural setting, join expert local chefs and learn how to cook several authentic Malaysian dishes.
During this hands-on lesson, your small group prepares your own meal from scratch, using traditional mortars and pestles to grind fresh spices and herbs like lemongrass, ginger, curry leaves, garlic and shallots — all harvested straight from the garden! Learn about their culinary features from your instructors, who make Malaysian cooking a fun and unforgettable experience. Afterward, enjoy your yummy lunch with your fellow cooking enthusiasts before returning by minivan to your hotel.