5 Authentic And Irresistible Dishes To Try In Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most visited Southeast Asian Countries embedded with delicious cuisines, shopping malls, stunning beaches, and many more activities. If you are planning a trip to this amazing country, then these are the top 5 food that you must experience.

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak is known as the national dish of Malaysia. The popularity of this dish has reached beyond Malaysia to many other Southeast Asian neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Priced at around RM 11 (USD 3), this authentic dish is prepared by boiling rice with water, coconut milk, pandan leaves, and a variety of spices. Once the rice is cooked, the warm rice is served with sambal (which is usually made with chili sauce and shrimp paste), fried crispy anchovies, and roasted peanuts. Some also include an egg, calamari, fried fish, or chicken to this dish based on the buyer’s preferences. The meal is usually served on a plate with a banana leaf on it and sliced cucumbers are also paired with the dish to cool off the spiciness of the chili sambal.

Roti Canai

Roti Canai is a flaky flatbread that was created with the influence of the Indian food culture in Malaysia. Commonly known as “Roti Parata”, this dish is available at most street food stalls around Malaysia.

Roti Canai is one of the cheapest meals available in Malaysia. A portion of Roti Canai with the curries is priced around RM 2 (USD 1). It is usually served with a dhal curry and fish, or chicken curry based on your choice. In addition to the regular Roti Canai served with curries, there are other variations to the roti based on the ingredients included in the preparation of it. For instance, “Roti Telu” is a Roti prepared with an egg filling inside it. A sweet variation of the Roti Canai is called a “Roti Pisang” which is prepared by adding sliced banana inside the roti and glazing it with condensed milk or chocolate Nutella.

Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow is a stir-fried flat rice noodles dish that is prepared by adding soy sauce, chili, prawns, shrimp paste, cockles, bean sprouts, and Chinese chives. This delicious dish is made more flavourful by adding eggs, sliced sausages, fish cakes, bean sprouts, and a few other spices. The aroma of this dish is so appetizing that it has gained popularity among many locals as well as tourists.

A small portion of regular Char Kway Teow is priced around RM 7 (USD 2). However, the price may vary based on the portion size, and any additional vegetables or meat items included in the dish. Char Kway Teow is also available at most street vendors and restaurants.

Mee Goreng Mamak

Mee Goreng Mamak is another delicious and flavourful dish that is easily available at many street-side vendors and restaurants in Malaysia. A portion of Mee Goreng Mamak is sold at around RM 10 (USD 2).

This dish is made with yellow noodles, dried chilies, soy sauce, and eggs. It also consists of a generous amount of vegetables such as cabbage, tomatoes, shallots, and garlic, along with a choice of fish, chicken, or prawns. The aroma of a freshly prepared warm Mee Goreng Mamak is amazing, and you will feel to visit the stalls again.

Apam Balik

Apam Balik which is also known as “Ban Jian Kuih (turnover pancake) is a crispy/fluffy pancake. This sweet dish has been recognized by the Malaysian Department of National Heritage as a Heritage food in Malaysia.

The traditional Apam Balik is prepared by combining flour, coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and water. The Apam Balik may vary from one stall to another as some may prepare the pancake base to be very thin and crispy whilst others may prepare it to be as a thick fluffy pancake.

Apam Balik is mostly sold at street side stalls, and 3 pieces of Apam Balik are sold at a price of around RM 1. The filling inside the pancake usually includes crushed peanuts granulated with sugar, desiccated coconut, and sweet corn kernels. To make the pancake more flavourful and delectable Chocolate or Cheese may be added based on the buyer’s choice.

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