Malaysian Cuisine
Malaysia foods – have a rich history of food production and consumption. It was one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to adopt Western agricultural practices, such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Today, Malaysians eat an average of five meals per day, with rice being the staple food. Other popular dishes include nasi lemak (a coconut milk-based dish), laksa (spicy noodle soup), kueh pie (sweet pastry filled with custard), and chicken curry.
The cuisine of Malaysia is influenced by many different cultures, including Chinese, Indian, Malay, European, and Arabic. In fact, the country’s name comes from the word “Malaya,” which means “land of spices.” As a result, there are many regional variations of cuisines throughout the country. For example, Penang is known for its seafood dishes, while Johor is famous for its spicy curries.
Popular Malaysian Foods and Dishes
Malaysia Food – The most common types of food eaten in Malaysia are rice, noodles, bread, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, and desserts. Rice is the main source of carbohydrates in the diet, and it is often served at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Noodles are commonly used as a side dish, and they come in various shapes and sizes. Bread is usually consumed during breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Fruits and vegetables are typically eaten as snacks between meals. Meat is the primary source of protein in the diet, and people consume beef, pork, poultry, and seafood. Eggs are considered a delicacy, and they are often eaten for breakfast or brunch. Desserts are enjoyed after a meal, and they are usually sweetened with sugar.
Nasi Lemak
The nasi lemak is a dish of rice cooked with coconut milk, spices, and peanuts. It is also known as “nasi kandar” in Malaysia. The word “lemak” means “to mix”, which refers to the mixing of ingredients in this dish. Nasi lemak is usually served with sambal belacan (shrimp paste).
The nasi lemak originated from the Malay people who migrated to Singapore during the British colonial period. Rice was introduced to the island by Chinese immigrants. The Malays adapted the dish and added coconut milk, peanuts, and spices to create a unique version of the dish.
Mee Goreng mamak ikan
Mee goreng mamaik (; literally “fried fish mom’s egg”) is a type of fried rice dish from Indonesia. It is made with eggs, vegetables and meat or seafood. The main ingredients are the same as in other types of fried rice dishes: rice, vegetables, meat or seafood, and seasoning. However, it has its own unique taste because of the addition of eggs.
The name mee goreng mamaik comes from the Indonesian word for fried rice, which is mee goreng (“fried rice“). In this case, the term refers to the fact that the dish uses eggs instead of meat.
Apam balik. This is the ultimate Malaysian pancake ikan bakar (grilled fish) recipe that I have been making for years now and it has never failed me yet. It’s a simple, quick, and easy-to-make dish that can be served as an appetizer or main course. I am not sure if you are familiar with this dish but in Malaysia, we call this “ikan bakar”.
Apam Balik
The original apam balik disharmony is a popular breakfast dish in Malaysia. It consists of two pancakes topped with scrambled eggs and slices of grilled fish. The pancakes are thin and crispy while the scrambled eggs are soft and fluffy. The dish is often served with a side of sweet chili sauce.
In this recipe, we have replaced the fish with tofu to make it vegan friendly. We also added some vegetables for extra nutrition. You can use any type of vegetable you like but we recommend using mushrooms as they add a nice texture to the dish. Ingredients: 1/2 cup (125 ml) soy milk 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon oil.
Nasi Kerabu
Nasi Kerabu (; literally “rice with coconut”) is a dish of rice cooked in coconut milk, served as an accompaniment to curries and other dishes. It is also known by the Malay name nasi kandar (“coconut rice“). It is one of the most popular Malaysian food items. The dish originated from Kelantan cuisine, where it was originally called. Preparation The method for preparing this dish varies depending on the region. In Penang, the dish is prepared using only palm sugar and coconut milk. In Perak, the dish uses more spices such as ginger, galangal, turmeric, lemongrass, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
Ayam Percik
Ayam percik (literally “pepper chicken”) is a popular dish in Malaysia. It is made with chicken marinated in a mixture of ground black pepper, salt, garlic, shallots, and chilies. The chicken is then deep-fried until golden brown. Ayam percik is traditionally eaten with nasi kerabu (rice with coconut), but it can also be enjoyed as a snack or appetizer.
Conclusion
Malaysian foods are created with a loosely fit amount of ingredients, and sometimes you yourself pick what you want inside. The decisions can be different depending on where you are in Malaysia. However if foodie travel is what you enjoy then Malaysian food is a must, and Penang and Kula Lumpar are two great places to start. Even though the nasi lemak is the most recognized dish you should consider these others and expand your taste buds as you travel within Malaysia. Another location for some great food ideas is Malaysia’s top 40 foods.
Happy Travels!
Some additional articles we have written about Malaysia and the experience.
Mangrove Adventures in Malaysia
