Malaysia is a food paradise, with a unique blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. Whether you are a first-time traveler or a local looking to rediscover your food heritage, these are the top 20 must-eat Malaysian dishes.
1. Nasi Lemak
Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak is scented rice cooked in coconut milk served with sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, boiled eggs, and cucumber.
2. Char Kway Teow
This popular stir-fried noodle dish is made up of flat rice noodles stir-fried with prawns, Chinese sausage, eggs, and bean sprouts in smoky soy sauce.
3. Hainanese Chicken Rice
A simple yet tasty dish of poached or roasted chicken served with scented rice, accompanied by chili sauce and ginger paste.
4. Roti Canai
A soft and crispy Indian flatbread served with dhal (lentil curry) or spicy curries.
5. Satay
Grilled skewered meat (chicken, beef, or lamb) with a flavorful peanut sauce, rice cakes, onions, and cucumbers.
6. Laksa
Spicy noodle soup in various regional flavors, including Penang’s sour asam laksa and the creamy, coconut-milk-based curry laksa.
7. Nasi Kandar
Indian-Muslim specialty of steamed rice served with a variety of curries and condiments like fried chicken, squid, and vegetables.
8. Rendang
A rich slow-cooked beef stew braised in coconut milk and a blend of herbs and spices.
9. Rojak
A Malaysian fruit and vegetable salad mixed with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce.
10. Mee Goreng Mamak
A spicy fried noodle dish popular in many Indian-Muslim eateries, stir-fried with eggs, soy sauce, tofu, and various meat.
11. Cendol
A refreshing dessert made of shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar, and green rice flour jelly.
12. Hokkien Mee
A Chinese noodle dish fried with prawns, pork, eggs, and dark soy sauce.
13. Ikan Bakar
Grilled fish coated with a mixture of spices, traditionally served with spicy sambal sauce.
14. Kuih
Various Malaysian sweets in bite sizes, including multicolored layered cakes, coconut sweets, and glutinous rice sweets.
15. Bak Kut Teh
A traditional Chinese herbal pork rib soup with rice, fried dough sticks, and soy sauce condiments.
16. Apam Balik
A sweet and crunchy thick pancake that contains peanuts, sweet corn, and sugar.
17. Keropok Lekor
Deep-fried fish crackers made Terengganu-style and served with sweet and spicy chili sauce.
18. Otak-Otak
A spicy banana-leaf wrapped fish cake, grilled to the desired perfection.
19. Nasi Dagang
A traditional East Coast specialty of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and served with tuna curry.
20. Teh Tarik
Malaysia’s famous “pulled tea,” a rich and frothy tea beverage made with condensed milk.
These 20 dishes are Malaysia’s finest culinary heritage, each a unique flavor that reflects the nation’s diverse food culture. Spicy, sweet, or savory, there’s something to suit every palate in Malaysia’s vibrant food scene!
