KUALA LUMPUR – A Croatian-based food encyclopedia, TasteAtlas, recently released a new ranking for the Top 100 Best Sandwiches in the World, triggering an impassioned argument among Malaysian and Singaporean netizens on the country of origin for the much-loved kaya toast.
The ranking, published on March 11, positions Kaya Toast at 42 with a rating of 4.2 out of 5.0. Surprisingly, the kaya toast was paired with the Singaporean flag, drawing ire among Malaysian online users who insist that kaya toast originated in Malaysia.
“Kaya is made from coconut, does Singapore have coconut tree production?” questions @LengHazRain on the Facebook page of the satire profile MGAG.
“Yes, the kaya toast is made locally in Singapore from their vast pandan fields, fresh farm eggs, and extensive coconut plantations,” @FaizalSobri said.
Some argue that Singaporean kaya toast lacks the flavour complexity found in its Malaysian counterpart.
“But Singapore Kaya Toast is still bland compared to the Malaysian one…” remarks @AlifNizam.
“I’ve had SG kaya toast before, their roti size shrinks by 3.5 times,” adds @PuaZhanFeng.
Singaporean netizens countered the Malaysian neighbours’ assertions, claiming kaya toast originated in Singapore and citing historical references.
“Kaya was invented in Singapore… and then brought all the way up to Perak, Penang, Johor, KL, and then to Hainan. Everyone knows that,” asserts @BhairavaŚivam.
Despite the ongoing debate, some online users from both sides urge for harmony, highlighting the shared histories of both nations.
“Singapore and Malaysia were once the same country. It’s silly to argue over food origins…” suggests @Ieekuanyew.
“We are happy people. Please relax. We are the 5th happiest people… so chill, okay? If they want to claim it, shake hands and take it. We love you,” shares @Bavindh PV.
While the dispute rages on social media, the official TasteAtlas website describes kaya toast as both a Malaysian and Singaporean dish.
“Kaya toast is a popular Malaysian and Singaporean breakfast consisting of two slices of toasted bread filled with kaya, a traditional spread made with sugar, eggs, coconut milk, and pandan flavouring,” the site said.
In September 2023, TasteAtlas’ list of The Best Breads in the World ranked Malaysia’s roti canai as the highest, with a score of 4.9, while Singapore’s roti prata came in 12th, with a rating score of 4.6.
This list was also a bone of contention among Malaysians, who claimed that both dishes came from the country and not Singapore. – March 14, 2024