London: Despite having lived far from their homeland for many years, renowned United Kingdom-based chef Norman Musa and China-based restaurant entrepreneur Jasmine Kho remain deeply connected to their Malaysian identity. Through their culinary ventures, both Norman and Kho have become passionate cultural ambassadors for Malaysia, showcasing the nation’s rich heritage through traditional cuisine abroad.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Norman, an award-winning chef from Butterworth, Penang, has been actively promoting Malaysian cuisine, particularly in London, through cooking classes, pop-up events, and cookbooks. “Through food, I connect with many people here in the UK and the Netherlands. It’s not about introducing Malaysian cuisine to others but also allowing me to connect with food lovers from different backgrounds in the UK, which makes me think how lucky I am to be a Malaysian and represent a country so rich in diversity and culture,” Norman shared. He frequently exchanges culinary knowledge and ideas with friends who champion their native cuisines, gaining mutual respect for promoting Malaysian cuisine.
Norman’s recent six-week chef residency at The King and Co in London served as a valuable platform to showcase Malaysian dishes, with events in Amsterdam and Rotterdam following the publication of his Malaysian cookbook in Dutch last year. Appointed as Kuala Lumpur Food Ambassador in 2015, Norman has hosted numerous events across Europe to promote the capital city as a gastronomic destination. He continues to feel like a Malaysian flag bearer, championing Malaysian cuisine in Europe and organizing events like the Culinary Tour to Malaysia, set for April 2026, with past support from Tourism Malaysia.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, Kho runs the Laksa Queen restaurant, driven by a desire to introduce Malaysian cuisine to China. Her journey to promote Sarawak Laksa took 10 years, as initial perceptions in China were that it was Western food. Her restaurant not only serves as a business venture but also as a means to preserve cultural heritage. The interior design of Laksa Queen transports guests to a 1960s-style kopitiam, adorned with personal and cultural memorabilia.
Kho’s restaurant features a mural depicting four generations, including her daughter and late grandmother, emphasizing her deep-rooted connection to her Malaysian heritage. Despite challenges, Kho remains passionate and perseverant in educating the market about Malaysian cuisine, using social media to share cultural stories and build a loyal fan base over the past decade.
As Malaysia celebrates National Month, both Norman Musa and Jasmine Kho reflect on their deepened pride in being Malaysian, with a strong sense of cultural confidence firmly rooted in their identity.