Kuala Lampur, Aug. 28 -- As Malaysia celebrates its 68th Independence Day, we not only reflect on our nation's progress but also on what makes us uniquely Malaysian. Beyond language, ethnicity, and culture, there is a unifying place where all walks of life meet, eat, and talk: the mamak restaurant. A fusion of Indian-Muslim culinary traditions with local Malaysian influences, the mamak is more than just a place to grab a quick meal or enjoy late-night teh tarik. It is a social institution. But interestingly, from the perspective of microbiology and immunology, the mamak may also be doing something else: supporting our gut microbiota, the community of trillions of microorganisms that live in our intestines.

The relationship between mamak ...