What happens when comfort food meets fine dining? Marriott International just gave us the answer at Flavours of the Forgotten, an immersive culinary experience held at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur. The event marked the Malaysian debut of The Future of Food 2026 — a deep dive into how sustainability, heritage, and comfort are redefining luxury dining across Asia Pacific.
The findings? Malaysians love food that feels like home. A whopping 68% of diners now prefer local dishes over international fare, and 42% crave comfort food more than any other kind. Think ulam raja, daun kaduk, and daun pegaga — ingredients our grandparents swore by — brought to life in fresh, modern ways by Executive Chef Nor Azizi in collaboration with urban farmers BoomGrow.
The “Flavours of the Forgotten” dinner also showcased homegrown sustainability heroes like WonderBrew, Brotani, Limelight, and Korte Chocolate × Hétam+, proving that responsible sourcing can still taste indulgent.
“Across Asia Pacific, comfort food is emerging as the new luxury,” said Petr Raba, Marriott International’s VP of Food & Beverage. “In Malaysia, every ingredient tells a story.”
The report also revealed that Malaysians lead in digital dining trends — from online bookings to social discovery — yet our hearts still belong to flavours that comfort and connect. The future of food, it seems, lies in remembering where we came from — and celebrating it deliciously.
