Wonderfood Museum: Plastic has never looked so tasty

The mouthwatering ingredients that go into a delicious bowl of Yong Tau Foo.

Wonderfood Museum is a fun place to see and photograph larger-than-life models of Malaysia’s national obsession – food, in all its varied and delicious forms.

Giant-sized dishes and some fun food-themed props are perfect for taking selfies.

If you have ever seen those ultra-realistic plastic replicas of dishes outside Japanese restaurants, you’ll know what to expect here except that the models are mostly of Malaysian food and they are huge.

Indian indulgences such as Fish Curry, Tosai, Nasi Biryani, Chutneys and sweets.

The museum showcases Malaysia’s unique food culture, drawn from the nation’s rich multi-racial diversity. The replicas are beautifully made and if you weren’t hungry when you entered the museum you will be by the time you leave.

Malay flavours such as Pulut Kuning, Chicken Rendang, Ketupat Nasi Impit and traditional kuih-muih.

Themes include Malaysia’s street food, and there is a map and recommendations on where in Penang you can find the best places to enjoy dishes such as Nasi Kandar, Banana Leaf, Char Kuey Teow, Wan Tan Mee and so on.

For foreign tourists, it is worth visiting the museum for this information alone.

Nasi Kandar. Getting hungry now. Shame it’s not edible.

Figurines illustrate how Malaysians like to eat different types of food at different times of the day.

Of course durian, the king of fruits, is included.

Food as art. This table just looks a mess until viewed from a different angle.

The museum also seeks to educate by including displays on the history of food in Malaysia.  Heritage foods as well as rare and disappearing dishes such as this glutinous rice cooked in pitcher plants, an Orang Asli dish is among the exhibits.

 Food in motion – Malaysia’s talented cooks.

Chinese temptations with Steamed Pomfret, Dim-Sum, stir-fried prawns with broccoli and Moon Cakes.

Review verdict

Visiting this museum is a blast. Everybody there seemed to be having such fun. A definite must-see when in George Town.

Opening hours and admission charges

Open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Ticket Prices 

Wonderfood Museum is at 49, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, Penang.

Adult RM25 for non-Malaysians and RM15 for MyKad.
Child/Senior RM15 for non-Malaysians and RM10 for MyKad.

Wonderfood Musuem 

49, Lebuh Pantai,

10200 Georgetown, Penang

GPS: 5.416407, 100.341142

Tel: +604 251 9095

This article first appeared in malaysia-traveller.com

-FMT