In contrast to fellow Asian capitals Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo, Seoul is regarded by many expatriates in South Korea as a food desert of sorts for quality international cuisine.

Now, the city is taking one cautious step closer to offering world taste buds food that satisfies. For the first time ever, foodies here will have the chance to taste authentic Malaysian cuisine at Malaysian restaurants headed up by Malaysian chefs.

The Malaysian Embassy’s trade arm is now flexing its commercial expertise by helping entrepreneurs open two Malaysian restaurants in Seoul.

Both are north of the Hangang River: Kitchen Nyonya in Itaewon and Restoran Mentari in Hongji-dong offer authentic Malaysian favorites at reasonable prices.

“What we did was to provide advice and assistance to them,” said Rashid Mohd. Zain, trade commissioner at the embassy’s Trade and Investment Center in South Korea. “For example, we assisted them in how to bring the needed Malaysian ingredients here to South Korea.”

That is no easy task. South Korea is regarded by foreign restaurant owners as a notoriously difficult country in which to import the food stuffs, spices and other ingredients needed in many dishes.

What was especially difficult was ensuring that the ingredients would conform to the strictures of Halal cooking, said Mentari head chef Baha Azman Nor. Mentari’s menu includes chicken satay, a signature Malay dish, as well as favorites such as sopia, roti baker and rojak buah.

For more information about Kitchen Nyonya, check out www.kitchnyonya.com or call (02) 564-1001; and for information about Restoran Mentari, check out www.mentari.co.kr or call (02) 396-2800.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)