Name: Toni Valero Ruiz
Home Country: Spain
Job/Industry: Head chef, Ohla Tapas Bar
Other countries you have lived in: United Kingdom
What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here?
I came here six months ago to explore Asia. In my profession it is very important to travel around and get to know different cultures, work in many restaurants, and learn how other people cook.
What do you like and dislike about living here?
I love the option of eating all day here, and especially enjoy the street food variety. I’m not a huge fan of how the city is still a little hesitant about the fine dining culture. It’s about eating not just to feed yourself, but to appreciate the art behind the food. I think KL needs a few more years before it can compare itself to other cities in this respect.
Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
Being in this line of work – relaxing! I’m usually so tired from working long hours all week, so just getting to enjoy some nice food, listening to music and chilling at home with a bottle of wine is great. I also love discovering the city and eating more local food.
Describe a memorable eating experience you have had here.
Every time I get to sample some street food, it’s a great experience. To be able to sample so many flavours from just one meal or dish is really amazing. I think that is the main difference between European nations and Malaysia – being able to gain so much from one part of the street food culture. I hope to see more fine dining Malaysian restaurants in the future though.
What do you miss about your home country?
I miss the simple things – walking down a street, sitting on a terrace at a bar with a glass of wine and some tapas. That is a privilege that is difficult to get here. Our culture is totally different from Malaysia, so every minute here is another way to live. I also miss the beaches in La Costa Brava, drinking some beers in El Born with my friends, and just being in Barcelona.
What advice would you give to a new expat?
I’d recommend getting to know the locals and really living life like one. There’s not much point in going halfway across the world to mix with just expats. You can learn so much more by understanding about the different cultures in the country.
How long do you plan to stay in Malaysia? Where would you like to go next, and why?
Actually, I don’t have any plans to move in the near future. I’m enjoying my time here at Ohla Tapas so I think I’ll be able to stay in Malaysia for a long time.
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