{
  "id": 17496031,
  "title": "Kota Baru's forgotten flavours take centre stage in Unesco bid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/kota-barus-forgotten-flavours-take-centre-stage-in-unesco-bid",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-31T23:30:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/11/1567904/kota-barus-forgotten-flavours-take-centre-stage-unesco-bid"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kota Baru, the capital of Kelantan, is gaining attention for reviving its forgotten culinary delights. A group of 20 friends from the Kota Baru Gastronomy Club are on a quest to uncover the state's underappreciated gastronomic treasures, with the ultimate aim of securing a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation. Led by founder Ariza Mohd Yusoff, the club is researching and cataloguing over 1,000 traditional Kelantanese dishes, including itik solo, kuih pinang kontang, and che banding.\n\nThe initiative has received support from the Kelantan hotel association, local hotel chefs, the state government, and the municipal council. The club's goal is not just to introduce these unique culinary creations to the international community but also to showcase the diversity of familiar dishes like nasi kerabu. Ariza believes that achieving UNESCO recognition could open doors for international visitors and create opportunities for local food entrepreneurs and communities.\n\nFellow Malaysian towns like Penang and Kuching are also vying for the prestigious culinary honor, with Penang reportedly considering Kuala Lumpur's George Town as a candidate. Kelantan, however, is seen as a cradle of Malay culture, with its cuisine reflecting centuries of history and cultural influences from Thailand, Sumatra, Riau-Lingga, and Champa.",
  "summary": "KOTA BARU: For the past four months, a group of 20 friends have been spending their days off combing the state capital’s wet markets, seeking out veteran traders and elderly residents who hold the recipes, memories and stories behind Kelantan’s lesser-known culinary treasures.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kota Baru aims for UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status.",
    "Club catalogs over 1,000 traditional Kelantanese dishes.",
    "Support from local government and hotel association."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}