Written by lainie at 11:57 PM on June 21, 2009.

Nothing gets to me like meeting someone who has eaten in Singapore, and presumes it represents the food in Malaysia. Except because Singapore is more developed, the food is better. It kills me. At the wrong time of the month, it could kill the person who says it.

Also, it hurts my conscience to keep that polite smile plastered across my face. But I do, because I don't want to look like that crazy Malaysian girl who hates the tourists in Singapore.

If you are a foodie, and your explorations of Asian cuisine begins and ends in Singapore, you look like an ass. Sorry, there's no avoiding it. There is fantastic food in the region, and Malaysia is foodie heaven.

Every Malaysian who watched Discovery Travel & Living during Anthony Bourdain's review of Singapore's Ampang Yong Tau Foo (a Hakka Malaysian food famous in Ampang, Malaysia) died a little death that day. Despite Singapore being a dot on the map next to Malaysia, it felt like we were the little guys.

On that day, Bourdain became to me an aggravating schmuck who was willing to eat/drink anything, which where I come from, is not a distinguishing characteristic to boast of.

To be fair to him, I don't remember Bourdain claiming to be anything else in his book. And there are other people on tv far less amusing. But they're not in Singapore praising Malaysian food, are they? Bourdain didn't even look like he knew we existed, which was probably the best slight any person in Singapore could have dealt Malaysia

Enough about Bourdain, what am I supposed to do with the people I meet here? Thwack them with the KL guidebook I wrote?

I now live in a country where I have frequently seen on menus, this "Malaysian" item: Rice with skinless, boneless chicken cubes, generously topped with creamy satay sauce.

I know our satay comes with ketupats/lontong and peanut sauces, BUT FOR FUCK'S SAKE???

Meat cooked with satay sauce is, I think, an Australian invention. Alongside the parma, I might even call it their national dish, just by the number of times I have seen it on the menu.

If I saw this menu item all the time, I might not feel inclined to go to Malaysia either. After all, "Singapore Fried Noodles" seem safer and more appealing.

Never mind that you can spot some Malaysians (or Indonesians) new in town, because they will at some point take pictures of the "satay sauce on rice" dish listed in the menu stuck on the window. As I have, out of sheer incredulity.

Still, if you have not been to Malaysia (and by some weird chance got to my blog, or worse; because you are one of those persons who kickstarted this post), read these food blogs from KL/Selangor:

1) Masak-Masak,

2) A Whiff of Lemongrass and

3) KY Speaks

Three food blogs with different styles and approaches to their content.

Right. I'm done. I had some balut earlier and I need to sleep it off. Phew. Heavy.

[ WOAH! I've not been to Masak Masak blog in a while, did she get a fancier camera or what? Pics look way better! ]