Malaysia has a tantalising array of dishes to sample when traveling around the country, but when travelling by yacht, you need to have the requisite ingredients to create your own interpretations of some of the classics. Or even better, get the chef to do it for you. In this article we will walk you through five of the most popular Malaysian dishes so that you can ensure you get the most from your Langkawi Yacht experience.
Bakuteh
This dish is an adapted version of a south Chinese recipe. Bakuteh, which translates to mean a meat bone tea, is a herby soup comprised of a pork rib broth rich with garlic, herbs and spices including the signatures of the region; cinnamon and star anise.
Cloves and fennel seeds are also usually added. It is an intensely rich dish owing to the fat from the pork, and this is why it is served in broth. Other optional additional ingredients include tofu which is a great substitute for the pork for any vegetarian diners, and also mushrooms to add some more texture to the dish.
Satay
Many regions claim Satay as their own, and it is most commonly seen in Thai or Chinese dishes, but the Malaysians do a great one. Hot skewers of your chosen meat can be marinated in a peanut rich, and spice laden sauce which is a favourite right around the globe. It’s a fun, sharing type food to eat, and also as delicious the next day to really let the meat take on the flavours of the marinade. Tumeric is key to the taste of this dish, and you can add vegetables to suit your pallet. This dish tastes like you have eaten something naughty, but it is actually packed with nutrients unlike other comfort foods. Satay is particularly tasty when accompanied by something light and crisp such as cucumber, or maybe even some little pieces of pineapple.
NasiLemak
This dish is often considered the national dish of Malaysia. Meaning rice in cream, the dish is formed of a small banana leaf parcel, encasing sticky coconut rice, and accompanied by a glorious mix of spice, crisp anchovies, roasted nuts, egg, and cucumber. You can play with this a little and chose hard boiled eggs or more of an omelette style depending on your preference. There is salt, sweet, crunch, and smoothness all in one recipe here, with the signature spicy kick of the region to top it all off. Typically served alongside another dish such as a curry, or eaten alone as a breakfast food.
Roti Canai
Now this is one for breakfast. A descendent of an Indian recipe, made up of an elasticated dough (flour, egg, and ghee) which is then stretched out, and folded over to be cooked on a griddle. Akin to a croissant, this dish is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It can also be created as an accompaniment to a dahl, or other main dish much like a naan would. Also known as flying bread due to chef’s ability to flip and toss it like a pancake. A traditional flatbread of sorts, which when cooked right, is one of the simplest but tastiest recipes that comes from Malaysian cuisine.
Hainanese Chicken rice
Last but not least, this chicken boiled stock which is traditionally served with cooled rice. This rice has also been cooked in the stock of the chicken to make sure that none of the glorious chicken taste is wasted. The dish is also characterised by the fragrant chilli, ginger, and garlic flavours that are added to the stock. This one is a great warming dish, and is also very comforting for that reason. Like a good chicken soup, this recipe is sure to make you feel in tip top health.
There are so many delicious Malaysian recipes, but these five are the most famous and for good reason. They are staples of the local diet, and can be dressed up and dressed down for any occasion or for any meal of the day. If you are armed with this suite of dishes, you are sure to have a delicious time on your yacht charter. Good food is important when on board, to keep you energised and ready for the adventures that lay ahead. These dishes are simple, yet warming, and exciting.
Photo credit: worldtraditionalmedicine.org, beyondsustenance.com,malaysiatravelnews.com, 21food.com, allasianfood.wordpress.com
One of the benefits of a
Have a good look around the vessel before you venture out to the shops. See what equipment you already have so you know what you have available when it comes to cooking. There is no use buying tins for example if you do not have a tin opener. Do not take anything for granted – even the kettle or toaster. You may want to consider this ahead of time, especially if you are venturing on a lengthy trip, as it may be quite nice to have some of your favorite cooking utensils with you. This will especially be the case if you are a bit of a dab hand in the kitchen – you may have a special knife or something that you simply cannot do without. You may also want to consider bringing your own spices and herbs with you as they may be tricky to find in foreign locations.
On board a boat, it will be impossible for you to eat fresh ingredients with every meal. They are harder to store and can go off quicker. This is another reason why planning is of great importance. You will need a good stock of dry, store cupboard style foods to ensure you will never go hungry should there be a problem with the refrigeration unit at any point during your trip. Of course, if you are in a suitable environment, and have the skills and equipment, you may want to make an activity out of catching yourself a fish supper a couple of nights – but just remember you cannot count on a bite. Always have a backup plan. With yachting holidays it is also important to remain fit and healthy, as they can be quite active, and so make sure you get a good balance of nutrients with every meal – in addition to the delicious treats (you are on vacation after all).
It goes without saying really, but we shall say it anyway – space on board is very limited. You need to consider this when doing your shop, and when packing for your trip in general. Food is a necessity and so should take priority in terms of storage space on your yacht. There may be times when repackaging items is a good idea to ensure you are only taking with you the quantity needed.
With good planning, your food waste should be minimised, but you may also want to consider getting food with the least packaging so you do not become overrun by rubbish. You may want to ask about the garbage disposal practices and allowances. Remember to keep your recyclables separate and to never dispose of any rubbish in the waters around you. We must keep the seas clean for you, and others to enjoy time and time and again. Discarded trash can be very harmful to marine life and wildlife and so you must ensure your rubbish is disposed of in the correct way when travelling by yacht. Anything that you would normally throw in a compost bin however is perfectly safe to throw out to sea.
People tend to be hungrier at sea, and so it is good to have meals planned which allow people to go up for seconds. Think about – on board a lovely yacht you have more time on your hands, and you may be exerting yourself a little more than usual with all of the duties that come with renting a boat. Fruit, nuts, and crackers are great little energy boosters to keep handy throughout the day, but at dinner time, you will want something a bit more hearty. You must have knowledge of likes and dislikes of your passengers as well as any allergies as previously discussed. Some people can’t abide baked beans – even though they are a handy quick filler.
Cooking on board can be a really rewarding and enjoyable part of your 
Phuket is a shopper’s dream. You can be guaranteed to have an exuberant experience at one of the island’s many night markets where you can find a diverse selection of authentic Thai merchandise, perfect for mementoes or gifts for loved ones back home. Phuket night markets are a must when travelling to Phuket whatever the season.
This market is located along Chao Fa West Road, just outside of Phuket Town, and is the best market for the bargain hunters and rummage lovers among you travellers. It is awash with second hand goods and pirated items. It does however also have a stock of wild animals which may be slightly disturbing, although fascinating to some visitors. It is worth a visit to observe the fascinating culture around the market. There is so much on sale you could easily waste many an hour wandering around perusing. There is a covered section of the market which hosts mainly second hand clothes, and tourist trinkets. Outside there are stalls selling CDs, DVDs, mobile phones, jewellery, and other accessories. Just before the main entrance on the right you can sample some of the local cuisine including buttered corn on the cob, spicy sausage, exotic fruit, and even deep fried insects for the braver among you. The floor is cemented unlike some local markets and so you won’t have to worry about your boots getting muddied. It is good to get there early to avoid the crowds.
This is the most popular attraction in the area known as Phuket Town. Starting from Thepkasattri Road stretching all the way to Phuket Road you see beautiful festive multi-coloured lights setting the scene of the market. On each side of the street you will find a wide selection of eateries as well as merchandise stalls with items such as t-shirts, stuffed animals, and printed fabrics which are very popular with tourists. The walking street market also has a good array of street performers to keep you entertained whilst you shop. Normal shops are open too which means there is even more choice, and there is often some form of dancing that you can get involved with. Street performers do not ask for money, but they would appreciate a small tip for providing the entertainment as many of them are young and looking for funds to get through education.
The live performances here are a must see, and combined with the variety of stalls it really is a great experience. Because it is relatively unknown by tourists at the moment, it is quite small, and clean, and gives you a real taste of Thai markets. The market is set up along one street, and it probably takes around 20 minutes to walk the length of it, that is if you are not drawn in by the many fascinating market stalls. The type of goods you can expect to find at this particular market include clothing such as shoes, handbags, and jeans. You can also get some great customised, handmade items such as key rings, and beautiful items of jewellery at very reasonable prices. There are also a number of artist booths which offer caricaturing and portraits, which make for great souvenirs or gifts. You can also get
selection of street food. Frequent visitors suggest taking your time, and maybe having small samples from a number of vendors so you are sure not to miss out on something spectacular by filling up at the first stop. Local delicacies such as Thai Salad, Chicken BBQ, local fish-paste balls, seafood, and fish maw soup. As well as the savoury feasts on offer be sure to save room for the sweeter selection which includes cakes, candies, and crepes. For tradition try the Thai style crispy pancake (kanombuang) which looks like a taco but it is made from rice flour, topped with coconut cream, and other toppings of your choice. There are also many choices when it comes to liquid refreshment, from sugar cane, orange juice, traditional teas, to more indulgent cocktails.
Phuket is a great place to visit all year around, but for the best of the weather November to April is considered the best time to travel and enjoy a yacht charter. Between these times you get more sun and less rain as a rule. It is never cold in Phuket, and it can of course rain at any time. But after November through to April prevailing winds are from the North East. This means rain and storms are far less likely. It also means that in high season the West facing beaches are very sheltered, and the waters are beautifully calm. This makes for a great 
As it is high season, many of the hotels hike their prices up and have been known to be very busy. It depends what your ingredients are for a magical holiday. Hiring a yacht makes for an adventurous, yet more peaceful alternative, and means you can make the most of the calm seas during this season. At the moment, Simpson Yacht Charter has a 
The biggest draw with Phuket, and Thailand in general as a sailing destination is the sunshine and gentle breezes. Everyone wants to go home with a little colour in their cheeks, and high season is the best time to achieve this due to the clarity of the skies. The low season runs from May to October, and this is because this is the monsoon season for the South West. Strong South Westerly winds brush across the country from the Indian Ocean. This means that beaches can sometimes be a little blustery, and waters too rough for any of the most popular recreational activities. Of course one cannot always predict the weather, but your chances of torrential rain are much greater outside of the high season.
Temperatures can range from 25 to 34°C (77 – 93°F) throughout the year. The high season, also known as the dry season, is slightly cooler but significantly brighter which makes it infinitely more comfortable. Low season is characterised by the tropical monsoon. The transitional periods between the seasons can host weather that is harder to predict than normal. The hottest time of the year is between April and May, but it is also the muggiest, and some of the wettest.
boat tours and ferries, and can sometimes even stop trips to other islands. There are other drawbacks to travelling in low season too such as reduced visibility. The stormy situations around the islands can often stir up a lot of silt from the sea bed which makes diving a far less fruitful and pleasurable experience. If you decide to take the plunge, be a little more safety cautious as there can be strong currents and rough surf around.
The key safety rules are:
For those children not used to boats it is worthwhile going through the boat explaining where everything is and what not to touch. Involve your children in the navigation and you may find you have skills to learn too.
If you are on a sailing trip through the Indian Ocean around Phuket this month, then you must stop to experience the internationally renowned Phuket Vegetarian festival which is running from 12th October until 22nd. Over 9 days, the southernmost province of Thailand will be awash with ceremony, celebration, and accompanying festivities.
The colourful festival is held to celebrate the Chinese belief that abstinence from meat and various other stimulants during the ninth lunar month helps obtain good health and peace of mind. The festival is famous because it is about so much more than vegetarianism. Also known as the Phuket Nine Emperor Gods Festival, a form of the festival which takes places to allow for purification dates back to as
Chinese Opera Troupes were brought to Phuket to perform rituals, but after sickness kept coming, they led the locals to fat and pay homage to the Jade Emperor God (Yoke Hong Song Teh) and the Nine Emperor Gods (Kiu Hong Tai Teh). This happened during the first to the ninth Chinese lunar month, and somewhat miraculously cured ailments of the area. An emissary was later sent to China to
The ‘pilgrimage’ still happens, and ashes are brought back to be added to the pot to symbolise infinity and continuity between generations. The urn is believed to be spiritualised by the presence of the gods and is a great focal point for the festival. The philosophies associated with the festival all have links to cosmology and cosmic symbolism which makes it even more magical. The festival is to cleanse the community and worshippers of their sins, it is a festival of renewal and purification which is where the vegetarian element comes in – cleansing the body. It is thought this process limits the chances of misfortunes in life and calls forth good fortune and is believed to help bring about success, prosperity, and longevity (Hok, Lok, Siu).
The Preliminary Rituals take place on the last day of the eighth lunar month. These include a demarcation and consecration ritual which prepares the main festival compound for the festivities. There is particular focus here on the kitchen within the shrine, as this is where the vegetarian food will be prepared for locals to consume which in turn enables the cleansing process. The tall Lantern Pole Raising Ritual is also before the nine days of celebration in the preliminary stages. This pole contains nine wicks in oil symbolising the Nine Emperor Gods which are suspended throughout the festival.
The most significant ritual of them all is the Nine Emperor Gods Invitation ritual. Prior to this The Jade Emperor God ritual symbolises the Emperor is at the head of the Taoist Pantheon. The Nine Emperor Gods Ritual is conducted near the water, and a pair of wooden blocks are thrown to see if the Gods have descended from heaven and arrived to the shrine. The incense urn containing their spirits are put in a secluded darkened room for the duration of the festival, into which only the censer master is allowed to enter.
means that all living things are spared over the course of it, and that hands can remain clean both literally and metaphorically speaking. The second is to abstain from stealing to show respect in the presences of the Gods and for the festival and what it is trying to achieve. Third; abstain from sexual behaviour for reasons of purity and focus. The fourth is to abstain from lying – truthfulness is an important part of the cleansing process. Lastly is the abstention from alcohol, as this clouds the mind and often leads to other impure choices.
There are a number of other governing principles which are expected to be followed albeit not as strictly as the former five. These are abstention from gambling, adorning oneself with jewellery and leather goods (and anything made from animal hide), and avoiding wearing any colours other than white (a colour connoting purity and simplicity). It is also advised as best practice for anyone in mourning or any menstruating or pregnant women to take part in any of the rituals. As per usual vegetarian practice, all kitchen crockery and utensils are also supposed to kept solely for vegetarian cooking and dining within the festival.
Simpson Yacht Charter 