Some brim with encouragement, while others – sarcastic, critical and soul-crushing – sting like cili padi to the eye.
But the 47-year-old chooses not to dwell on hate. For him, every pot of nasi lemak and every ladle of chicken curry, kung pao chicken, or lamb bak kut teh he serves is about love.
“I always remind myself that food should be a bridge that unites, not a wall that divides. If I give in to negative comments, it means I allow that wall to be built,” said Loh, who is popular known as “Uncle Joshua” and has more than 500,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok.
Hailing from Muar, Johor, Loh picked up his culinary skills from his mother before working in restaurants and hotels. But the pandemic five years ago changed everything: the restaurant he worked at had to close, forcing him to turn to his home kitchen.
From there, his “food diary” on social media was born. At first, his cooking videos were recorded in Mandarin. Over time, he gained the confidence to switch to Malay.
“The national language belongs to everyone. When I use Malay, people feel closer to me and understand my recipes,” he explained.
Food, a language of love
Among the dishes Loh has shared are asam pedas, keropok lekor, nasi lemak, kung pao chicken, and lamb bak kut teh, all adapted with halal ingredients.
His intention is simple: to ensure everyone, including Muslims, can prepare and enjoy a meal together.
“Sometimes it’s tough to find substitutes for certain ingredients, but I take that as a fun challenge. What matters most is that everyone can eat together,” he said.
Although Loh’s efforts receive wide support, there remain detractors who belittle him or question his sincerity. Still, he has made up his mind not to let their words dampen his spirit.
“I don’t cook to pick fights. I cook to share happiness. If some people don’t like it, that’s their right. But I won’t let hate destroy what’s beautiful about food.”
Beyond videos, Loh has kept more than 10 handwritten notebooks compiling thousands of recipes since 1998. To him, they are more than just a collection – they are a legacy for his children, and perhaps for future generations of Malaysians.
“I believe we need to be open to embracing the food of other cultures. Because one day, all this will become knowledge we can pass down: not just recipes, but also the values of respect and sharing,” he concluded.