Alia Ali - Mashed

With Us Since

2023

Location

Langkawi, Malaysia

School

University of South Australia

Expertise

Southeast Asian cuisines, Home cooking, Asian food history

Alia owns a pair of cooking chopsticks used and autographed by renowned chef Martin Yan.
She is currently working on several research projects about the foodways of the Nusantara region.
She almost always has a fermentation project going on—she experiments often with Malaysian jungle produce.

Experience

Alia is a translator and food writer who has worked in Malaysian media—focusing largely on food—for over 15 years. She got her start at Malaysia's first dedicated food website, FriedChillies, and later at Poskod.MY. During the COVID lockdowns, she co-founded Periuk, a website focusing on Malaysian home cooking. She has contributed to Serious Eats, sharing various Southeast Asian recipes, including soups, dumplings, and seafood. Additionally, Alia has authored articles for Eater and Whetstone Magazine. She joined Static Media in June 2023, writing for the Daily Meal news team, and is currently a contributor for Mashed.

Education

Alia earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of South Australia.

Mashed Editorial Policies

Mashed’s industry-leading coverage is created by qualified and experienced writers, and is reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure everything is accurate and timely. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.

Our mission is to inform and engage our readers, telling them things they need to know, things they want to know, and things they didn't know they wanted to know about food. We strive to always provide a well-rounded reading experience, whether that’s the news of the day or a new original recipe you can try making at home. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our editorial team constantly reviews and updates articles as necessary. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Alia Ali

Restaurants By Alia Ali

What You Won't See Italians Doing With Pasta At Dinner

If you're at an authentic Italian restaurant, here's what you won't see Italians doing with pasta at dinner — and why this habit matters more than you think.
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Tips By Alia Ali

The Easy Way To Tame Spicy Jalapeños Without Ruining Their Flavor

If you want to appreciate the flavor of a jalapeño, sometimes it helps to remove some of the heat. Luckily, there's a simple hack that makes it easy to do.
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Kitchen Tools By Alia Ali

The Common Kitchen Item Anthony Bourdain Said Home Cooks Waste Money On

A matching set of this kitchen staple might look great on your counter — but Anthony Bourdain said that it's usually just money down the drain.
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Facts By Alia Ali

You're Not Eating Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Without These Specific Ingredients

Making a pizza in true Neapolitan style is more than appearances and technique. If you want the real deal, these regional, time-honored ingredients are a must.
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Celebs By Alia Ali

Anthony Bourdain's 3 Food Capitals Every Foodie Should Know

Anthony Bourdain's travel advice continues to resonate with people. Of all the places he explored, these are his top picks for the world's food destinations.
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Grilling And Smoking By Alia Ali

How To Get A Smoky Flavor Out Of Your Propane Grill

Some grilling enthusiasts might tell you that a propane grill can never match the smoky flavor of a charcoal grill, but there is a way. Here's how.
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Celebs By Alia Ali

The 3 Celebrity Chef Recipes Taylor Swift Said She'll Make 'For Life'

Taylor Swift picks up and tries out recipes from celebrity chefs from time to time, and these are the three that she plans to make for life.
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McDonald's By Alia Ali

McDonald's South Korea Has A Burger With 2 Patties You Won't See In The US

Move over Big Mac! McDonald's in South Korea has a two-patty burger that combines local flavors and food trends with the chain's patented fast food touch.
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