Malaysia

What to eat in Malaysia: top 10 dishes

Traveling to Malaysia? These are the ten dishes it is best known for, from everyday staples to festive classics, with a short background and a tip on where and when to eat each one. Ranked by how widely they are known around the world.

01
Nasi lemak
Nasi lemak is a dish originating in Malay cuisine that consists of rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf. It is commonly found in Malaysia, where it is considered the national dish.
Travel tip A classic breakfast, but eaten any time of day, wrapped in banana leaf at street stalls and cafés. Add side dishes such as fried chicken or egg.
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02
Ketupat
Ketupat is a type of compressed rice cake commonly found across Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Timor-Leste and southern Thailand.
Travel tip Mainly made for Hari Raya celebrations, and served with rendang or satay. You will see the woven pouches during the festive season.
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03
Coconut jam
Coconut jam, also known as kaya jam or simply kaya, is a sweet spread made from a base of coconut milk, eggs, sugar and sometimes pandan leaves as flavouring. It is popular throughout Southeast Asia.
Travel tip Spread on toast at kopitiam coffee shops, often served with soft-boiled eggs and coffee. It is a classic breakfast set.
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04
Bak kut teh
Bak kut teh is a pork rib dish cooked in broth popularly served in Malaysia and Singapore where there is a predominant Hoklo and Teochew community.
Travel tip Often eaten for breakfast or brunch at specialist shops, with tea, rice and fried dough sticks. Pour the tea to sip alongside the rich broth.
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05
Batik cake
Kek batik is a type of Malaysian no-bake fridge cake dessert inspired by the Scottish tiffin, brought in the country during the British Malaya and Borneo period, and adapted with Malaysian ingredients.
Travel tip A no-bake chocolate and biscuit dessert served at home and in cafés, and common at celebrations. It is usually served chilled in slices.
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06
Ais Kacang
Ais kacang or air batu campur, Jawi: ‏اءير باتو چمڤور "mixed ice", often abbr. ABC) is a dessert common in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
Travel tip A shaved ice dessert sold at hawker stalls and dessert shops, especially in hot weather. Eat it quickly before it melts and mix the toppings.
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07
Nasi Kerabu
Nasi kerabu is a type of nasi ulam in essence a Malay rice dish in which rice naturally coloured with butterfly pea flowers (Clitoria ternatea) served with sides of dried fish or fried chicken, stuffed peppers (solok lada), fried crackers and other herbs and…
Travel tip A specialty of the east coast, especially Kelantan, often eaten at breakfast. Mix the rice with the herbs, coconut and sauce before eating.
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08
Curry puff
A curry puff is a snack of Southeast Asian origin. It is a small turnover containing a filling of curry, often of chicken and potatoes, in a fried or baked pastry shell. The consistency of the curry is quite thick to prevent it from oozing out of the snack.
Travel tip A popular snack sold at street stalls, bakeries and tea-time shops. It is eaten warm and held by the pastry edge.
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09
Curry noodle
Curry mee is a spicy noodle soup associated particularly with Malaysian Chinese cuisine.
Travel tip Sold at hawker stalls and local coffee shops, mostly for breakfast or lunch. Ask for the chili sambal on the side.
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10
Roti tissue
Roti tissue, roti tisu, or tisu prata is a sweet flatbread often sold at Mamak stalls in Malaysia and Singapore. It is also known as "roti helikopter" (helicopter bread). Roti tisu is a thinner and crispier version of the traditional roti canai or roti prata.
Travel tip A dessert flatbread served at mamak stalls, often late in the evening with tea. It is often sold as a tall cone and eaten by tearing pieces.
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Description: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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