Food in Malaysia

Malaysia is a food paradise. Almost all Asian cuisines as well as those from many other parts of the world can be found here, and the prices are good value for money.

Malay Food
Ethnically, most Malay dishes are somewhat spicy and very flavourful, due most noticeably to the extensive use of spices and curries. Look for the likes of Nasi Kandar, Nasi Lemak, Lontong, Satay, Ikan Bakar, Mee Bandung, Beef Rendang, Sambal Udang, Ayam Percik, Ayam Masak Merah, Mee Jawa, Nasi Karabu, Nasi Padang, Asam Pedas, and Sup Kambing. (please visit more.discover-malaysia.com for restaurant recommendations)

Chinese Food
Chinese food needs no introduction as it is so well-known and loved around the world. Some of the more common dishes to be found all around Malaysia are Wantan Noodles, Char Koay Teow, Hokkien Noodles, Teow Chew Porridge, and Hainanese Chicken Rice. Fine Chinese cuisine is a treat to be experienced at least once during your stay. (please visit more.discover-malaysia.com for restaurant recommendations)

Indian Food
Best categorized into “northern Indian” and “southern Indian” styles, Indian food in Malaysia is found almost everywhere. A large number of south Indian restaurants operate round the clock with a large assortment of curried, chilli and spiced dishes as well as a variety of the hugely popular Rotis (wheat flour pancakes), Tosais (rice flour pancakes) and Tandooris (marinated meat baked in clay ovens). Another popular dish is the Banana Leaf Rice, and the Fish Head Curry. (please visit more.discover-malaysia.com for restaurant recommendations)

Peranakan Food
The onset of the Chinese migration to the Malay peninsula began in earnest in the mid-15th century when the Chinese naval admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng He) arrived in Malacca. During those times, countries in the region were required to make tributary payments to the kingdoms of China and Siam in return for protection.

It was during this 1459 visit that a Chinese princess, Hang Li Po, was presented to Sultan Mansur Shah, the ruler of Malacca to be his bride. Together with her entourage, they were settled in what is known as Bukit Cina (Chinese Hill) in Malacca.

This community was to eventually evolve and expand whereby they would intermarry with the ethnic Malays as well as assimilate into the local culture with the exception of holding on in varying degrees to their original ethnic and religious roots. Since then, the descendants of this community were known as Peranakans with their men called Babas, and their women called Nyonyas.

With this also came the fusion of native Chinese food and local Malay cooking. Peranakan food is an delicious mix of savoury and spicy dishes that has come to define a unique culture of its own and is now found throughout Malaysia. Favourites include Acar, Enche Kabin, Perut Ikan, and Kiam Chai Boi. (please visit more.discover-malaysia.com for restaurant recommendations)

Ethnic Borneo Food
Served primarily in the villages and longhouses of Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo), the food is characteristically pungent and may not appeal to a universal palatate. Nonetheless, they are highly interesting and includes Wild Boar, Hinava, Ambuyat, Bambangan, Tuhaw. (please visit more.discover-malaysia.com for restaurant recommendations)

Western Cuisines
There is a plethora of Italian, French, German, Spanish and American restaurants in the major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching. Western food is becoming more and more popular among the locals and towards the end of each year, the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival is held at about 30 fine dining establishments from around the country and takes the spotlight and points it firmly on western food. (please visit more.discover-malaysia.com for restaurant recommendations)