Foodie’s Guide: Top 10 National Foods to Try on Your First Visit to Malaysia!
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Top 10 National Foods
ABOUT MALAYSIAN CUISINE
Malaysian cuisine is not only a pleasure for taste, but also a showcase of culture. From breakfast to late night snacks, each dish has its own unique story and flavor. However, first-time visitors may find the food culture here novel. Many dishes in Malaysia tend to be spicy, especially Sambal and curry dishes. If you don’t like spicy food, you can request ‘less spicy’ in advance. In addition, the food here often has a strong coconut milk flavor, such as coconut milk rice and curry.
In Indian restaurants, many people are accustomed to grabbing rice with their hands (especially banana leaf rice). If you want to try it, why not wash your hands and enjoy this authentic dish with your right hand! In addition, there are many Halal restaurants in Malaysia, and Muslim restaurants do not serve pork or alcohol. If there are dietary restrictions, remember to pay attention to the ‘Halal’ sign.
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Nasi Lemak
01
Malaysia’s’ National Breakfast ‘is a dish of rice cooked with rich coconut milk, paired with fried river fish, peanuts, boiled eggs, cucumbers, and a special sambal chili sauce. Some restaurants also provide fried chicken, Chicken in curry sauce or Rendang beef, which is absolutely the daily breakfast of most office workers..
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Roti Canai
One of the most popular breakfasts in Malaysia, crispy pancakes with a soft inside, usually served with rich curry sauce or bean paste. Friends who like sweets can choose to dip in condensed milk or sugar, which can make people addicted as soon as they eat it.
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Bak Kut Teh
A bowl of fragrant medicinal pig bone soup is a favorite of many people. The soup is slowly stewed with garlic, pepper and more than ten kinds of Chinese medicinal materials. It tastes rich and mellow. It can be served with rice, deep-fried dough sticks, or some tender pork slices, ribs or viscera. Eating a bowl of meat and bone tea in rainy days is absolutely delicious!
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Hokkien Mee
04
Unlike the Fujian noodles stir fried with Kuala Lumpur black soy sauce, the Fujian noodles in Penang are a rich shrimp soup noodles. The delicious soup is boiled with prawns and shrimp shells for several hours. It is paired with Rice noodles, yellow noodles, bean sprouts, eggs and tender prawns. With a slightly spicy taste, each mouthful can taste the fresh sweetness of seafood.
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Satay
05
Marinated and flavorful chicken, beef, or lamb skewers are slowly grilled over charcoal until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, emitting a tempting aroma. Paired with rich and slightly sweet peanut butter, cucumber, onion, and glutinous rice chunks (Ketupat), it is a delicious dish that can satisfy your appetite both day and night.
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Ais Kacang
In hot weather, a bowl of colorful coconut sugar Shaved ice is the best way to relieve the summer heat! Delicate Shaved ice is topped with sweet syrup, matched with red beans, corn, jelly, fairy grass, peanuts and other ingredients, with rich and layered taste. And the sweet and smooth coconut ice cream is even more refreshing, allowing people to enjoy the southern style.
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Laksa
Curry Laksa: Rich coconut milk and spices are boiled into a golden soup base, emitting a charming aroma. With smooth Rice noodles, tender chicken, bean curd, fresh shrimp and other ingredients, each mouthful is full of perfect integration of coconut milk and spices, which is a must for diners who like rich taste.
Asam Laksa: Unlike curry Laksa, Asam Laksa uses fish soup as the base, with a sour and spicy broth that is appetizing, and a unique flavor of lemongrass and tamarind. Serve with coarse Rice noodles, fresh mackerel meat, cucumber, onion, mint leaf and pineapple, and finally pour a spoonful of rich shrimp paste (Belacan), which is a must see food representative in Penang..
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Char Kway Teow
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Stir fry rice noodles in a hot pot with high heat, adding ingredients such as eggs, prawns, sausages, bean sprouts, chives, etc. The fried rice noodles have a strong “pot aroma” and a fragrant aroma, making the Penang version particularly classic.
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Durian
Durian, known as the “king of fruits”, is enchanting with its unique aroma and creamy taste. Musang King durian has a high sweetness and delicate taste, making it the first choice for many people.
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Banana Leaf Rice
This traditional dish originated from South India, with rice covered in various curries – rich chicken, lamb, or fish curries, each with different levels of spices. Side dishes usually include pickled vegetables, fried bitter melon, bean curry, stir fried vegetables, and crispy fried chicken or fish, with a rich taste.
The most authentic way to eat banana leaf rice is to grab the rice with your hands, especially by mixing the rice and curry with your right hand before putting it into your mouth, which can better feel the fusion and layering of the spices.
