Mainland China tourists learn how to eat with hands in heartwarming video

Focus Malaysia

22-07-2025

WHY should tradition and culture be a barrier towards racial unity? Although humans crave the comforts of the tribe and all its rituals, we are still bound by the invisible thread of camaraderie that makes up the centrepiece of humanity.
Take it from a recent video, where several curious tourists from China could be seen learning how to eat with their hands from a patient Malay auntie.
It is a very heartwarming video, showcasing the exchange of culture in such a candid fashion.
Mungkin mudah untuk yang dah biasa. Bagusnya dia ajar cara makan nasi lemak pakai tangan.
Ni mesti dari China ni. Elok lah tu belajar makan pakai tangan 👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/2oNjsGLvh9
— kamaghul deghaman (@kamaghul) July 21, 2025
One of the tourists even praised the Malay auntie, saying that they were very clean when using their hands to eat their meals. 'Like us, we do until whole hand dirty,' she said.
But for those not in the know, eating with one's hand is not just a way of life. In Malaysia, eating with your hands is more than just a tradition. It is seen as a way to connect more deeply with the food.
Many believe that using your fingers enhances the overall dining experience by engaging more of the senses, especially taste and texture.
Typically, Malaysians eat with their right hand, as the left hand is traditionally viewed as unhygienic in Islamic practices, being used for personal cleansing.
The method involves mixing the food, usually with rice, and skillfully using the fingers to bring it to the mouth.
Most people rely on the thumb and first two fingers for this, while the other fingers stay curled in. In some cases, bread like roti canai is used to scoop up the food instead of the fingers.
This practice isn't exclusive to Malay culture. In Indian communities, eating with the hands is also common and is thought to aid digestion and make meals more enjoyable. —July 22, 2025
Main image: @kamaghul (X)