TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Cuisine in Malaysia is renowned for its diversity, reflecting the cultural fusion of major ethnic groups including Malay, Chinese, Indian, as well as the Minangkabau, Kadazan, and Iban. These dishes have amalgamated to become the unique culinary identity of Malaysia, worth exploring by every traveler.
For newcomers, the array of food choices in Malaysia might seem overwhelming. However, the following 12 iconic dishes can serve as a practical guide to explore the authentic flavors of the neighboring country. Most of these dishes are easily found, affordable, and available throughout the country.
Here are the iconic Malaysian cuisines as reported by Travel and Leisure Asia:
1. Nasi Lemak
This national dish of Malaysia consists of rice cooked in coconut milk, served with sweet and spicy sambal, fried chicken, sliced cucumber, and peanuts. Its simplicity has made it a favorite throughout the day, from breakfast to dinner. Variations include accompaniments such as rendang, sambal squid, or chicken cooked in red sauce. Its popularity has even inspired innovations like ice cream, cakes, and even nasi lemak-flavored macarons.
2. Char Kuey Teow
Wide stir-fried rice noodles with prawns, eggs, cockles, and the distinct wok hei flavor make this the most popular noodle dish in Malaysia. After hundreds of years and numerous woks filled with delicious seasonings, Char Kuey Teow has become a staple in Malaysian cuisine and has various variations enjoyed by all ethnicities.
3. Laksa
This spicy coconut milk-based noodle soup is often referred to as the ultimate comfort food for Malaysians. Despite its seemingly simple appearance, laksa has the most variations based on region, such as curry laksa, laksa Johor, Nyonya laksa, and asam laksa. Its richly spiced broth requires hours to prepare.
4. Ipoh Chicken Rice
Ipoh chicken rice is a daily meal for Malaysians seeking a balanced combination of carbohydrates and protein. This dish is characterized by soft, buttery rice, the perfect chili sauce, and juicy steamed chicken.
5. Satay
This dish consists of skewered grilled chicken or beef marinated and cooked over an open flame. It is served with sweet and spicy peanut sauce, cucumber slices, and onions. The Malay version is known as satay Kajang with rice cakes, while the Chinese version may use pork.
6. Nasi Kandar
This mixed rice with thick curry gravy and various side dishes is often found in mamak stalls. The savory and spicy combination makes it a popular lunch or dinner choice.
7. Bak Kut Teh
Bak kut teh is a herbal pork rib soup from Klang, served with oily rice, vegetables, as well as soy sauce, garlic, and chili. Last year, this dish was added to the growing list of national heritage foods, but it received mixed reactions from Malaysian netizens, as reported by Straits Times.
8. Roti Kaya Bakar
This consists of toasted bread layered with sweet spread and butter, served with half-boiled egg and strong black coffee. Travelers can find it in coffee shops. Despite its simple appearance, it takes a lot of skill to make it perfect.
9. Roti Canai
This crispy Indian flatbread, served with dal curry and sambal, is a favorite breakfast dish at mamak stalls. Delicious roti will be light and crispy on the outside but soft inside, perfect to pair with dal and sambal sauce.
10. Cendol
Similar to the cendol ice dessert in Indonesia, this shaved ice is served with coconut milk, palm sugar, and pandan jelly, often added with red beans, corn, or durian. It is easily found by the roadside or in food centers.
11. Kuih Nyonya
Kuih, known as Baba Nyonya cuisine. These are small, easy-to-eat cakes with hundreds of variations, such as colorful layered kuih lapis or onde-onde bursting with palm sugar. Most of the best kuih can be found in Melaka. However, there are no specific stalls, so travelers have to ask around the city to find the secret old grannies who are kuih experts.
12. Ramly Burger
This typical Malaysian late-night snack can usually be found in food trucks around the city, with seasoned patty, wrapped with thin egg, and abundant sauces like chili, mayo, and barbecue.