The multi-ethnic cuisine fusion in Malaysian foods makes them unique among entire south Asia. Here you will find the majority of the population divided into Malays, Chinese, and Indians. The native Malay food is mainly based on meat and seafood ingredients. You will experience high notes of spices and aroma in it. Its Indian cuisine is inspired by South Indian recipes. Recipes of Chinese cuisine in Malaysia tend to be milder than Malay and Indian. Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia but Penang is said to be the food capital of this country. Even it is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list because of a unique blend of different cuisines. Whether it is the best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur or you are roaming across the street food market, their distinctive flavors will indeed stimulate your taste buds. Scroll down to know some interesting facts about Malaysian cuisine.

Penang is one of the Malaysian states which is situated on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The place is blessed with a huge number of options when it comes to food. You will find a unique blend of cultures, races, and religions here which has given birth to a variety of mouth-watering dishes. The best part about the food scene in Penang is that almost all the dishes are available at very reasonable prices. If you are planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur then do not forget to add Penang to your itinerary as it should not be missed by any foodie.

Some interesting things to know about Malaysian cuisine

Hawker center is the best place to experience authentic flavors

There are well-organized hawker centers in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities of Malaysia where you can experience their native culture much closer than the best hotel restaurant in KL. In other countries, we have to search for authentic restaurants for sharing their native flavors. They are usually very expensive as compared to the hawker’s stalls. Under one hawker center, you will be able to explore every cuisine flavor whether it is Indian, Chinese, or native Malay.

Some mandatory dishes to try

Whenever you visit a hawker stall or restaurant, information about the best local food in KL is mandatory before placing an order. Usually, we get confused between strange and difficult-to-pronounce names of dishes available at Malaysian restaurants. For your convenience, we are enlisting some of the most famous names:-

Nasi Lemka (the national dish)

It is a coconut milk rice dish that is served with various side dishes like fried chicken, curry, and pickled vegetables.

Satay

It is one of the most popular street foods in Malaysia and is made by grilling marinated meat on skewers. The meat used for this dish can be chicken, lamb, beef, or pork.

Mee Kolok

It is a type of noodle which is garnished with veggies, egg, and meat. The best part about this dish is that it can be eaten at any time of the day.

Nasi Kandar

It is a very popular dish among Malaysians as it consists of rice which is served with various curries and side dishes. You will find many small shops selling this dish, especially in Penang.

Roti Canai

It is a type of flatbread that is usually served with curry or dhal. Roti Canai is a very popular breakfast dish in Malaysia.

Laksa

It is a type of noodle soup that is available in various forms across Malaysia. The most popular form of laksa is Penang laksa which consists of rice noodles, shrimp, and vegetables in a spicy coconut milk broth.

Mee Goreng Mamak

It is a type of fried noodle which is very popular among the Indian community in Malaysia. The dish is garnished with eggs, vegetables, and meat.

Cendol

It is a famous dessert made with Pandan-flavored rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and brown sugar syrup. The dish is usually garnished with peanuts, corn, and kidney beans.

Nasi Kerabu

It is a very popular dish in Kelantan which is made of blue rice, coconut milk, and various herbs and spices. The dish is usually served with fried chicken, boiled egg, and vegetables.

Ayam Percik

It is a very popular grilled chicken dish that is marinated in spices and coconut milk. The dish is usually served with rice or noodles.

Rendang

It is a very popular curry dish that is made by slow-cooking meat in coconut milk and spices. The dish is usually served with rice or noodles.

Pineapple Fried Rice

It is a very popular dish among tourists as it is a mix of sweet and savory flavors. The dish is made by stir-frying rice with pineapple, vegetables, and meat.

Nasi Kandar

It is a very popular dish among Malaysians as it consists of rice which is served with various curries and side dishes. You will find many small shops selling this dish, especially in Penang.

Ikan Bakar

It is a very popular grilled fish dish that is marinated in spices and coconut milk. The dish is usually served with rice or noodles.

Murtabak

It is a very popular dish among the Indian community in Malaysia which is made by stuffing roti canai with eggs, meat, and vegetables.

Char Kway Teow

It is a stir-fried noodles dish that is available at almost every hawker stall in Malaysia. You will find different variations of this dish like seafood char kway teow, vegetarian char kway teow, etc.

Don’t forget to try their unique and fresh fruit juices

Food diversity is not everything to get surprised in their cuisine but unique fruit juices also have a reputed name. Below is a list of uniquely extracted and blended drinks every KL foodie must try:-

• Barley Juice
• Teh Tarik
• Nutmeg Juice
• Water Chestnut Juice
• Longan Juice
• Air Bandung Juice
• Ambra & Sour Plum Juice
• Air Mata Kucing Juice

A list of must-try restaurants in KL

As per the currently updated data of Tripadvisor, we are enlisting the top 10 restaurants offering seating and delivery services:-

• Sausage KL Cafe & Deli
• Positano Risto
• Tianfu Da Long Huoguo
• Niko Neko Matcha 1.0
• Eat X Dignity Cafe
• Horizon Grill
• BBQ Nights
• LUCE Osteria Contemporanea
• Qureshi Malaysia
• Burger on 16

Final thoughts

The best way to experience the authentic Malaysian flavors is by visiting their hawker food stalls and cafes. You will get a variety of options to choose from and that too at very reasonable rates. The list of must-try restaurants given above is a perfect blend of different cuisines available in Malaysia. They all are currently providing seating as well as delivery services to ensure customer safety. Visit them once to get a memorable gastronomical experience.

Apart from that, locals will help you in exploring new places popular for their ultimate flavors. You can ask them about the best street food in Kuala Lumpur. They will guide you regarding the must-try places and dishes from those places. So, whenever you are planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur, don’t forget to keep these things in your mind for exploring the real Malaysian flavors.

These were some things that you must know before exploring the food scene of Malaysia. The country is definitely a paradise for foodies as it has a lot to offer in terms of taste, variety, and price. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready to experience the authentic flavors of Malaysia.