What Do They Eat In Malaysia?

Malaysia is one of the best countries in Asia for food.

Places like George Town or Kuala Lumpur are paradises for all the foodies out there.

Why?

The beauty of Malaysia, in fact, is its cultural diversity, since it is a mix of different ethnic groups: Malaysian, Chinese and Indian.

Street food in George Town

This multicultural spirit brought to the country a great culinary variety as well; this means that you can eat food from three different traditions. And even more.

How great is this?

Food courts are very popular in Malaysia and provide a variety of different food. Locals normally eat there, which means that the food is actually good and very affordable.

Do you fancy some Indian or Chinese food?

Indian Roti

Chinese dumplings

Both are very easy to find, but the neighborhoods of Little India and Chinatown, either in George Town or Kuala Lumpur, are definitely the best options.

But what are the TYPICAL MALAYSIAN DISHES?

First thing to know: the word “NASI”, which you will see everywhere, means "rice".

Second thing to know: most of the food is deep fried.

Nasi Lemak

In Malaysia everything will go with Nasi, rice: chicken, fish, vegetables…

The national dish of Malaysia is, in fact, NASI LEMAK, which literally means “fat rice”, cooked with coconut milk and sometimes colored in blue. It is served with dry anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, boiled eggs and a fish spicy sauce. The taste is very decisive and it can be also very spicy!

Rice with different spicies

The dish looks very beautiful and decorative as well.

NASI KANDAR, is the same version of Nasi Lemak, but with fried chicken and normal steam rice.

NASI GORENG is another Malaysian (and Indonesian) typical dish, made of fried rice, vegetables and eggs.

NASI GORENG AYAM is the version of the same dish with chicken.

Deep fried food

What if you get tired of rice? No worries, there are always alternatives.

The famous Ramly burger will save your appetite, but maybe not your diet. On the streets of Malaysia you will see this popular burger, whose patty is wrapped in an omelette and flavored with sauce and curry.

Deep fried food

Does it sound delicious?

Again, the best places to try out the big variety of food in Malaysia are the food courts, where you will be spoilt for choice!

Fancy a dessert? Malaysians treats are normally very sweet and sugary. The most popular and delicious is Putu Bambu, made of rice, coconut, palm sugar and pandan flavor (that’s why it’s green).

Patu Bambu

Another typical Malaysian dessert that you must try is Cendol. It might look a bit odd, since it made of coconut green noodles, corn, red beans and ice, flavored with coconut milk and sugar. Cendol can also be served with durian ice cream, which can't be probably appreciated from everybody, but it's still worthy to try if you are in Malaysia!

Cendol with durian ice cream

Some very good food courts in Kuala Lumpur:

• Tang City Food Court, 21-27, Jalan Hang Lekir, City Centre, 50000

• Kuala Lumpur Signatures Food Court - Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang

• J'S GATE DINING, P1, Level 4, Lot 10, Jalan Sultan Ismail

Some very good food courts in George Town:

• Jetty Food Court, 49-F, Pengkalan Weld

• Chew Jetty, Weld Quay, 10300