‘Flying roti canai' wins over food lovers at Osaka expo

The Star

03-06-2025

OSAKA: The 'Flying Roti Canai' is not just being flipped into the air; it has soared to stardom at Expo 2025 Osaka, becoming a sensation at the Malaysia Pavilion.
With dough spinning through the air like edible art and the buttery aroma drawing crowds from across the globe, this humble flatbread is stealing the spotlight and appetites.
Some visitors are willing to queue for up to two hours just to get a taste of the roti canai, expertly hurled by Muhammad Muiz Ruzaini and Mohamad Zul Imran Zulkifle in a dazzling display of culinary acrobatics.
'Many have praised the deliciousness of the roti canai and given very positive feedback, both in terms of taste and our presentation.
'After eating, many would come up and say 'oishi' (delicious). Some even repeat it seven times,' said Muhammad Muiz, adding that most of the visitors were from Japan, South Korea and China.
The Kedahan said he did not expect to be selected as part of the Malaysian delegation to Expo 2025 Osaka, where he has been proudly showcasing the rich flavours of Malaysian cuisine on the world stage, Bernama reported.
Flipping fantastic: Muhammad Muiz in action at the Malaysia Pavilion Cafe during Expo 2025 Osaka which runs from April 13 to Oct 13. — Bernama
Each roti canai is served piping hot with chicken curry and dhal, all for 1,680 yen (RM49.82).
Daily sales average between 1,000 and 1,600 pieces, underscoring its growing popularity among visitors.
Roti canai is a pan-fried flatbread and a popular breakfast staple in Malaysia, made from a mixture of flour, water, salt, butter and eggs. The dough is skilfully stretched, flipped, and spun in the air to create a layered texture, crispy and flaky on the outside, but soft and fluffy on the inside.
In 2023, TasteAtlas, a global food database, ranked roti canai among the 'Top 100 Best Street Foods in the World'.
Mohamad Zul Imran, a roti canai maker from Penang, expressed hope that the growing popularity of the dish at the Expo would help elevate it on the global culinary map and inspire more tourists to visit Malaysia.
'I hope the Malaysia Pavilion roti canai becomes the number one dish at Expo 2025,' he said.
Japanese visitor Yoko Yoshinaga described the dish as 'sweet, with a unique texture and addictive qualities'.
'This is my second time having roti canai. I first saw it on X, and the unforgettable taste brought me back. I lined up again just to relive the experience,' she said.
Yoshinaga, who visited Malaysia 30 years ago, praised the nation's development, calling it a peaceful and modern country.
Another visitor, Hanako Sekimukai, who tried roti canai for the first time, said she was pleasantly surprised by its flavour.
'I've been to Malaysia before, but I never had the chance to try roti canai. The chicken curry served with it wasn't too spicy, which made it even more enjoyable,' she said, adding that the cultural performances at the pavilion brought back fond memories of her time in Malaysia.
Spanning 2,654.52sq m across three floors, the Malaysia Pavilion reflects the nation's diverse culture and dynamic economy.
Under the theme 'Weaving a Future in Harmony', the pavilion highlights Malaysia's commitment to a sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking future.