Of the many cuisines I’ve tried around the world, Malaysian food has got to be one of the most diverse out there, as a result of the multicultural and various ethnic groups that make up the small, but mighty country. Due to its history of heavy immigration and colonialism, Malaysia has a plethora of distinct dishes influenced from Chinese, Indian, and other parts of Southeast Asian cuisine (Indonesian, Thai, Filipino). Honestly, you can’t go wrong with these delicious combinations!

Although much of Malaysia’s cuisine has been heavily-influenced by these different cultures, it isn’t as if it doesn’t have its own culinary contributions. In fact, what the Malaysian population does well is taking classic dishes, say, curry from India, and put their own spin on it to create nasi kandar, a curry-based dish, but with local ingredients and spices that make it distinctively Malay.

With the numerous options of what to eat, from Chinese to Indian to Malay, you’ll certainly never get bored of Malaysian food. Even better is that every dish packs a punch in flavor, aroma, and spice– especially sambal, which turns up the heat! I’d like to share some must-eats to try out: whether you get them in Malaysia or at a Malaysian restaurant near you, I guarantee you’ll be blown away.

Top 10 Malaysian Dishes You Need to Try

1. Nasi lemak

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This is the national dish of Malaysia, and while there are many variations of it, the basics consist of aromatic rice that’s cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf before being presented on top of or wrapped inside a banana leaf. Toppings include boiled eggs, dried anchovies, peanuts, and cucumber. Add with a dollop of sambal, and you have a salty, savory, and spicy delight!

2. Teh tarik

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Introduced by Indian Muslim immigrants post-WWII, teh tarik (“pulled tea”) is made by pouring a blend of black tea and condensed milk back and forth, aka “pulling,” to cool down the tea and for a frothy finish. It’s a skill in itself, and you’ll see many Malaysian Indians showing off their chops. I LOVE teh tarik: absolutely sweet and absolutely addicting– I could drink gallons of it!

3. Cendol

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Pronounced “chen-dul,” it refers to green, pandan-flavored jellies that resemble string beans. Interestingly, “cendol” also refers to the shaved ice dessert in which the jellies are topped in, along with red bean, sweet corn, even durian. Especially in a perpetually-hot climate like Malaysia, eating cendol is perfect for cooling off, not to forget sweet and refreshing!

4. Nasi kandar

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This dish is from Penang, an island off the northwest coast of the Malaysian peninsula. It was created by Tamil Indians in the 1900s, and its a rich dish topped with different curries and different proteins (fish, chicken). While the dish looks messy, it’s absolutely delicious. Nasi kandar was one of my favorite dishes I ate in Malaysia: get it with the fried chicken (ayam)– it’s INCREDIBLE.

5. Char kway teow

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Char kway teow may seem like a simple, Chinese-influenced stir-fry noodle dish, but regardless, it is the ultimate comfort food that’s sure to leave you full and happy in the end. It’s rich, it’s greasy, and it’s beautifully smokey from the wok hei (charred bits). While char kway teow isn’t a dish to have every day, it’s worth having when one feels indulgent!

6. Laksa

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Also a noodle dish, laksa originated from the Peranakan Chinese dating back as early as the 15th century. The dish consists of thick noodles that are cut short to be eaten with a spoon, with the broth varying from curry to fish stew. There are so many varieties of laksa all throughout the country, but rule of thumb is that it’s a noodle soup/stew, and it’s absolutely flavorful!

7. Durian

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Ah, the “king of fruits…” whether you love it or hate it, durian is definitely a polarizing fruit. What makes it so controversial is its smell: personally, I think it smells like petrol, whereas others might say it smells like sweaty feet. Durian’s an acquired taste, and while I didn’t find the smell too offensive, I wasn’t a fan of the texture, which was mushy and stringy. At least I tried it!

8. Roti canai

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Another dish from Indian Muslim immigrants, the roti canai is a flaky flatbread that’s served with dal (lentil curry) or other curries like chicken, mutton, or chickpeas. Roti canai is so popular in Malaysia that it surpasses other types of bread eaten by the population! I can see why: quick, cheap, and easy to eat, the roti canai is the perfect dish to have for breakfast, snack, or any time of day.

9. Satay

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While you can see satay in other parts of Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand), Malaysia does a solid job of this meat-skewer street food! There are different types of skewers, from chicken to beef to pork– there are even goat and mutton, if one’s feeling adventurous. You can’t go wrong with this small snack– dip it in some peanut sauce, and you’re good to go!

10. Kueh pie tee

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Resembling top hats, kueh pie tee are thin, crispy tart shells that are stuffed with vegetables like turnips and carrots. They are finger food that are usually served during tea time, and they offer a satisfying crunch from the outer tart shell and a refreshing, almost palate-cleansing, interior. Kueh pie tee are tasty, as well as absolutely adorable!

Which Malaysian dish would you try? Let me know! Thanks for reading šŸ™‚

— Rebecca

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Published by Rebecca

Blogger, world traveler, poet, foodie, part-time penguin. Welcome!

50 thoughts on “Top 10 Malaysian Dishes You Need to Try”

  1. Those all look YUMMY!!
    Weirdly, I don’t recall much about trying durian… and no memory at all of the smell. I wonder if the “i hate cilantro” gene is also a “durian isn’t particularly smelly” gene!

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    1. Based on your logic, I do like cilantro– therefore, maybe that’s why I don’t like durian! Durian is definitely an acquired taste, and alas, I didn’t acquire it!

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      1. For the most part, I like “eating like the locals”, but earlier today I saw something about checking out places like McD’s, just to see how they’re different. Of course, that would require me to what they offer here!

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  3. I love how in Malaysia they have different variations of laksa. I’ve only tried a few of them and I’m definitely eager to try more. Teh tarik is another thing I first tried in Malaysia and fell in love with. It’s always a good idea to mix black tea and milk!

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    1. There are so many different types of laksa in Malaysian cuisine that it’s impossible to try them all, let alone in one trip! Teh tarik is delicious and absolutely addicting, and I even brought a whole pack of instant teh tarik home with me!

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  5. So many tasty delights (minus the durian). The “aromatic rice thatā€™s cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf” sounds like something I could eat three times a day! Thanks so much for your descriptions of Malay food. On my list to try!

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    1. Kueh pie tee is a tasty little finger food, and I can see it complementing an afternoon tea! Apparently, I was informed on a Malaysian food tour that roti is the most widely-eaten bread in the world (due to the large Indian population and diaspora), and I agree it’s delicious!

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  12. These all look delicious and I would try a vegetarian version of any of these. Iā€™m not sure I could try durian though, the texture sounds really off-putting. Well done, Rebecca, for trying it, youā€™re braver than I am!

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    1. Isn’t it annoying when it happens? Haha, sometimes I get hungry reading a food bog even AFTER I eat! Kueh pie tee is the ultimate finger food, and I can see it being the perfect addition to afternoon tea! Hope you can try it sometime šŸ™‚

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  14. These all look amazing! The only Malaysian food I’ve had were the Apam balik that were sold in London’s Brick Lane Market and those are so good I STILL think about them fondly. I imagine most Malaysian food is equally delicious!

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  15. Iā€™ve had the national dish before, but I havenā€™t tried the teh tarik. Iā€™m drinking more tea these days and it sounds like something Iā€™d like since I enjoy condensed milk (in coffee drinks). Thanks for sharing, Rebecca!

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  17. Now that I think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever tried Malaysian food, and now I’m craving it thanks to you ahah! I know with absolute certainty that I’d love Teh Tarik, and I’d be very curious to try Durian. All the rest seems amazing too! Do they eat very spicy generally there?

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    1. Malaysian food is hard to come by, even here in LA! Regardless, it’s delicious! Teh tarik is a good one to start with, although I would say durian is only for the brave! Malaysian food is pretty spicy (especially with sambal), but very flavorful! Hope you can try it sometime šŸ™‚

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    1. There are lots of overlap between Malaysian and Indonesian cuisine. If you like Indonesian food, you’ll certainly love Malaysian food! It’s hard to find Malaysian restaurants, even here in LA, so I’ll need to return to Malaysia for the food!

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