8 Best Traditional Food in Malaysia

Malaysia is a country of interwoven cultures, where you can eat delicious food from all over the world. From authentic Malaysian cuisine to Chinese dishes, or unique Nyonya dishes are on the list of must-eat foods in Malaysia. Here, Top Asia Tour will introduce the 8 best traditional food in Malaysia to you.

 

1. Bak Kut Teh 

When talking about Malaysian cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is Bak Kut Teh. Bak Kut Teh is a pork medicinal soup, which is made of pork, pork bones, Chinese medicine and spices, such as angelica, wolfberry, polygonatum odoratum, codonopsis, cinnamon, rehmannia glutinosa, American ginseng, licorice, ligusticum wallichii, star anise, fennel, clove, garlic and pepper. Generally, it used pork ribs. It was first created by overseas Chinese from Fujian in Malaysia at the beginning of the 20th century. After that, it prevailed in Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, Bak Kut Teh is a typical breakfast dish.

 

Bak Kut Teh 

Bak Kut Teh 

 

2. Nasi Lemak 

Nasi Lemak is made of rice with coconut milk, dried small fish, hard-boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, shredded cucumber and various vegetables. It is a famous local delicacy, and you should not miss it. The nasi lemak has a creamy white color and a strong coconut fragrance. Nasi Lemak is traditionally eaten for breakfast, and it is sold at roadside stalls in Malaysia from the early morning. Some restaurants serve it on a plate for lunch or dinner, giving it a chance to be considered a delicacy. Nasi Lemak is also the most traditional New Year food for Malaysians.

 

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak

 

3. Satay 

Satay is the authentic Malaysian style barbecue food, also known as charcoal kebabs. It is a traditional Malay delicacy. The marinated beef, lamb, and chicken are skewered and grilled over moderate heat. The most important thing is to dip them in a thick satay sauce. Satay sauce is made from peanut butter, coconut sauce, young shrimps, etc, with an extremely fragrant. It tastes so delicious that you can't help loving it. As one of the 8 best traditional food in Malaysia, you should not miss it.

 

Satay

Satay 

 

4. Laksa 

Laksa is a special soup base, which is made of various ingredients such as prawns, dried shrimp, chili, coconut milk, lemongrass, dried onions, cymbopogon etc. It is a dish that combines Malaysia culture and Singaporean culture as well as Chinese culture. Laksa is the most prestigious Nyonya cuisine. Laksa is generally divided into two types: Curry Laksa and Assam Laksa. Laksa is usually eaten with noodles. It tastes spicy with a little sweetness.

 

Laksa 

Laksa 

 

5. Hokkien Mee 

Hokkien Mee is an authentic delicacy in Penang, Malaysia. It is generally called Har Mi in other places. The main ingredients are yellow noodles (alkaline water noodles), prawn, water spinach, egg slices, meat slices, soup, pork bones, chili oil, Sambai. Flavoured with a heavy soy sauce, it is a traditional Chinese delicacy. Hokkien Mee in Kuala Lumpur was first created in 1927 by Chinese-born Wang Jinlian.

 

Hokkien Mee 

Hokkien Mee 

 

6. Hainanese Chicken Rice 

Hainan chicken rice originated in Wenchang City, Hainan Province, China. It was first spread among the people as a way of eating Wenchang chicken. Around the 1930s, some Hainan residents run business in Malaysia, Singapore and other places, and began to sell Wenchang chicken and rice with chicken sauce.

 

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice

 

Today, Hainanese Chicken Rice has become a famous Chinese dish in Malaysia. The current Hainanese chicken rice is served with seasonings such as soy sauce, garlic and chili sauce.

 

7. Rojak 

Rojak is Malay, which means "hodgepodge". It is a very popular appetizer and side dish, and it is also a healthy and nutritious snack. Rojak uses raw fruits as the main raw material, mixed with sweet and spicy seasonings, and the taste is very good. Rojak's ingredients include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as pineapples, cucumbers, sweet radishes, bean sprouts, green apples, and raw mangoes.

 

Rojak 

Rojak 

 

Cut into thin pieces, put them in a bowl together with fried dried tofu, fried dough sticks and shrimp chips, stir well with special shrimp paste sauce, fresh chili, lemon juice and roasted peanuts, and you will get a cool and refreshing special salad. Rojak is a traditional fruit and vegetable salad plate commonly seen in Malaysia, widely popular and inexpensive.

 

8. Curry Fish Head

Curry fish head is one of the most representative of Indian cuisine in Malaysia. It was first created by the local Indians and cooked for the Chinese who love to eat fish head. Gradually, Malays and Indians also began to fall in love with this dish and created different styles. The reputation of curry fish head began to spread.

 

Curry Fish Head

Curry Fish Head

 

This Indian-flavored delicacy usually uses on a large piece of grouper head or red fish head as the main ingredient. The fish head is braised in a thick curry sauce, usually served with white rice. The tender fish head and the spicy curry soup are rich in fragrance and spicy enough.

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