3. Malaysian inspirations
Technomic identified Asian island cuisine as a top trend in 2018, and Malaysian ingredients and dishes are now flavoring some independent menus. Malaysia’s culinary heritage has been influenced by China, Southeast Asia and ethnic groups that have long lived on the island. Dominant flavors in the cuisine include coconut, chili, lemongrass and lime leaves, often showing up in curries and rice dishes.
On the menu: Nasi goring crab fried rice, a Malaysian-Chinese fried rice with crab and egg crepes, is a special at Brewery Bhavana in Raleigh, N.C.