Unusual Japanese mains include combinations such as foie gras, kale, edamame and pumpkin seeds, or Texas quail, yellow beans, Chinese artichokes, curry and quail egg.

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Fortunately four to five meals per day of char kwey tiaw (fried noodles in soy sauce with egg and various additions), asam laksa (Penang's famous, indescribably good curry noodle soup), rojak (fruit and veggie salad in a sweet dark shrimp paste) and much, much more, goes down a lot easier than heavier Western foods.

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