Malaysian cuisine needs to get the international appreciation it deserves. The truth is, it’s delicious!
A blend of many delicious components, Malaysian cuisine’s influences include Chinese, Indian, and Malay.
In some ways, it’s like Indonesian food., The two countries share a lot of food items. (Warning: The debates on the source of a dish can get heated in this area – it is the passion of regional foodies.)
However, the moment you’re in Malaysia having a meal, you’ll be able to get rid of the past and think about where your next meal will be coming from and how to make it happen faster.
To help narrow your choices, Here are 40 of Malaysia’s most popular dishes, but in no particular order.
Mee goreng mamak
Mamak Mee Goreng.
Tourism Malaysia courtesy
It is an Indian Muslim dish in the whole package. Yellow noodles. Chicken or beef. Shrimp. Soy sauce, vegetables, and eggs. A dash of chili mixed into the mix to give an irresistible kick.
It sounds simple.
Unfortunately, it’s possible to recreate this at home, but it’s likely to be better than it tasted when you dined down at that grittier Malaysian street hawker.
Apam balik
This is the best Malaysian pancake.
Courtesy Yun Huang Yong/Creative Commons/Flickr
You’ve tasted Malaysian food once you awed your palate by enjoying this sweet dessert.
A breakfast-style treat that is mingled with the small package of an omelet. Apam balik is packed with many peanuts, sugar, and a few sprinkles of corn. It’s an ingredient that’s constantly being changed.
Nasi kerabu
Don’t let the rice with a blue color discourage you.
Courtesy Yun Huang Yong/Creative Commons/Flickr
If the rice’s blue color isn’t enough to entice you, the long lines of customers worldwide waiting to order this popular Kelantanese dish will.
In Kelantan, the State of Kelantan, located in northern Malaysia, Nasi kerabu is a nasi variety of na. Its attractive color comes from the telang flower, which is crushed before being mixed into the flour.
The dish of aquamarine is served with beans, sprouts, and fried coconut, followed by a drizzle of spicy buds made from fermented and seasoned fish sauce. You’ll use your hands to eat this dish in the traditional Kelantan tradition.
Ayam percik (chicken with percik sauce)
Delicious chicken.
Courtesy Alpha/Creative Commons/Flickr
KFC’s success across this region (and all over Asia) against other fast food chains will not surprise those familiar with the Ayam percik.
It’s barbecued chicken drenched with spicy chili, ginger, and garlic sauce blended with coconut milk. With just the right amount of percik sauce, this classic Malaysian street food has more flavor than anything the Colonel could produce.
Nasi lemak
Nasi lemak — the food of the nation.
Nasi lemak is frequently called Malaysia’s unofficial national dish.
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In essence, it’s rice that has been that is cooked with coconut milk. However, it’s the side dishes that are important.
Depending on where you’re in Malaysia, the food includes a range of dishes like peanuts, eggs that have been hard-boiled, vegetables, beef, lamb/chicken curry, seafood, and the sambal (chili-based sauce).
Nasi lemak is usually eaten as breakfast; however, nowadays, people order it at any time.
Roti john
A Muslim trader cooks the Roti John at the Ramadan marketplace located in Kuala Lumpur.
Whatever John is, it’s clear that he favored sandwiches made of eggs and minced meat grilled in the middle of thin bread, then drenched in an assortment of condiments.
Pick one of them: mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, ketchup, and chili sauce.
Rendang (beef, lamb, chicken, or beef)
It’s not a curry. Okay?
Courtesy Alpha/Creative Commons/Flickr
Although it is sometimes misinterpreted as curry, Malaysian food enthusiasts highlight that this large pot consisting of coconut milk and spices isn’t anything similar.
The main difference lies in how it’s cooked: slow-simmered (to allow the meat to absorb its spices) until the pink liquid completely disappears. A popular dish, especially during the festive season, Rendang can be found all over Malaysia.