KUCHING: Sarawak is once again in the international spotlight, this time appearing on No Taste Like Home, a television show hosted by Antoni Porowski, best known for his role as the food and wine expert on Netflix’s Queer Eye.
The documentary consists of six episodes, with the Malaysian episode serving as the finale. This particular episode features Henry Golding, the Malaysia-born British actor famous for his role in the hit film Crazy Rich Asians.
Before returning to Borneo to explore Iban culture, the episode begins with Porowski meeting Golding’s parents in Surrey, United Kingdom. They bond over an Iban meal prepared by Golding’s mother.
The episode then takes viewers to Batang Ai, where Golding explores his family’s roots. There, they meet Peter John Jaban, who serves as their guide throughout the journey.
The pair dives deeper into Golding’s Iban heritage, bonding over tattoos and more. Peter also treats them to a delicious dish of grilled ikan semah, prepared with ingredients harvested from the jungle, such as lemongrass, torch ginger and sour plum.
The duo then travels to the Pematoh longhouse, where they enjoy additional local delicacies like paku, midin, buah terung, asi pulut lulun, and more.
While at the longhouse, Golding’s relatives share stories of their family’s history, which helps Golding trace his ancestry back to his great-great-great-grandfather.
Next, they head to Kuching, where they meet local writer Karen Shepherd and sample a bowl of kolo mee and they also meet Maynard, a tuak entrepreneur.
As the episode nears its end, the duo visits Dona Drury Wee of the Sarawak Culinary Heritage Society, where they get hands-on in preparing pork pansuh.
In a heartwarming moment, Porowski arranges a surprise visit from Golding’s parents.
Golding reflects on how this journey has deepened his understanding of his family’s history and instilled pride in his heritage.
Quoting an interview with The Straits Times, Porowski shared, “As much as he feels the side of him that’s very Iban, being in that environment, introducing him to family members he’s never met before and hearing about these stories strengthened his identity.”
No Taste Like Home With Antoni Porowski is available on Disney+.
