3 Must-Try Foods in Malaysia

If you're looking for a new culinary adventure, look no further than Malaysia. This Southeast Asian country is known for its vibrant and diverse food culture, where Malay, Chinese and Indian people have left their mark to create the melting pot that is Malaysian cuisine. As a result, you'll find a delicious variety of flavours in dishes like nasi lemak, roti canai, char kwey teo, curries, kaya toast, durian ice cream, and so much more.

Food is definitely a culture here. During your visit, you may notice Malaysians asking you "Have you eaten?" which is almost like "how are you?” here. Plus, I assure you that many Grab drivers (the Uber of Southeast Asia) and other locals will ask you if you like the local food (tip: the answer is yes!).

There are countless dishes you should explore - from Mamak to Nyonya to banana leaf cuisine and much more. I have to start somewhere, so I’ll share a few of my favourites after three years of living in Kuala Lumpur.

Here are three dishes you shouldn’t leave Malaysia without trying:

1. Nasi Lemak Ayam

Considered Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak is pretty simple yet delicious. Coconut rice, sambal chilli paste, dried anchovies, and peanuts make up the core of this national favourite. It’s often served with cucumbers and sometimes with chicken (“ayam”). Pictured here from Anak Baba restaurant in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, they also serve it with water spinach.

If I’m honest, I didn’t get excited when I first heard that the Malaysian national dish was rice. Now I’m a total convert to Nasi Lemak and I know that its beauty is all in the “toppings”. 

I now order Nasi Lemak Ayam once or twice a week for lunch at Anak Baba, a Michelin Guide-rated Peranakan restaurant in Brickfields, the Little India of Kuala Lumpur. Admittedly, it’s a pretty fancy version. I love this one because the chicken is always perfect (never dry), plus they serve it with greens - a rarity!

Nasi Lemak is coconut rice cooked with pandan (screwpine) leaf, served with peanuts, dried anchovies and sambal - a flavourful chilli paste usually mixed with prawns. You can get it on its own or with chicken, which is the “ayam”.

Traditionally, Nasi Lemak is eaten for breakfast, but it is also available throughout the day. The classic form comes in a triangular shape, wrapped in a banana leaf, with the chilli paste, anchovies and peanuts in the middle. You’d find this version at food carts or at the cash in some convenience stores. At food stalls and local restaurants, it’s often served on a plastic plate with chicken. Nasi lemak and/or nasi lemak ayam are definitely must-try foods on your visit to Malaysia.

Wash it down with kopi ais or Milo ais

Try a local iced coffee (kopi ais) or a Milo ais - a very popular chocolate malt drink. Depending on where you order from, you might get your hot or cold drink in a plastic bag with a straw - no frills! Tip: you might want to ask for less sugar since Malaysian beverages tend to come with heaps.

2. Char Kway Teo

Hello char kway teo! Not eaten for its health benefits, this fried noodle dish is often made with pork lard, bean sprouts, egg and sausage - a sinfully delicious combo. Enjoyed here from a food stall in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, with a glass of fresh coconut juice.

I tried this by chance on my first week in Malaysia, and it quickly became my favourite. Char means “stir-fried” in the Chinese languages Hokkien and Teochew, and kway teow are the flat rice noodles used in this sinfully good dish. 

Traditionally, this Chinese-origin stir-fried noodle dish is cooked on high heat with dark soy sauce, seafood, pork sausage, bean sprouts, eggs and more. To be honest, it often doesn’t look very good - but don’t judge a noodle dish by its messy appearance! It tastes amazing.

Char kway teo can be found throughout Malaysia and Singapore, but it’s particularly famous on the island of Penang, Malaysia. For best results, go street food style and get it from a food stall.

Note that you can also find halal versions of this dish (which traditionally has pork in it) from some local halal restaurants. Either way, don’t miss out on this Chinese delicacy while in Malaysia!

Wash it down with fresh juice

Malaysia has a strong juice game! At most local food places, you can have your pick among many fruits and vegetables, like orange, apple, carrot, watermelon or mango juices are blended fresh on-site and super satisfying in the heat. Again, they will add a lot of sugar unless you ask for less (or no) sugar

3. Kaya Toast

A delicious treat in the morning, enjoy kaya toast (toast with coconut jam and butter) dipped in soft boiled eggs at a kopitiam. Almost like deconstructed french toast with an Asian twist…!

If you’re surprised to see “toast” on this list, well, so am I. Growing up, toast is the easiest and first “meal” we learn to make, so I could certainly do it at home, but there is more to Kaya Toast than toast.

Kaya is coconut jam, which is exactly as delicious as it sounds. It’s made of coconut milk, eggs and sugar. To enjoy Kaya toast the way locals do, order it with a side of half-cooked eggs. Your toast will come with a thick layer of butter (enough to make you uncomfortable but go with it!) and Kaya jam spread on it.

Use a spoon to crack the eggs in half and pour the liquidy eggs into a small bowl, then add some soya sauce, salt and pepper (it will be on the table) to your liking. Next, dip the Kaya toast into the half-boiled eggs, have a bite and enjoy the surprise of how delicious this strange-sounding combination is!

As usual, this is best enjoyed from a food stall or kopitiam, and it makes for an unexpectedly awesome local food experience.

Wash it down with Cham

A popular drink in kopitiams - traditional Chinese cafes - cham is a milky mixture of coffee and pulled tea. Make sure to ask for less sugar to enjoy it at its best! You can get it hot or cold (my personal preference). This is one of my favourite drinks to get with local food.

Once you spend some time in Malaysia, you’ll learn that you can't talk about Malaysia without talking about food. I promise you that the food will be one of the most important parts of your visit!

There is so much more, but I’ll leave it there for now. I look forward to hearing you suggestions as well.

Enjoy every bite!