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I have been enjoying Rick Stein's tour of Asia on TV. It has made me want to go to Malasia in particular. I love asian cuisine, and I could almost taste some of the food that was being prepared and eaten . I have always had a bit of a crush on Rick Stein as well. He just seems a thoroughly nice man, and not an arrogant backside like Gordon Ramsey is . I always seem to get a feeling of stress or anxiety I suppose if I watch Ramsey. I just change channels now when he comes on. I find Rick Stein,'s programmes really interesting and pleasurable to watch in comparison. And tonight I found myself thinking about taking a holiday in Penang or some of the other places he has just been to. Anyone else want to fly away with me too ?

I find the program interesting but am a bit leary about visiting those sorts of places. Not a big fan of spicy food because i am afraid of upsetting my dodgy stomach I suppose. Some of it revolts me, especially like when he was eating the fish stew, and the eyes and all were in and he popped them in his mouth like they were lollies. Shucks no... I am still shuddering at the thought of that side of it. I would need to know there was a pizza hut and a Macca's there before i went somewhere like that.

Oh yes, I wouldn't be eating the fish eyes either Fran, nor the gelatinous chicken feet that Rick said were all bony . You could tell by the look on his face that he didn't really enjoy them at all either. In fact when she offered him more, he very quickly , replied, " No thanks, one is enough ," !
I do like a lot of Asian style food though - Thai especially but so long as it is not too spicy. I have not had much to do with Malaysian cuisine, but just assume it would be similar to Vietnamese which I also have enjoyed so long as I was perfectly sure that I was not eating Dog as they do over there. OMG... I shudder at the thought of that !. No, really I was very taken with the beautiful sandy beaches though, and the sun and the warmth. It was pissing down with rain, and cold when I had the sudden strong urge to bolt of to Malaysia for a holiday.

Hi KKK Katy,
I absolutely agree with everything you say and especially about Gordon Ramsey, I reckon he is now trying to get back the money he appears to have squandered by appearing far too often on our TV's. Malayasia and in particular Penang is a marvellous to visit. I have always thought that Penang was my favourite place , its like a cross between a Pacific Island and an Asian country, I absolutely loved it. That was a few years back, my dec'd husband and I lived in Singapore for two years and I would often jump in the car and go over to Malaysia. The food is fabulous and its just an amazing place. I would like to go back in about 18mths, so I hope you find someone sooner to go with you. Good luck.

Hi Goosiepie, and welcome to Real Women too. You know, with Gordon Ramsey I have found that you either love him or hate him, and as I have said, I can't really stand the man myself. However I seem to remember having a similar conversation here once before, and I believe there were quite a few members at the time who actually said that they LIKED the guy... eeks... quick, quick , duck low , before they all start throwing stones at us .
Goosiepie I am glad I have found an anti G. R . ally in you !
Yes, you really get to know the real cuisine when you are living in a place.. or at least have easy access to it as you did, living in Singapore.
I had a wonderful time in Vietnam when I stayed with family members who were living there for three years. I did a short course on Vietnamese cooking while staying there, and that was quite a highlight for me too . Lovely people... especially the ladies. Very sweet and gentle people, and oh so hard working !. I would return there in a heart beat too.

I've only ever been through Asia as a stop over but never been interested, but thats changing now that a lot of people I know have been to Vietnam and Malaysia and no one has come back with negative feedback. I watched Rick Stein's show last week and did enjoy his respect and compassion for the people of Bangladesh. It was interesting watching him cook the dishes when he got back to Britain. It wasnt boring but low key to what I'm used to watching! I used to like watching GR but now I much prefer the Masterchef series and the My Kitchen Rules.

Welcome Goosiepie

In the mid 80's I spent a couple of months in Asia inc Malaysia when the airports had scary rifled soldiers walking around at Kuala Lumpar ( is that spelling right ??? geeze the brain fag) and the old and the very young showed interest to the traveller to some degree, the others ages mostly seemed almost suspicious and the culinary arts of preparing your food fresh meant exactly that and not only vegetables. Most meals in the markets were meats, fish and some other unimaginable.
I found one would have to go to a good restaurant to have a 'civilized' meal prepared behind closed doors.or at the table.
I must admit one did not have to choose the living creatures.
I ate well there and tried many of the average people's culinary blends.
I travelled by the public buses and trains and in all will remember many good things though especially some of the tastes and aromas of the Eastern cuisine.
I wonder if much has changed since then?

In over 20 years I would expect a lot of change. Most cities are constantly changing and in Asia getting more and more Westernised, and sometimes it seems to me that here in NZ we are becoming more and more Oriental. There are so many Asian restaurants and shops now and even in small to medium sized towns in NZ too, not just in the main the cities.