TOP 10 Dishes in Malaysia you MUST try

Malaysia is the foodie’s paradise, it’s affordable and just AMAZING! The wide variety of food reflects the cultural diversity of the country, it’s a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian and many more.

Malaysian people are passionate about food, it’s part of the culture and food is EVERYWHERE, let’s see what are the best dishes you cannot miss when you’re traveling around Malaysia!

Nasi Lemak is a must!

Normally taken for breakfast but people order it at any time! Sambal sauce with onions, chilli, garlic, anchovies, lemongrass and tamarind enhances white rice cooked in coconut milk.

A good Nasi Lemak is always served with cucumber slices, crunchy peanuts, fried anchovies and a boiled egg! Traditionally, this dish is normally presented in a banana leaf! A delight!

2°) Rendang

Rendang is a spicy dish, especially eaten during the holiday seasons. Its particularity lies in the way it is cooked, a slow cooking for several hours that enhances the taste of its sauce and the tenderness of the meat.

The most popular version is beef rendang, but there are many variants with chicken or lamb.

3°) Char Kuey Teow

Char Kuey Teow is a popular spicy dish, one of Malaysian’s favorite hawker foods! It can be either wet or dry, with fried flat noodles served with shrimp, eggs, boiled soy sprouts, chive and light or dark soy sauce.

This dish is particularly famous in Penang.

4°) Roti Canai

Roti canai (pronounced cha-nai) is a fluffy loaf inside with a crispy exterior served with a variety of delicious curry and dhal dishes that you can eat it at any time of the day!

There are different types of roti: bawang (onion), telur (egg), pisang (banana) and many others.

5°) Banana Leaf

Native from South India, banana leaf rice is one of many types of popular dishes in Malaysia.

And as its name suggests, rice is served on a banana leaf with a range of incredibly tasty curries, pickles and papadom. Usually it’s a vegetarian dish, but you can add meat as a supplement.

Eat like a local only with your fingers and devour!

6°) Satay

Satay is simple and a typical Malaysian street food. These are pieces of barbecue meat (chicken, beef or mutton) marinated with a mixture of local spices lightly grilled to perfection, served with rice cubes.

You can eat it alone or dip it in the sweet and spicy peanut sauce that makes it delicious.

7°) Bak Kut Teh

Bak kut Teh is a Chinese soup of marinated pork ribs for hours in a herb broth with chinese cabbage, mushrooms or tofu, that can be eaten with a bowl of rice.

Whether you like it fleshy or light and herbal, bak kut teh will make you drool!

Klang is widely known to be the best place to eat a good Bak Kut Teh.

8°) Mee Goreng

Mee Goreng is a fried egg noodle dish, served with fried tofu, tomato wedges, prawns, bean sprouts and green onions. On the top of the dish you will find a spicy sauce with pieces of lime juice on the side.

Enjoy this local dish in all the mamaks of the country! A simple delight!

9°) Laksa

Laksa is a spicy soup of vermicelli and noodles. There are two main ways to cook: Laksa Curry and Laksa Assam.

Assam laksa is a fish soup made in a mixture of lemongrass and ginger, while the curry laksa is made with noodles cooked in a thick and tasty coconut milk curry. Some like it with fish, others shrimp.

10°) Nasi Kandar

If you want a Nasi Kandar, head to one of the Indian restaurants open 24/24.

You’ll get a plate of rice (white or flavoured) and the choice between a selection of curries and sides, which often includes fish, prawns, chicken, mutton, eggs and veggies.

Everything is laid out buffet style. You’ll be charged for what you eat.