It’s said that in Malaysia, that if you haven’t gained weight, you haven’t really visited the country. Supposedly, you should eat six meals a day to accomplish such a feat. But all that munching does mean you have to digest the food somehow, like perhaps going for a walk.

A good way to go is sightseeing. A better way to go is to visit an air-conditioned museum, focusing on Malaysian culture. The best way to go is to the Wonderfood Museum – an awesome showcase of Malaysian cuisine, exploring the influences of the diverse ethnic influences throughout history.

The Wonderfood Museum combines culture, history, and art in a way that is relatable to most people – through food, dining, and eating culture. With displays larger than life, it’s a standout addition to your itinerary, and also your Facebook and Insta.

The Museum spans two floors; on the ground floor, you can survey wax replicas of the most famous Malaysian dishes, sweet and savoury, meals and snacks – you name it, it’s there. They also display foods by ethnic groups, and by the common time of day it’s consumed.

Plenty of huge-scale dishes allow for amazing photo opportunities, as well as more hands-on options if you want to imitate the skilful chefs that dedicate their lives to making good food. All throughout the exhibition is plenty of explanations as to how Malaysian food came to be one of the most diverse and colourful cuisines in the world, provided in multiple languages.

Upstairs, there’s more information on more general foods, such as trends around the world, as well as factoids and titbits. Everywhere you look is an eyeful of delicious in all colours. This can easily consume one to two hours of your time, and as the displays are larger than life, it’s also great for families with young children, who’ll be enraptured by the sights.

To be truthful, it’s not a large museum, and some exhibits probably need to undergo some serious deep-cleaning. But if you’re a foodie with a little time to spare, this is a must-go. Only a few minutes from the Clan Jetties and the tourist information centre, it makes for an easy place to stop by, especially after breakfast at the Sri Weld Food Court!

Wonderfood Museum
49, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Mon-Sun 9am-6pm
Adults RM25; children RM15
Malaysian ID Holders: Adults RM15; children RM10