Kelantan: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through the National Heritage Department (JWN), will feature more than 10 nearly extinct heritage dishes at the Festival Cita Rasa Warisan@Pantai Timur 2025 (FCRW2025), which will run for three days starting Sept 5. Intangible Cultural Heritage Division director Dr. Eyo Leng Yan announced that the event, themed Jom Bekwoh, will take place at the grounds of Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, among the dishes to be featured at the festival are nasi 100, kerabu beko, gulai daun kilek, itik solor, apam bakar, and ros lidah. More than 75 vendors will also serve heritage cuisine, offering over 150 types of dishes from 10 districts in the state, including Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, and Machang.

Dr. Eyo stated that there are nearly extinct heritage dishes across Malaysia, which is why the festival aims to highlight these dishes according to each state. She explained that a dish is categorized as nearly extinct when there are fewer than five people who can make it, emphasizing the need for successors to preserve these heritage dishes.

Kelantan is the third state to host the festival after Kedah and Sabah, with the aim of promoting, elevating, and sustaining heritage dishes, especially those recognized as national heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645). Currently, 213 dishes have been recognized as national heritage, including nasi kerabu, cek mek molek, jala emas, lompat tikam, and budu.

In addition to heritage dishes, the festival will feature traditional cultural performances such as makyung, wayang kulit, menora, dikir barat, zapin salor, and tarian asyik. Kelantan’s unique cultural heritage will be showcased alongside communal cooking activities involving communities from various districts. Fun events, such as a race while wearing the semutar (headgear), will also be part of the attractions awaiting visitors.