The “Flying Roti Canai” is stealing the show at the Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan! Local newswire agency, Bernama reported that visitors have been happily queuing for up to two hours just to watch the lively performance of the dough being spun, tossed, and flipped high into the air, all before getting a taste of Malaysia’s iconic flatbread.

The crowd-pleasing act is led by Muhammad Muiz Ruzaini from Kedah and Mohamad Zul Imran Zulkifle from Penang. Their skills have turned the simple act of making roti canai into an entertaining spectacle that draws applause and attention from an international audience.

Muiz shared that he never expected to be chosen to represent Malaysia at the expo but feels proud to be part of the team. The positive reactions from visitors have made the experience even more meaningful. “After they eat, many come up and say ‘oishii’, some even repeat it seven times,” he said with a smile. Most of the visitors, he noted, are from Japan, South Korea, and China.

For Zul, the opportunity goes beyond just preparing food. He hopes the buzz around roti canai will help boost awareness of Malaysian cuisine around the world and even inspire more tourists to visit. “I hope the Malaysia Pavilion’s roti canai becomes the number one dish at Expo 2025,” he said.

Each plate of roti canai, served with chicken curry and dhal, is priced at 1,680 yen (around RM50). Despite the premium price, demand is sky-high with daily sales reaching between 1,000 and 1,600 pieces. The Malaysia Pavilion’s food court has been a hive of activity, with visitors also enjoying other Malaysian favourites like nasi lemak, chicken satay, roti jala, mee goreng, and nasi goreng, all giving international guests a true taste of homegrown flavours.