A taste of Ceylon’s Malays: Chef Ruzaina Hadgie to showcase family recipes at Aliyaa KL and Penang

Sri Lankan Malay chef Ruzaina Hadgie will present a series of dinners in Kuala Lumpur and Penang this month, showcasing a cuisine shaped by centuries of migration across the Indian Ocean. — Picture courtesy of Aliyaa

By Malay Mail

First Published: Sunday, 08 Nov 2026 10:50 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 — Sri Lankan Malay chef Ruzaina Hadgie will present a series of dinners in Kuala Lumpur and Penang this month, showcasing a cuisine shaped by centuries of migration across the Indian Ocean.

The events, titled “Ja Minissu: The Malays of Ceylon,” are a collaboration between Aliyaa and The Minority Taste, according to a press release.

“For Malaysian diners, the story may feel like meeting a long-lost relative: the names and aromas are familiar, yet the flavours have evolved in a world of their own,” the release stated.

The four dinners will be held on November 25 and 26 at Aliyaa in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, and on November 29 and 30 at Aliyaa in George Town, Penang.

All dinners begin at 6pm, with limited seats available.

The menu will feature dishes such as babath puruth (spiced tripe curry), daging chuka (beef cooked with vinegar and spices), and serikaya (steamed coconut custard).

Hadgie founded The Minority Taste to explore Sri Lanka’s food traditions and has collaborated with international food creators including Mark Wiens and Trevor James.

The specific menu for the Aliyaa events will be announced separately.

For reservations and further information, visit www.aliyaa.com.