Where to Start with Ping Coombes
Ping Coombes is a Malaysian-born chef and cookbook author who grew up in Ipoh, Malaysia, inspired by her mother’s cooking. She won BBC MasterChef in 2014 by stunning the judges with food rooted in her Malaysian Chinese heritage, and later became the first double MasterChef champion by winning Champion of Champions in 2022. Her debut cookbook, Malaysia: Recipes from a Family Kitchen (2016), is a personal collection of over 100 family recipes that cover the full range of Malaysian home cooking, from roti canai and nasi lemak to char kway teow and Hainanese chicken rice. Her second book, Rice (2024), is a celebration of rice-based dishes from Malaysia and its neighboring countries. Coombes has become one of the most recognized ambassadors for Malaysian food in the UK, championing the cuisine through television, writing, and cooking events.
Start here
Malaysia: Recipes from a Family Kitchen
Ping Coombes · 256 pages · 2016 · Easy
Themes: Malaysian cuisine, home cooking, family recipes, beginner-friendly, Chinese-Malaysian food
The debut cookbook from Ping Coombes, who won BBC MasterChef in 2014 and later became the first double MasterChef Champion by winning Champion of Champions in 2022. Growing up in Ipoh, Malaysia, Coombes was inspired by her mother’s cooking, and this book is a personal collection of over 100 family recipes that capture the flavors of her childhood.
Why Start Here
This is Coombes’ first book and the most personal expression of her cooking. She writes with the warmth of someone sharing family recipes at the kitchen table. The book covers the foundational Malaysian dishes, including roti canai, nasi lemak, beef rendang, and laksa, alongside everyday family meals like Chinese-style stir-fries, sambals, and curries.
The Chinese-Malaysian perspective is a strength here. Coombes grew up in a Chinese-Malaysian household, so the book naturally covers the Chinese-influenced side of Malaysian cooking that other books sometimes skip: wonton noodles, char kway teow, Hainanese chicken rice, and a range of quick stir-fries that work perfectly for weeknight dinners. She also includes foundational recipes for Malaysian pastes and sauces.
What to Expect
A 256-page hardcover with photography that captures both the food and the Malaysian landscape. The recipes are clearly written and most are straightforward enough for a confident beginner. The book includes sections on essential Malaysian pastes and sauces, making it easy to build up your foundational skills. The tone is personal and encouraging throughout, making this an excellent companion for anyone taking their first steps into Malaysian cooking.