Why late-night food has become a Malaysian way of life
Late-night suppers have become a common habit for many Malaysians. From busy professionals to shift workers, people often find themselves eating well past midnight. The reasons vary, but easy access to food and social routines play a big role in this trend.
For 25-year-old marketing executive Leon Lim, late-night meals are part of his social life. He frequently enjoys suppers at mamak restaurants while watching sports with friends. Similarly, 35-year-old engineer Mohd Sabri Abdul Halim links his late-night eating to work schedules, television, and catching up with friends.
Ahmad Hanifah, a 30-year-old from Kuala Lumpur, takes a balanced approach. He believes in moderation when it comes to these late suppers. Meanwhile, Dr Lim, a medical officer, admits to eating during night shifts not because of hunger but out of habit.
Grace Selva, a 28-year-old customer service worker, faces different challenges. During graveyard shifts, she eats more due to limited healthy food choices and the need to stay alert. Despite the habit being widespread, no specific studies have been conducted in Malaysia to assess the health impacts of late-night eating.
The culture of late-night eating remains deeply rooted in Malaysian routines. Easy food availability and social habits keep the practice alive. Without local research, however, the long-term effects on health stay unclear.
