As Malaysians celebrate Merdeka and Malaysia Day, four Malaysian-founded businesses in Melbourne are showing how food, hospitality and culture can keep a connection to home alive.
From ice cream and pastries to cafés and whisky, these founders have brought a taste of Malaysia to Melbourne while building new lives in Australia. The businesses featured are Kōri Ice Cream, Krimper Café, Sucre du Jour and The Elysian Whisky Bar.
Bringing Malaysian Flavours to Melbourne
At Krimper Café, Mei May Soon draws inspiration from her Ipoh upbringing and Malaysia’s culture of hospitality. Its Chicken Supreme is a modern take on the nostalgic Malaysian chicken chop commonly found at local hawker stalls.
For Bernard Chu and Joane Yeoh of Kōri Ice Cream, Malaysian flavours are a key part of their creative approach. Their annual Malaysian Festival has featured familiar favourites including Milo Dinosaur, Apam Balik, Sirap Bandung, Kopi O, Durian and Cendol.
For Eigen Ting of Sucre du Jour, Malaysian flavours meet French pastry techniques. His creations feature familiar ingredients such as pandan, sesame, osmanthus and chrysanthemum, with his reimagined Onde Onde inspired by childhood memories.
Meanwhile, The Elysian Whisky Bar owner Kelvin Low brings Malaysian flavours into his drinks, including the Espresslo Martini, made with malt whisky, coffee, Milo and condensed milk.
Discovering Melbourne Through Malaysian Eyes
Beyond their businesses, the founders also shared their favourite ways to experience Melbourne.
Their recommendations range from exploring Melbourne’s famous coffee and café culture to visiting Queen Victoria Market, South Melbourne Market, the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. Melbourne’s laneways, restaurants, bars and diverse food scene also feature heavily in their picks.
For Malaysians looking to venture outside the city, regional Victoria offers plenty to explore. The Great Ocean Road, Port Fairy, Grampians, Phillip Island, Ballarat, Bendigo and Mornington Peninsula were among the destinations highlighted by the founders.
A Little Piece of Malaysia in Melbourne
While each founder has taken a different path, they share a common connection to Malaysia through food, hospitality, family values and multiculturalism.
For them, home is no longer limited to one place. It is something they continue to carry with them through the businesses they build, the food they create and the way they welcome people.
This Merdeka and Malaysia Day, Melbourne offers Malaysians more than a new destination to discover. It is also a place where familiar flavours and Malaysian hospitality can be found far from home.
For more information, visit Visit Victoria at www.visitmelbourne.com