The Merchants of Malaysia: Fairmont Mumbai Presents a Malaysia Food & Culture Festival in Collaboration with Tourism Malaysia

Mumbai, 28th January 2026 — Fairmont Mumbai, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, invites the city to embark on a refined culinary journey with a Malaysian Food Festival at The Merchants, taking place from 30th January to 8th February 2026.

Hosted at The Merchants, Fairmont Mumbai’s signature New Wave Foodhall, the festival is a celebration of cultural exchange and immersive gastronomy. Renowned for its six theatrical kitchens and dynamic dining format, The Merchants will be transformed into a vibrant stage for Malaysian cuisine—where time-honoured traditions, masterful techniques, and the everyday rituals of Malaysian food culture come together in an evocative showcase. Guests can expect an experience that is as sensorial as it is authentic, offering a deeper connection to Malaysia’s rich and diverse culinary heritage.

The collaboration unites Fairmont Mumbai’s culinary brigade with two distinguished ambassadors of Malaysian gastronomy Chef Irwan, Corporate Executive Chef at Adabi Consumer Industries, and Chef Faridul Ataras Ab Razak, Executive Chef at Ibis Hotel Kuala Lumpur City Centre. With decades of experience spanning leading international hotels, prestigious culinary competitions, and dedicated advocacy for Malaysia’s food heritage, the chefs bring an authoritative and intimate perspective on a cuisine shaped by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and regional influences

Guided by Chef Prasad Metrani, Executive Assistant Manager- Food & Beverage at Fairmont Mumbai, the festival is anchored in a shared philosophy of honouring authenticity while reinterpreting flavours for the contemporary palate. Together, the chefs will curate a thoughtfully composed menu that captures the richness and diversity of Malaysian cooking—brought vividly to life through live culinary stations and interactive kitchens, inviting guests into a dynamic and immersive gastronomic dialogue.

“At Fairmont Mumbai, we see food as a powerful expression of culture and connection. This collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysian Consulate allows us to present Malaysian cuisine in its most authentic form, while reimagining it through the lens of our experiential dining philosophy at The Merchants. Guests can expect a thoughtfully curated journey—one that celebrates tradition, technique, and flavour, brought to life through live kitchens, signature dishes, and a sense of discovery that unfolds with every course” says Chef Prasad Metrani, Executive Assistant Manager- Food & Beverage at Fairmont Mumbai

Ms Noriah Jaafar, Director, Tourism Malaysia Mumbai quoted, “This year, as we celebrate Visit Malaysia Year 2026, we are delighted to collaborate with Fairmont Mumbai for the launch of the Malaysia Food & Cultural Festival, starting 30th January and running until 8th February 2026.”

“We are excited to showcase the rich and diverse flavours of Malaysia, reflecting the vibrant cultural diversity of our country. We warmly invite Mumbaikars and guests from across India to join us at Fairmont Mumbai and experience the sumptuous cuisine of Malaysia”, she added.

Conceived as an elegant lunch & dinner buffet experience, the ten-day festival unfolds as a thoughtfully curated exploration of Malaysia’s diverse regional flavours. The evening begins with a gracious welcome of classic Malaysian refreshments such as Teh Ais Limau, setting the tone for a dining experience layered with warmth, gentle spice, and cultural nuance.

Traditional culinary elements, a festive yet refined ambience and carefully curated service details collectively create an experience that feels authentic and warmly inviting. Enhancing the sense of immersion, the Fairmont Mumbai team will be attired in Malaysian cultural dress, offering guests a subtle yet evocative connection to the spirit and hospitality of Malaysia.

The menu unfolds as a richly layered expression of Malaysia’s culinary heritage, presenting a refined selection of appetisers, beloved classics, and regional signatures. Guests may begin with classics such as Pandan Ayam succulent chicken delicately wrapped in fragrant pandan leaves alongside Udang Goreng, crisp fried prawns, and beloved vegetarian specialties including Bakwan Sayur and Tauhu Sumbat, served with a bold peanut and chilli dip.

A vibrant selection of salads highlights the freshness and balance intrinsic to Malaysian cooking, from Kerabu Ayam, a herb-forward chicken salad brightened with citrus, to the sweetly tangy Kerabu Udang. Vegetarian offerings such as Acar Jelatah bring refreshing contrast, combining crisp vegetables, pineapple, aromatic herbs, and lime.

The experience continues with comforting soups that reflect Malaysia’s deeply rooted food traditions, including Laksa Lemak, enriched with coconut milk, noodles, and fragrant spices, and Sup Ayam Bersama Kentang, a soothing chicken broth with tender young potatoes.

Main courses celebrate the cuisine’s signature depth and spice, showcasing slow-cooked and flavour-forward preparations such as Ayam Masak Berlado and Gulai Lemak Udang Dengan Rebung, alongside thoughtfully crafted vegetarian dishes like Rendang Tauhu and the homestyle favourite Fried Meehoon, a Malaysian village-style noodle dish.

The journey concludes on a sweet note with an exquisite array of signature desserts, from Cucur Badak, Kueh Sri Puteri Ayu, and Kuih Bakar, to the indulgent Serawa Durian, where warm durian and coconut cream are paired with glutinous rice an evocative finale that captures the soul of Malaysian dessert-making.

Complementing the culinary offerings, the festival will present a curated selection of iconic Malaysian beverages that reflect the country’s rich traditions and diverse flavour profiles. Highlights include the theatrically poured Teh Tarik, the refreshing cendol, and aromatic luwak coffee, collectively enhancing the sense of place and completing the immersive dining experience. The beverage programme will be further elevated with a series of bespoke cocktails inspired by Malaysian ingredients and rituals thoughtfully crafted to complement the menu.

More than a celebratory showcase, the Malaysian Food Festival at The Merchants reflects Fairmont Mumbai’s vision of positioning the restaurant as a destination for thoughtfully curated global collaborations where cuisine becomes a gateway to culture, storytelling, and shared experiences. Expanding beyond the plate, the festival offers guests the opportunity to engage with the visiting chefs and gain insight into their culinary philosophies, while traditional Malaysian dance performances during dinner add a vibrant cultural dimension that elevates the dining experience. Further extending this immersive journey, the festival also introduces Talk Brunch to Me: Malaysian Edit across two Sundays, refreshing the brunch offering with engaging conversations, cultural context, and a distinctive new experience for guests.