She is, after all, Malaysian, the mother of three says.

Fortunately for Koh, who is currently based in the UK, she gets her annual fix every time she is back in Malaysia, especially during the summer holidays.

The 45-year-old, who runs a parenting site, is also grateful that she is never too far away from a good cup of “teh tarik” or coconut water that is not from a box when she’s back home in Malaysia.

“But for me, what I miss most are really the small moments and details. Things you cannot buy or make,” Koh, or Laych Koh, as she is better known, told FMT.

For Koh, who moved to London in 2012, these small details include the dewy mornings; the sound of the “azan” or call to prayer; the healthy bushes of bougainvillea and hibiscus flowers; as well as the hustle and bustle of the pasar malam.

“I miss how everyone calls our elders and each other ‘uncle’ and ‘auntie’ or ‘kak’ and ‘abang’ or ‘poh-poh and ‘tok’. I love that we bring each other to the level of family.

“I also love how we sometimes call waiters and service staff ‘boss’.”

Similarly, Kumar Pillay and his wife, S Rukumani, who live in Perth, Australia, yearn for “sambal ikan bilis” and durians.

“My mouth still waters thinking of the nasi lemak wrapped in banana leaf with that spicy ikan bilis sambal and half a boiled egg.

“We used to have it often for breakfast. Add a hot cup of ‘teh tarik’ to the breakfast menu – it’s out of this world,” Kumar said.

Having migrated to Perth about 30 years ago, Kumar said they can still get “sambal ikan bilis” at selected outlets in Perth, but minus the authenticity.

The anchovies sold in Australia taste totally different. There’s no “oomph”, he said.

Kumar said the urge to eat durians also hits the couple often as they were both fond of the “king of fruits” before migrating to Australia in 1992.

That is why they try to coincide their Malaysian visits with the durian season so they can eat it to their hearts’ content, he said.

“Of course, we get the imported fruit in Perth but the taste somehow is different and they are pretty expensive.

“With the conversion rate, it costs as much as 10 times what you pay in Kuala Lumpur.”

For Dave Ananth, who migrated to New Zealand in 2008 and subsequently became a citizen, he finds himself often reminiscing about his experience in Sarawak and growing up in Port Dickson, in Negeri Sembilan.

Having served as a magistrate in Sarawak in the 1990s, the state is home to his fondest memories.

“Sarawak felt different from Peninsular Malaysia in many ways – the people were warm and welcoming, and the food was exotic and diverse,” the New Zealand Malaysian Business Association president said.

Ananth also recalled his schooling years in Port Dickson, labelling them as “one of the most cherished periods” in his life as he grew up in a truly multicultural environment.

His friends would visit each other’s homes without a second thought during Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Christmas or Deepavali.

He said that while New Zealand has given him a home, Malaysia will always be where his roots are firmly planted.

“While I appreciate the opportunities and lifestyle New Zealand offers, there’s a part of me that still holds Malaysia close, especially when I reminisce about the old times.

“That unique experiences that shaped my early years, makes Malaysians very versatile in any given environment,” he said.