What is Malaysian food? 12 Popular Malaysian dishes to try!
Malaysia has a hugely varied food culture, resulting in the fantastic amalgamation of dishes you might be familiar with. Malaysian food hasn’t received the same worldwide reputation as its neighbours. But, Malaysian dishes are no less rich and tasty.
We’ve both visited Malaysia and have enjoyed exploring its major cities and tourist spots, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, and George Town - to name a few. And each time, we’ve been blown away by the food there. Malaysian dishes have become staples in our home cooking and favourites when we travel.
Malaysian street food is equally impressive, providing a variety that can’t be beaten. Rich curries, rice and noodle dishes as well as desserts that provide the perfect touch of sweetness.
You might be surprised what Malaysian cuisine has to offer.
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What Makes Malaysian Food Special?
Malaysia is a very diverse country, with many different ethnic groups. It's a bit of a melting pot of Malay, Indian, Chinese and Indonesian influences. It also draws inspiration from neighbouring countries and from its history with Europe.
This diversity results in flavoursome and different takes on some well-known recipes.
Popular Malaysian dishes to try
Malaysian food is one of the most flavoursome and interesting foods in Asia. Here are some of our favourites:
Nasi Lemak
A dish that is found literally everywhere in Malaysia, Nasi Lemak is convenient and tasty. We’ve never had a bad experience ordering this.
Nasi Lemak is a popular breakfast dish consisting of aromatic rice cooked in coconut milk. The dish typically includes sambal (a spicy chilli paste), along with a boiled egg, peanuts, cucumber slices, fried chicken and / or rendang. You’ll sometimes find it wrapped in banana leaves for an authentic touch. And we love the small pan-fried fish that some places add!
This dish is incredibly customisable. You can find it in its simplest form and some more elaborate takes on it.
Beef Rendang
This might be one of Malaysia’s most well-known dishes, and it’s an absolute knock-out! Soft and tender slow-cooked beef in a spicy curry sauce, it’s nothing if not a crowd please.
This Malaysian dish is a dry curry or stew cooked with coconut, offering a unique texture and intense flavour profile. Rendang is traditionally made with Kerisik, a type of toasted coconut butter, instead of the more common coconut milk. Because of this, it has a special flavour profile and is one of our favourite curries.
Mee Goreng
A stir-fried noodle dish that we can’t get enough of, Mee Goreng is a dish you shouldn’t leave Malaysia without trying. The noodles come in many flavours and varieties. We believe mee goreng should be equal parts sweet and salty, with tender meat or seafood to go with it! However, there is no such thing as the best and most authentic tasting Mee Goreng. This is because flavours can vary so widely depending on region and personal preferences.
You’ll typically find all sorts of veggies added to this one - beansprouts, onions, carrots, you name it! - which add a lovely crunch to the chewy noodles.
Air Mata Kucing
This is one of the most well-known drinks in Malaysia, made with luo han guo (monk fruits), sweet dried longan, and winter melon. It’s a natural herbal drink that is incredibly refreshing and popular during hot and humid months. Its abundance of fruits gives it a natural sweetness and it is commonly thought to have cooling properties.
In the markets of Kuala Lumpur, you’ll find this sugary beverage draws a large crowd.
Apam Balik
Apam balik is a crispy and fluffy pancake. It is filled with a sweet filling of roasted peanuts, creamed sweet corn, sugar, and butter. It’s a delicious dessert that reminds us a lot of Korean Hotteok crossed with a more traditional pancake.
It’s a great snack that’s well worth the stop at a Malaysian street vendor, or you can even make them at home - it’s easy!
Malaysian Chicken Curry
From Malaysian curry to beef rendang, Malaysia has some of the best curries in the world (in our opinion, anyway). There are a few types of Malaysian chicken curries: kari ayam, gulai ayam, and devil chicken curry. But it’s kari ayam curry that holds the top spot on our list.
Soft pieces of chicken and an assortment of aromatic flavours make up kari ayam. It has quickly become our go-to curry. Luckily, it’s easy to make at home.
Nasi Kandar
Originally from Penang, Nasi Kandar is now loved throughout Malaysia. It’s essentially a pile of steamed rice, accompanied by various types of curries and gravies. And an assortment of sides to enjoy!
The dish itself is influenced by Indian cuisine, with pilau or biryani. It is usually quite spicy and is often accompanied by a variety of side dishes such as okra, fried chicken or hard-boiled eggs.
The word “kandar” reflects the dishes origins. It refers to the bamboo pole used to carry large containers of the dish by Northern Indian vendors in Malaysia.
Ayam Masak Merah
Literally translated as “chicken cooked red”, ayam masak merah is a delicious tomato-based chicken dish. Malaysia’s holy trinity of spices - cinnamon, star anise, cloves and cardamom - makes up the dish. It’s rich in flavour and delicious.
Despite its deep red sauce, ayam masak merah is actually quite a mild dish, by Malaysia’s standards - although this can vary depending on recipe. The chicken is traditionally cooked bone-in and skin-on for the juiciest flavour. If you’re a boneless chicken kind of person, then they have a version for you, too.
Laksa
Famous in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, laksa is an absolute must-try dish. We love the rich flavour of this spicy and fragrant soup, which is just the right amount of sour. This thick noodle soup dish is often served with shrimp, chicken or vegetables.
Laksa has many regional variants which makes it a very diverse dish. Its coconut base gives it a lovely colour and adds some sweetness to the dish’s kick. We particularly love Penang Asam Laksa, which is tamarind-based and sour.
Satay
We’ve all heard of satay - and, unsurprisingly, Malaysia does a delectable version of this beloved dish. You’ll be able to find satay from most Malaysian street vendors and it makes for a delicious and convenient snack midday. Or even round two after dinner.
Roti Canai
Roti canai can be found in many countries throughout Southeast Asia and India. And its presence in Malaysian cuisine cannot be denied. A buttery and crispy Indian bread with flaky layers, it’s an excellent substitution for the crowned naan bread.
Paired with any of the previously mentioned Malaysian curries, roti canai is the perfect accompaniment.
Pandan Cake
From the outside, pandan cake looks like any other chiffon cake. But, when you slice through to its moist interior, it shocks with a luminous shade of green.
This lime green comes from the extract of pandan leaves, which when mixed with sugar, eggs, and flour makes a delicious and fluffy dessert. It’s lovely paired with a nice cup of black tea.
Pandan is sometimes referred to as "Asian vanilla" due its common use in Southeast Asian desserts.
Final Word
Give Malaysian cuisine a try.
If you’re a foodie who's lucky enough to visit Malaysia, you’re in for a treat. And if not, then absolutely try to make some of these dishes yourself. A lot of them are more simple than you think and you won’t regret it!
