Malaysia is a country rich in culture, and this is reflected in its food. There is a wide variety of dishes to choose from, each with its own unique flavor. In this blog post, we will be exploring the top 5 Malaysian dishes. We will be looking at the history and origins of each dish, as well as what makes it so special. So without further ado, let’s get started!

Roti Canai

1. Roti canai is a type of flatbread that originates from Malaysia. It is made from Maida flour, water, and ghee or vegetable oil. The dough is kneaded until it is soft and then flattened into a disc shape. It is then cooked on a griddle until it is golden brown and crispy. Roti canai served with dalcha (a curry made with chana dal or yellow split peas), chicken curry, or mutton curry.
   
   2. Roti canai is a popular breakfast dish in Malaysia but it can be eaten at any time of the day. It is often sold by street vendors and is relatively cheap to buy.
   
   3. Roti canai has become popular in other countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, and India. It is sometimes known as roti paratha or roti prata in Singapore and India.
   
   4. There are many variations of roti canai such as murtabak (roticanai with fillings such as eggs, meat, and vegetables), nasi lemak (roti canai with coconut milk and sambal chili paste),and goreng pisang (fried banana roti canaindia).

Curry Laksa

Curry laksa is a Malaysian dish that is typically made with coconut milk, curry spices, and noodle soup. It is a popular street food in Malaysia and can be found at most hawker centers.

The dish is believed to have originated in the state of Penang, where there is a large Chinese community. Curry laksa was likely created as a way to combine Chinese and Indian flavors. The dish has since spread throughout Malaysia and can now be found all over the country.

Curry laksa is usually served with shrimp or chicken, and sometimes tofu, as well as bean sprouts, scallions, and cilantro. The soup is often garnished with lime wedges and chili peppers.

Sambal Okra

Sambal okra is a Malaysian dish that is commonly served as a side dish or as part of a main meal. It is made by cooking okra in a spicy sauce made with sambal paste, which is a chili-based paste. Sambal okra can be made mild or hot, depending on the amount of sambal paste used.

Char Kway Teow

Char kway teow is a popular Malaysian dish made with flat rice noodles, seafood, and Chinese sausage. The dish is typically stir-fried in a wok over high heat, and can be served with a variety of toppings such as bean sprouts, chilies, and shrimp paste.

Despite its name, char kway teow is thought to have originated in Indonesia. The dish was brought to Malaysia by Chinese immigrants during the 19th century, and has since become one of the most popular street foods in the country.

There are many different ways to make char kway teow, but the most common ingredients are rice noodles, prawns, cockles, bean sprouts, chives, egg, Tamarind paste , dark soy sauce , light soy sauce , sugar , and pepper. Char kway teow can also be made with chicken or beef instead of seafood.

To make char kway teow at home, start by stir-frying the noodles in a wok with oil until they are soft. Then add the prawns, cockles (or other seafood), bean sprouts, chives, and egg. Cook everything together for a few minutes until the seafood is cooked through. Finally, add the Tamarind paste, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, and pepper to taste. Serve hot with shrimp paste on the side (if desired).

Hainanese Chicken

Hainanese chicken is a Malaysian dish that is traditionally made with chicken that has been poached in water. The chicken is then served with a variety of dipping sauces, including soy sauce, chili sauce, and ginger sauce. Hainanese chicken is often served with rice or noodles, and it is a popular dish for both lunch and dinner.

FAQ

What are some of the most popular Malaysian dishes?

Some of the most popular Malaysian dishes include nasi lemak, roti canai, satay, rendang, achar, laksa, kuih talam, kuih kapit, and onde-onde. 

What is nasi lemak?

Nasi lemak is a dish of rice cooked in coconut milk and served with various toppings such as fried chicken, egg, and vegetables.

What is satay?

Satay are skewers of meat (usually chicken or beef) that are grilled or barbecued and served with a dipping sauce made from peanut butter and spices. 

What is rendang?

Rendang is a spicy meat dish that is slow-cooked in a mixture of coconut milk and spices until the meat becomes very tender and the sauce has thickened into a gravy-like consistency.

Last Thoughts

It’s been a pleasure sharing some of my favorite Malaysian dishes with you all! I hope you enjoyed learning about them and are inspired to try them out for yourselves.

As I mentioned before, there are endless possibilities when it comes to Malaysian cuisine, so this is by no means an exhaustive list. I encourage you to explore and find your own favorite dishes.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I’d love to hear from you!