If you travel to Malaysia, these are the MUST TRY foods you should eat!
Malaysians just love to eat and we don't blame them. We keep coming back to Malaysia on what seems like an annual food pilgrimage and we are still hungry for more. We found that food is truly in the hearts and minds of the locals. So much so that you'll probably hear this greeting "makan makan" on a daily basis - which simply means "Have you eaten?"
Stay in Malaysia long enough and you'll also be asking this same question to yourself and your travel companions everyday (at least 10 times a day) as you discover countless Ramadan bazaars, street food markets, mamak shops, late night burger joints, and the stinky (but yet intriguing durian stalls).
So which one of these dishes will YOU try? If you haven't eaten at least one of these dishes on our list (or at least gained an extra kilo by the end of your trip) then have you really travelled to Malaysia?
1. Sarawak Laksa - Our Favourite Dish
Throughout Malaysia you will encounter many variations of laksa but you'll be hard-pressed to find any better than this. The late Anthony Bourdain once described this dish as "Breakfast of the Gods" and we wholeheartedly agree.
Made from vermicelli noodles, prawns, shredded omelette, shredded chicken, beansprouts, bechalan paste, garlic, tamarind, lemongrass, fresh coriander, lime and coconut milk.
To really appreciate the authenticity of this dish, you will have to travel East, to the island of Borneo and as the name suggests, to the state of Sarawak.
Best spots for Sarawak Laksa?
Choon Hui Cafe - Kuching, Sarawak (made famous by Anthony Bourdain in his TV series "Parts Unknown"
Chong Choon Cafe - Kuching, Sarawak
Don't forget to check out our YouTube video for our first time experience:
2. Char Kway Teow - Stir Fried Flat Noodles
Char Kway Teow is a staple dish in Malaysian cuisine and we found that this dish is synonymous with Penang street food culture. You can find it literally everywhere in this state, in particular around the small laneways of George Town - Malaysia's unofficial food capital and this dish being the unofficial national dish.
It is usually cooked in huge woks and often with a blaze of fire (just for attracting passers by).
The word "char" comes from the Hokkien language meaning "stir fried' and "kway teow" meaning flat noodles. Usually served with prawns, bean sprouts, blood cockles, soy sauce and additional spices. Simple and affordable. A definite favourite of ours.
3. Banana Leaf Curry
Due to the Malaysia being a country that lives in harmony with many different cultures, you will find an array of Indian cuisine all around Malaysia.
The banana leaf curry originates from South India. The traditional way of serving this dish is to add all of the ingredients onto a banana leaf. It is common to have a selection of individual dishes from vegetables, pickles, rice, chillies and meats. You will also find vegetarian options.
If you want to act like a local, this dish is meant to be eaten with your bare hands. If you find this overwhelming, always ask a local and they will always be happy to help. Just make sure to alway use your left hand. You can also ask them why haha.
There is also another rule when eating a banana leaf and that is what to do with the leaf when you have finished your meal. Fold the leaf towards you and this is a sign that you enjoyed it OR fold the leaf away if you think your meal was under satisfactory. Honestly we wouldn't know when that would ever occur - you just can't go wrong with this dish.
4. Ramly Burger - Malaysia's favourite burger!
The Ramly burger originated in 1979 by Ramly Monkin. These are frozen meat patties in a choice of chicken, pork and beef and used to create the beloved "Ramly Special" burger by thousands of street food vendors all over the country.
What makes these burgers "special" is the Ramly patties being wrapped in egg along with a cheese slice, Worcester sauce and Maggi seasoning.
The burger is served with lettuce, a soft bun and tomato ketchup/mayonnaise.
Even though egg is meant to lock in all of juices and flavours, you will undeniably end up with everything down your clothes and to be honest that is how it should be enjoyed!
The Ramly special burger is a cure to those late night food cravings. A staple of Malaysian street food and for $1 you will not be disappointed.
There's even rumours that you can find a Ramly burger in London!
5. Malaysian Kuih - Sweet and Savoury Desserts
Malaysian kuih are diverse and plentiful. The word "kuih" means a bite-sized snack or dessert and it is commonly found in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. They can vary from cookies, steamed buns, biscuits, rice cakes and pastries. They are often bite sized but one bite is never enough.
Some states have their own unique kuih with the northern states commonly serving sweet and the southern states serving savoury.
It is common to eat kuih during festivities such as Hari Raya and the Chinese new year. Our favourite kuih is definitely seri muka and tepung pelita. They both contain pandan leaf, gula melaka and cocunut milk - which are 3 common ingredients in creating sweet Malaysian kuih.
You can watch us make our own kuih in this video:
6. Durian
We like to compare this stinky fruit to Marmite. You will either love it or hate it.
This fruit often creates polarising opinions. Some people like the taste and describe it as addictive and others hate the taste comparing durian to eating dirty old socks (amongst other things).
The smell of durian is so distinctive that it has been banned from public transport but on the flip side, it has also made finding a durian stall extremely easy haha.
Whatever side of the fence you land on, you just have to give durian a go whilst in Malaysia. There are many varieties to choose from - the most expensive and sought after being the Musang King.
Watch our verdict in this video:
7. Roti - Round Flatbread
Roti is a an Indian influenced flatbread and in Malaysia this will be your everyday breakfast option with a twist.
There are countless variations of roti with roti canai being our favourite. "Roti" means bread and "canai" means "to roll thinly". Dough balls are prepared and manoeuvred by hand until they are thinly spread over a hot griddle. This can actually be a spectacle in itself. If you ask for roti tissue - you won't believe your eyes!
Any mammak shop (local open-air eateries) will serve roti every morning and you will always get a choice of curry sauce to dip your roti into.
No roti would be complete without washing it down with teh tarik (pulled tea). Again watching the vendors prepare this sweet tea drink is a sight to behold and it tastes like pure heaven (we wish we had a picture but this picture of Justina in her element will do).
8. Lok Lok
Lok-lok is a series of individual foods which are served on skewers and the options are plentiful. You can buy fish on a skewer, vegetables on a skewer, meat on a skewer, dumplings on a skewer....well you get the idea.
You start the process by grabbing a metal dish and selecting whatever takes your fancy. Each skewer is colour coded with each colour referring to different prices.
You then take your plate to the designated chef and you will be asked whether you want your food steamed or fried. Go grab a seat and wait for your food to be cooked. Once your food has arrived add a large dollop of satay sauce as each table will offer that. You may also find that one round is not enough and you'll go for the second one! We usually like to pair our food with some cold beer. Perfect way to end your day of explorations!
Watch our Jalan Alor night market video here:
9. Kolo Mee - Dry Noodles with Pork
This Sarawakian dish is beautiful, light and can be eaten morning, noon and even night.
This dry egg noodle dish is cooked in garlic oil and topped with sliced BBQ pork, minced pork, shallots, fried onions and a vinegar dressing.
You will definitely need to travel to Kuching to find some of the best kolo mee around.
Best spot in Kuala Lumpur?
Wong Ah Wah Restaurant - Jalan Alor, Kuala lumpur
10. Cendol
This iced sweet dessert is made up from jellied like worms i.e rice flour along with coconut milk and palm sugar. All ingredients are served on a bed of shaved ice. It's the most perfect way to cool down on a blazing hot day in Malaysia.
Cendol is quite prominent around south-east Asia and you will find many food establishments claiming that they offer "the best cendol in the world". We found our favourite in Taiping and you will definitely have to join a queue to get your hands on this delicious sweet dessert.
Best spots for cendol?
Ansari Famous Cendol - Taiping, Perak
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul - George Town, Penang
11. Nasi Lemak - The National Dish
Nasi lemak in Malay stands for "rice in cream" and is often referred to as the national dish of Malaysia.
So what makes this dish so creamy and dreamy? The rice is actually cooked in cocunut milk, along with these main ingredients: small anchovies, roasted peanuts, egg, cucumber slices and sambal sauce (hot chillies). On some occasions you will also have the option of fried chicken or even fish.
Considered as a breakfast dish but due to the popularity you can find nasi lemak being served throughout the day. If you are lucky, you may even be served nasi lemak in the most traditional way which is in a newspaper or a banana leaf.
12. Nasi Ganja - Addictive Rice
Nasi Ganja might sound risqué but rest assured that eating this dish will not land you in handcuffs. Nasi Ganja or "cannabis rice' has garnered its name and reputation from just how addictive it is.
Succulent spicy chicken, sliced cucumber and egg served on a bed of rice with the most mouth watering gravy / curry sauce.
The original branch in Ipoh has been serving Nasi Ganja since the 1956. You will have to arrive early and form an orderly queue but definitely worth the hype.
Best spot for Nasi Ganja?
Kedai Kopi Yong Suan - Ipoh, Perak
Extra
Don't forget to also try these dishes:
Chicken Satay - marinated chicken on sticks
Murtabak - spicy folded omelette pancake with bits of vegetables
Apam Balik - sweet turnover pancake filled with peanuts
Ayam Percik - Malaysia roasted spiced chicken
Nasi Kerabu - Kelantanese dish with distinctive blue rice
Rendang - Indonesian-Malaysian spicy chicken stew
Hainanese Chicken & Rice
Kaya Toast with Half-Boiled Eggs - A popular breakfast dish best served with kopi (coffee)
Mee Goreng - fried noodles
Nasi Goreng - fried rice
Ais Kacang - bean ice dessert
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