(Source: Tengku Zafrul Aziz | YouTube)
At the Malaysia Pavilion in Expo 2025 Osaka the other week, something that’s ordinary for us Malaysians turned into a sensational, sold-out daily blockbuster. We’re talking roti canai, that fluffy, layered flatbread we’re accustomed to enjoying for less than RM2 at our local mamaks. But over in Japan, visitors are lining up for hours, paying a jaw-dropping RM50 for just one piece of that beloved breakfast staple. Yes, you read that right – RM50 for roti canai AND a 2-hour queue!
What is it that turns a humble roti canai into such a sensation abroad? For one, there is the “flying roti canai” performance at the pavilion. Skilled chefs, Muhammad Muiz Ruzaini from Kedah and Mohamad Zul Imran Zulkifle from Penang handle the dough with artistry as they flip and stretch it high into the air. The aroma of buttery layering fills the air and it is a show viewers cannot resist. Visitors, many from Japan and also South Korea and China, wait patiently for up to 2 hours for a taste of this edible spectacle.
1,500 pieces sold daily!
This was shared by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz who attended the event. According to Tengku Zafrul, 1,500 pieces of roti canai would be sold everyday at the expo.
“This is proof that Malaysian dishes are in high demand and have found a place in the hearts of the international community.
Congratulations to the Malaysia Pavilion culinary team for consistently showcasing the taste of Malaysia on the world stage. Your efforts are truly appreciated!”
Let’s do the math for some serious wow factor. At RM50 per serving and 1,500 pieces flying off the table every single day, the vendor is pulling in around RM75,000 daily!
(Source: Chef Muhammad Muiz Ruzaini demonstrating ‘the flying roti canai’ – Bernama)
Each serving comes with chicken curry and dhal, presented in the same irresistible package our local stalls know how to deliver. The Malaysia Pavilion is more than food, it’s also sharing culture, architecture, and Malaysian vibes until the expo ends on October 13, 2025.
For Japanese visitors, the experience is delight with every bite. Some found the roti canai “sweet, uniquely textured and addictive”. One visitor, Yoko Yoshinaga, confessed she had to join the queue again after falling in love with the taste.
So here’s the heart of it: in Osaka a simple roti canai has become a star. What’s mundane at home became extraordinary overseas because it’s done with flair, evokes culture, and tastes undeniably good. If someone offered you RM50 for a piece, would you bite too? Let’s be honest, we might wait in line for flavors that remind us of home, performed with skill that turns tradition into art.
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