The Best Food in Malaysia: A Flavourful Edge for Business Events
How Event Management in Malaysia Uses Food to Elevate Delegate Experiences
As we all know, Malaysia is known to be one of the hubs for business events here in ASEAN region, but what’s the extra edge that Malaysia has that other countries maybe just a few steps behind? Our food!
Food playing a big part in the international / delegate experience, and Malaysia can be considered as a food paradise where delegates, exhibitors and travelers get to enjoy diverse, world-class cuisine. Seriously, world-class, as our local food is voted as the No 1 food at the World Expo Osaka, Japan recently. (Yeah, we can’t move on from this just yet). (Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/08/1264787/malaysian-cuisine-named-most-delicious-osaka-world-expo)
Based on our experience as one of the event organizers in Malaysia, specifically in Business Events (BE), international visitors attending conferences, exhibitions and trade shows in Malaysia always look forward to sampling local dishes. In fact, at one of the events that we organized last August, our client even threw a durian-party to their almost 500 participants! Now who doesn’t love a party like a durian party right?
So, which food do we think should be served to your clients / participants? So here are some of the foods that you might want to consider?
Nasi Lemak – The legend, the best, can be served either at breakfast, lunch or dinner and a great icebreaker during networking sessions. “Have you tried Nasi Lemak?” always a great conversation starter with any international delegates that come to Malaysia
Satay – Often served at gala dinners or at event receptions, satay is a must have meal served to your delegates.
Roti Canai & Teh Tarik – Do we need to say more?
Cendol / Ais Kacang – What’s the best way to end your conference or exhibition? Serve them with sweet taste of cendol & ais kacang, trust me, you won’t regret it.
Of course, as one of the event organizers in Malaysia, one thing we always consider, whether organizing conferences or exhibitions, is the food that we serve to all participants, be it delegates, speakers or exhibitors so if you’re looking for where to start, the above list should be good enough for you to consider.
Another one important to consider when serving local food, is to get it from our own local producers and source. As the nation is moving towards sustainability and greater emphasis on food security, it is important that we get the food from the local producers as well and not imported ones. In fact, some of the major hotels and venues such as Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, is already making a policy that more than 70% food that they serve must be produce locally and not imported source or ingredients. (Source: https://www.klccconventioncentre.com/organisers/plan-anevent/culinary/sustainable-hospitality)
This is where event such as My Food 2026 is important. Organized by yours truly, Opulence Exhibition Services, championing local producers and bringing them to the centre stage. Set to be held in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) next year from 7-9 May, My Food 2026 is where you can find all local producers and learn about how our local food and more importantly, local farmers and producers present and showcase their product and believe it or not, they are as good, perhaps even better, then the imported food out there.
To sum it up, Malaysia is not only recognised for hosting world-class business events but also for its reputation as a food paradise. From Nasi Lemak to Ais Kacang, dishes serve as more than meals, they are the cultural experiences that international delegates and participants will remember long after an event ends. This is why event management in Malaysia often integrates culinary experience into conferences, exhibitions and any other programs. Taking this a step further, My Food 2026 will serve as a platform as dedicated platform to showcase Malaysia’s food heritage and sustainable practices, positioning the country as a destination for where gastronomy and business events come together seamlessly.
