Festival Cita Rasa Warisan @Kuala Lumpur 2025 ends on a high note, proving cultural heritage remains relevant

KUALA LUMPUR – The Festival Cita Rasa Warisan @Kuala Lumpur 2025 concluded in spectacular fashion today at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, marking the end of a five-day celebration that showcased Malaysia’s rich culinary, artistic and cultural traditions.

Held from Sept 12 in conjunction with the Malaysia Cultural Festival 2025, the event drew thousands of visitors from all walks of life, proving that heritage continues to resonate strongly with modern society.

National Heritage Department (JWN) director-general Mohamad Muda Bahadin hailed the festival as a resounding success, not only for its strong turnout but also for raising awareness on the preservation of Malaysia’s food, arts and cultural heritage.

“Alhamdulillah, this year’s programme has been very successful. We saw a huge response from the public, including youths and university students. The National Heritage food exhibition drew much attention, with visitors even attempting to touch the hyper-realistic food replicas despite signs indicating they were for display only,” he said.

He stressed that reviving traditional food as a national heritage is not merely for display purposes, but also to ensure younger generations appreciate Malaysia’s history, identity and cultural uniqueness.

Beyond food exhibitions, the festival’s main stage featured captivating traditional performances such as Randai, Mek Mulung and Dikir Barat, immersing the crowd in the sights, sounds and flavours of Malaysia under the theme “Rasa Negeri, Dan Budaya” (Taste of the States, Spirit of Culture).

This year’s edition also stood out for its diverse participation, with contributions from Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sabah and Sarawak communities. The presence of young people added vibrancy, proving that heritage is not only cherished by the older generation but continues to find relevance among today’s youth.

Following its Kuala Lumpur finale, JWN, supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), will carry the momentum forward with Festival Cita Rasa Warisan @IPT at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Penang in early October. The campus edition will feature traditional delicacies, youth-driven creativity, cultural performances and more interactive activities tailored for younger audiences.

“We hope initiatives like this will continue to elevate our heritage products, especially in arts, culture and food. They not only strengthen our love for national treasures but also have the potential to attract local and international tourists ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” Mohamad Muda said.

The Kuala Lumpur festival drew acclaim not just for attendance, but also for its impact in uniting communities through heritage. Over 30 culinary stalls offered authentic state-based dishes, from Lontong Darat, Lemang, Rendang Tok and Masak Lemak Itik in the peninsula, to Ambuyat, Linopot, Laksa Sarawak and Kolok Mee from Borneo. Visitors also flocked to traditional favourites such as Celorot, Cendol and Keropok Lekor.

One major highlight was Rasa Layan Kari: Sensasi Kari Malaysia, featuring 20 stalls dedicated to rich curry-based dishes. The iconic Kenduri Kari Malaysia 68 stole the show with a 68-foot-long curry, served free to more than 2,400 visitors in celebration of Malaysia’s 68th Merdeka anniversary.

The festival also emphasised education and engagement, with heritage quizzes, traditional food riddles and miniature craft workshops allowing visitors to create their own food replicas. Special culinary programmes such as “Ketuk-ketuk Senduk Mak Chef” with Chef Liza, “Masak Bersama Guru” with Chef Florence Tan, Dr Ekaterina Rashidin and Chef Yang Jamil, and “Sembang Santai – Aroma Nostalgia” with Chef Zam and Chef Arthur further enriched the experience.

Adding to the charm were appearances by popular social media influencers Liana Beep Beep, Fendi and Lipur Desa, alongside young talents Adik Mayah and Adik Haziq, who wowed crowds with their budding culinary skills.

With its comprehensive line-up of activities, Festival Cita Rasa Warisan @Kuala Lumpur 2025 proved to be more than just a food and cultural fair — it served as a unifying platform, an educational avenue, and a showcase of Malaysia’s heritage for the world stage.