Malaysia is a culturally rich country because it has a diversity of races. When you visit Malaysia, you find traditional Malay, Chinese Malay, and Indian Malay here. Because of this diversity, you can find many types of food here.
Let me share my experience with you! As an international student in Malaysia, I initially found it a bit difficult to adapt to the local food. However, after a few days, I started enjoying it more and more.
The food habits of Malaysian people
Based on my experience, I’ve noticed that many Malaysians enjoy dishes like rice with chicken, noodles, and mee goreng, often accompanied by sambal, a flavorful chili paste. Lemon ice is a particularly popular drink here. As the weather is very hot outside, it’s common to see people drinking water, lemon ice, tea, etc. However, in this article, I am going to share 11 famous foods that you should try if you visit Malaysia. These foods are very popular here. 😎
1. Nasi Lemak
If you visit Malaysia but don’t try Nasi Lemak, it’s totally not accepted! 😂
Truly, Nasi Lemak is a very popular food, and it’s also the national dish in Malaysia. So I highly recommend every visitor try Nasi Lemak. 👏
Serving: This dish is combined with rice, boiled egg, peanuts, some slices of cucumber, dried fish, chicken, beef, or fish with sambal (chili-based sauce).
My personal review: 8 out of 10.
2. Laksa
I have been staying in Malaysia for 5 years. I can’t remember when I last ate this food. Because I am not a foody person. But to be honest, it’s very popular here. However, I am trying to give you the information as I committed myself to provide. 😅
If you like soup, laksa can be a better choice for you. This food is also popular in Singapore and Indonesia as well.
Serving: It’s made with noodles, coconut milk, tofu, chili powder, shrimp paste (belacan), flavorful spices, and vegetables, with chicken.
My personal review: Didn’t try it, but I know it’s popular in Malaysia.
3. Satay
You know I am not a foody person, right? But when I started to eat satay, I discovered myself as a foody person. 😀
To be honest, it’s one of my favorite foods in Malaysia. Satay is very popular here. Especially in the evening, you’ll see many street vendors selling this delicious food. 😋
Serving : It’s made with chicken, meat, or lamb, ground peanuts, soy sauce, cumin, and sometimes lime juice. I highly recommend you try this food for your evening snacks. 👍
My personal review: 10+ out of 10. 😂
4. Roti Canai
Image: Roti Canai by Yun Huang Yong, used under Creative Commons License.
Rotiiii… I know this name is very familiar to Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, or Indian people. Because this food is very popular in that region. It’s also popular in Malaysia. It’s very delicious food.
You can find this food everywhere (especially in Indian restaurants) during breakfast or dinner time. If you visit Malaysia, you must try it. Highly recommended! 👍
Serving: Roti Canai is typically served with a side of dhal (lentil curry), sambal, or soup, with some pieces of roti.
My personal review: 8 out of 10.
5. Nasi Kandar
If you visit Penang, you can find Nasi Kandar everywhere. It’s one of my favorite foods in Malaysia. Although it can be a bit pricey, it definitely offers a satisfying lunch experience to anyone.
Serving: Modern Nasi Kandar typically features steamed rice served with various curries, chicken, beef, lamb, seafood, and vegetables, and you can also customize it.
“Nasi Kandar” is everywhere in Malaysia, but if you visit Penang, don’t forget to try it from there!
My personal review: 9 out of 10.
6. Hainanese Chicken Rice
Image: Hainanese Chicken Rice AUD14 – Laksa King, Southland by Alpha, used under Creative Commons License.
If you ask me to tell you one popular Malaysian food that I don’t like, it might be Hainanese Chicken Rice… hihihi. Because this food is served with boiled chicken. I like chicken but don’t like boiled chicken. 😀
However, to be honest, it’s a very popular food in Malaysia. I see many Malays and many of my friends enjoy this dish. If you like boiled chicken, then it can be suitable for you.
Serving: Hainanese Chicken Rice is usually served as a complete meal, with chicken, rice, vegetables, and different sauces. It can be your complete lunch or dinner meal. 👏
My personal review: 3 out of 10.
7. Nasi Goreng (Ayam / Cumpung / Dugging / Undang)
These are my top favorite meals in Malaysia. Though it’s not healthy all the time, it’s very delicious. This food is a little bit oily. If you visit Malaysia, my high recommendation is not to miss these dishes. 😋
Serving: Nasi Goreng (Ayam / Cumpung / Dugging / Undang) is usually served as a complete meal, with chicken, dry fish, beef, or seafood, rice, spices, and sauces. It can be your complete breakfast, lunch, or dinner meal. 👏
My personal review: 9 out of 10.
8. Rendang
Image: Beef Rendang by su-lin, used under Creative Commons License.
Rendang is nothing but a special beef curry. It’s a rich, flavorful dish. It’s very popular in Malaysia and Indonesia. It’s a slow-cooked dish made with coconut milk. Based on my experience, I recommend you try it. I believe most of you will really enjoy this dish. 👍
Serving: Malaysian people usually serve this special beef curry with rice and vegetables or with ketupat (rice cakes).
My personal review: 7 out of 10.
9. Mee Goreng / Mee Goreng Mamak
Both of them are special types of noodles. In almost every restaurant in Malaysia, you can find this dish. This food is good for those who like spice. It is very popular among the Malay Indian people. Because of the high spice, it has a high flavor.
If you like spicy food, you must try it. I personally don’t like to have it every day because it’s too spicy. But honestly, it’s delicious. 👍
Serving: Mee Goreng / Mee Goreng Mamak is usually served as a complete meal, with noodles, tofu, vegetables, spices, and sauces. It can be your complete lunch or dinner meal. 👏
My personal review: 7 out of 10.
10. Apam Balik
I don’t like dessert, but Apam Balik is a special type of dessert. It’s one of my favorite foods in Malaysia. The people of Malaysia like it very much. In every local area or city, you can find this food. Especially, it is one of the most popular street foods.
If you want to taste one common dessert in Malaysia, my recommendation is to go for it. It can be an excellent snack. 👍
Serving: The base ingredient is plain flour, and inside it, they use sweetened shredded coconut, ground peanuts, corn, and sugar. It is really delicious.
My personal review: 9 out of 10.
11. Cendol
If you like dessert, you must try Cendol in Malaysia. It’s one of the popular desserts here. Though it looks very delicious, I didn’t try it because I don’t like to eat desserts. 😴
But to be honest, it’s very popular with Malaysian people. If you visit Malaysia, don’t forget to try it. Hopefully, one day I will also try this food. 😂
Serving: It is served with ice, green rice, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup (gula melaka). It can also be mixed with red beans or sweet corn for more flavoring. It gives you refreshments during the hot weather. 👏
My personal review: Didn’t try it.
Thank you, friends !!