Malaysian Independence Day Celebration Features Traditional Cuisine from 14 States

Kuala Lumpur is hosting the 'CirKLe Makan-Makan Merdeka 2026' event, a three-day celebration focused on Malaysian national identity through its rich culinary heritage. The main attraction is a collection of traditional dishes representing each of the country's 14 states, offering a diverse gastronomic experience.

The community event, held at The Campus in Ampang, operates daily from 11 a.m. to midnight. Its objective is to invigorate the Merdeka (Independence Day) celebrations by bringing together a variety of foods, artisan craft producers, and cultural performances. Jaja Anuar, co-founder of CirKLe, emphasized that local food diversity is a fundamental medium reflecting Malaysian harmony and identity, shaped across generations.

"When we started planning this Merdeka edition, it began with a simple question about the meaning of independence for us as Malaysians. The nation's identity is actually built through the simplest things around us, especially food and cultural heritage," Anuar stated. The event focuses on gathering people, sharing food, and appreciating the small elements that define Malaysians.

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When we started planning this Merdeka edition, it began with a simple question about the meaning of independence for us as Malaysians. The nation's identity is actually built through the simplest things around us, especially food and cultural heritage

This third edition, and CirKLe's largest to date, supports the culinary gathering by involving 40 local brands and seven artisan craft producers from various states, including Kelantan and Perak. The venue is divided into two main areas: one for culinary offerings and another for local lifestyle brands, featuring nearly 70 booths in total. Interactive activities are scheduled throughout the three days, including art and craft workshops, traditional cultural performances, and live cooking demonstrations.

CirKLe anticipates attracting up to 80,000 visitors over the event's duration, aiming to match the attendance record set during a previous Raya celebration. Based on positive feedback from entrepreneurs and participants, CirKLe's management is considering expanding the community event to new locations in the future.

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We are targeting up to 80,000 visitors throughout the three days of the event, thus repeating the record attendance achieved during the previous Raya celebration