malaysia food tourism

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Home » Southeast Asia » Malaysia » Best Dishes to Eat in Malaysia

Best Dishes to Eat in Malaysia

Malaysia is an expansive country with so much to explore. From the urban metropolis of Kuala Lumper to the dense rainforests of Borneo, you’ll find diversity in not just its landscapes, but its cuisine.

The country has adopted communities from all over the world, from India to Indonesia to China, and as such, it’s had a great impact on its food culture.

Malaysian food is a blend of tradition and innovation. It’s as diverse as it is delicious, so when you’re visiting Malaysia, you’ll be amazed by the amount of options you can try — whether you’re looking for street food or something more substantial.

If you’re not sure what to eat in Malaysia while visiting, you’ve come to the right place. This is a guide to the best cuisine in the country. Let’s take a look…

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What is Food in Malaysia like?

The best malaysian food, vegetarian dishes in malaysia, malaysian desserts, final thoughts on malaysian foods.

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It’s fair to say that one of the top reasons to visit Malaysia is its food. Because it’s home to a fair few ethnicities, the history and culture of the country are intertwined with its neighboring countries, as well as a few Asian and Arabic nations from further afield.

What does this mean for its food? It’s a combination of all the best of the best from all these countries!

The largest proportion of the population in Malaysia is Malay, followed by Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indian. Each has a unique set of traditions, distinguishing them from one another in subtle ways. 

As each community emigrated to Malaysia they didn’t just bring with them their own dishes, but their eating habits, etiquette, and spices used for flavoring.

Today Malaysian food can best be described as a diverse fusion of different ethnic groups. You’ll find no two dishes taste the same in Malaysia, and there’s something to tantalize every palate. 

When it comes to flavor, the dishes tend to be spicy and aromatic. Meals are seasoned with Southeast Asian herbs and spices such as lemongrass, chili paste, tamarind, and curry leaves. 

The most essential staple in Malaysian cuisine is rice! For the locals, it’s common to eat meat, vegetables, and rice with mouth-watering sauces and rich curries. The most common meat is chicken, beef, and mutton. It’s also important to note that Malaysia is a dominantly Muslim country, so the meat is often Halal.

Malaysians also love seafood, and they were once a greatly successful seafaring nation that dominated vast territories in Southeast Asia . If you’re visiting coastal towns in Malaysia, you’ll find plenty of variety of seafood dishes to choose from.

Malaysian Food Culture Across the Country

When outside communities emigrated to Malaysia, they set up residence in a particular area.

In Ipoh , Chinese ex-pats came to mine tin, and as such, the cuisine there is similar to what you might find in China. In Penang , you’ll find a large Indian community, and it’s the best place to go for spicy curries (and $1 samosas).

Malaysian Indians avoid eating beef as cows are considered sacred in India and their ancestors brought this custom with them when they immigrated to Malaysia. 

Across the country, you’ll find traditional Malay dishes, which all tend to be halal, rich in spices and herbs, a little spicy, and seasoned with turmeric (especially fish and seafood dishes). Coconut milk is often a staple ingredient. 

There’s also a different eating etiquette that any traveler to Malaysia should be aware of. It’s common in Malaysia for people to eat with their hands, but that doesn’t mean you have to. You can easily get your hands on some cutlery in restaurants. There’s also a real emphasis on sharing and preparing food together in Malaysia.  

Some restaurants will provide a pitcher of hot water in the center of the table and a bowl. This is so you can wash your dishes and your hands before eating.

Leaving a little bit of food on your plate instead of finishing the meal entirely indicates that you are full and the meal was satisfying. If you’re eating at someone’s house and you finish everything, expect more food to be offered to you! Of course, in a restaurant, you get what you’re given.

Malaysian Food Festivals and Street Food Markets

A celebration isn’t complete without food, so what better thing to celebrate than the food itself? 

The Pesta Nukenen festival is an extraordinary food festival that takes place in Bario, Malaysia. It lasts for three days at the end of July. 

The Bario Highlands is an exceptional region of Malaysia, and its community is one of the last inhabitants of the highland watersheds in Sarawak and East Malaysia who still use traditional farming methods. The festival celebrates the Kelabit cuisine with food, dancing, and a lot of joy!

Another aspect of Malaysian culture that you have to explore is the street food. Often found in vibrant markets, it’s the best way to try the most authentic Malaysian food — in all its colors and flavors! 

Street food is also incredibly cheap. It’s worth mentioning some of the best spots in Kuala Lumpur , since the capital is a hub for street food markets and culture. The mouthwatering smells, rows of steaming pans, and friendly locals will give you a real taste of Malaysia. 

The Jalan Alor street market is the best place to try street food for the first time in Malaysia. It’s a little less luxurious than fine dining, but the food is far better. The busy atmosphere and stalls invade all your senses at once! You have to add it to your Kuala Lumpur itinerary .

The Taman Connaught Market is another great market for street food. It’s the second longest street market in the country, spanning over 1.2 miles of road and boasting over 700 food stalls. It is the place to be if you want to try every Malaysian dish under the sun! It’s also the best place to get Thai food .

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Now you know what to expect from food in Malaysia, it’s time to take a look at the best meals in the country! From street food to vegetarian meals to desserts, these are the best dishes…

1. Mee goreng mamak

Brought over by Indian Muslims, this dish is a mix of yellow egg noodles, beef or chicken, shrimp, a handful of vegetables (usually potato, choy sum, and bean sprouts), eggs, and a dash of soya sauce for seasoning. It’s a great dish to eat when you’re out and about, and many street food vendors have it on their menu.

There is some chili in the dish, giving it a spicy kick, but it’s not as hot as other Malaysian dishes! The name of the dish is actually pretty self-explanatory, with “mee” meaning noodles in Malay and “goreng” translating to fried. Everything is tossed into a wok and fried up together, the smell is mouthwatering!

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, see if you can find a tofu mee goreng mamak instead of the chicken or beef variants.

2. Nasi lemak

Nasi lemak is amongst the most popular Malaysian foods, and is considered the country’s unofficial national dish; you have to try it if you want to get an insight into what the locals like! 

Traditionally a breakfast food, the dish is built around a mound of rice cooked in coconut milk. Sweet, starchy, and creamy, it’s the perfect staple for a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

The rice comes with an array of sides that vary from vendor to vendor and across different regions of Malaysia.

Some of the most popular accompaniments are hard-boiled eggs, meat curries (lamb, chicken, or beef does the job), seafood, and vegetables. Add a sprinkle of peanuts on top and some sambal chili sauce on the side and voila! 

3. Keropok lekor

This slightly wacky dish originated in the Terengganu region of Malaysia. It’s essentially a fish cracker or fish stick which is made with a combination of sago flour and fish and seasoned with salt and a little sugar. It’s got a distinct seafood smell and a slightly gray coloration. 

It might not sound very enticing, but it’s absolutely delicious! Keropok lekor is a little longer and chewier than other fish crackers like keropok rebus (which is steamed instead of fried), and keropok keping (which is thinner and crunchier).

Keropok lekor is tastiest when it’s dipped in chili sauce and fresh out of the fryer! 

4. Nasi kandar

Spicy and hearty, this is one of the most popular dishes in Penang. It’s easy to find, and many street vendors sell it! Originally from southern India, the dish was brought over by Indian Muslim traders and used to be sold out of baskets balanced across street vendors’ shoulders on a long pole.

The dish is essentially a bed of rice served with meat and vegetables cooked in a spicy curry sauce. It has a mouth-watering aroma and can be vegetarian or not – you can get okra and bitter gourd variations though it’s more common to find nasi kandar served with beef spleen, lamb, fried chicken, or fried prawns.

5. Murtabak

Murtabak is what you’d get if you created an omelet-pancake hybrid. The dough on the outside of the dish is made of ghee, flour, water, and oil, then pan-fried before being stuffed with filling and delicious ingredients that stock it out. 

Eggs are whisked with ingredients like chicken, beef, garlic, and onion. Once cooked, murtabak is chopped into pizza slices — making it the perfect on-the-go lunch or late-night snack! 

The dish originated from Arabia, where it’s called mutabbaq, and it’s as spicy as it is delicious — if you’re not great with spice give this dish a miss.

6. Goreng pisang

How do deep-fried and battered bananas sound to you? Absolutely delicious is the right answer!

The batter is made from cornstarch and water and then coated over the chunky strips of banana before being cooked to a golden crisp in a frying pan (with a lot of oil!). Chefs use pisang raja bananas as they have a much richer taste than regular bananas. 

Greasy, sweet, and hot — this is the perfect afternoon snack or midnight feast, you could also have it for breakfast!

7. Nasi goreng pattaya

Nasi goreng pattaya is essentially chicken fried rice wrapped in an omelet parcel or served with a fried egg. To top it off, chopped cucumbers, shallots, and keropok (basically fried crackers) are served on the side. 

It’s a popular Malaysian food that is eaten with chili sauce or ketchup (yes, ketchup). It’s one of those feel-good dishes you’ll keep coming back to. As ever, it’s tastiest when it’s prepared and bought from a Malay hawker stall.

There’s some debate over where satay originally came from, but it’s thought it likely originated in Indonesia in the 19th century. Wherever it came from, it’s definitely a favorite amongst locals and travelers alike in Malaysia! 

Chunky cubes of meat are seasoned with herbs and spices before being added to a thin skewer and grilled to perfection over a hot charcoal fire. You can get chicken, beef, or pork satay — whatever meat you opt for it’ll be cooked till it’s golden brown and looks finger-liking good! 

Now let’s talk about what to eat in Malaysia being vegan and vegetarian. There’s actually a surprising array of vegan and vegetarian dishes in the country, and food wise it’s one of the best destinations for vegans and vegetarians because of how delicious the food is and how accessible meat and dairy-free food is.

Here are some of the top vegan and vegetarian Malaysian dishes to get your tummy rumbling and your mouth watering! 

9. Mee rebus

This cheap and filling dish of egg noodles with curry sauce is an easy, delicious, and filling lunch or dinner choice. Your plate will come topped with crispy onions, tofu, a sprinkle of chilly, slices of lime you can drizzle over the top, and boiled eggs (if you’re vegan just ask them to skip that one)! 

The dish translates to boiled noodles, though it’s much more than that so the name doesn’t really do it justice. If you’re vegan you should also ask them to use rice or wheat noodles rather than the usual egg noodles. Tasty and hearty, mee rebus will warm you from the inside out.

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10. Tauhu sumbat

It’s no secret that tofu becomes a staple when you’re vegan and vegetarian and lucky for you Malaysians love the stuff! Tauhu sumbat is typically served as a side, snack, or appetizer, but eat enough of it and you’ll be full before you know it!

Thick chunks of tofu are fried until they’re golden brown, and then an opening is cut in the center, and vegetables are stuffed inside. It’s like a tofu sandwich – yum! It’s easy to find at night markets and being sold by street vendors, especially during the Ramadan season. 

Tauhu sumbat is served with a sweet and spicy peanut sambal sauce for dipping. 

11. Char kway teow

This dish is especially famous in Penang where it’s sold everywhere by hawkers! Flat rice noodles are stir-fried with bean sprouts, thinly chopped veggies, chives, and soy sauce. 

Vendors typically add seafood and sauce to the dish so make sure you specify you want it without or stop at a vegan or vegetarian-friendly restaurant to try chaw kway teow. The ingredients are cooked together in a Chinese wok. 

Brightly colored, with a charred aroma, and a mouthwatering taste, char kway teow will seduce all your senses. This light and flavorsome dish is a great on-the-go lunch or dinner, though it’s so delicious you might start craving it for breakfast too!

Next up, dessert! Make sure you leave enough room to sample some of Malaysia’s desserts, they’re just as elaborate and appetizing as their mains!

12. Kuih 

Kuih is a dessert with a long history. It was first introduced to Malaysia by pre-colonial Chinese settlers, the Peranakan people, who arrived during the reign of the Malay Sultanates.

As more ethnic groups and customs came into Malaysia, the dish was adapted and re-invented over and over again — making it a form of culinary art. 

The word kuih can describe anything from a pastry to a cookie, cake, or dumpling! It’s the country’s favorite sweet treat and a great snack to accompany with a cup of tea. 

One of the variants, kuih bahulu, is a small sponge-cake-like dessert that is made from flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder. But more exotic versions include creamy kuih tahi itik that is made from the white of duck eggs, sugar, pandan leaves, rice flour, and a few other ingredients.

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13. Ais kacang

This cold and refreshing dessert started off as a two-ingredient dish of shaved ice and sweet red beans. Over time more ingredients, like grass jelly or different fruit jellies and creamed corn have been added. 

The shaved ice is made up of a mix of condensed milk, colored syrup, and a native palm sugar called Gula Melaka. It’s the perfect dessert for a hot summer’s day — think of it as a Malaysian take on ice cream! 

14. Putu mayam 

Putu mayam is the Malaysian adaptation of a popular Southeast Asian dessert known as iddiyappam, which is originally from South India. The dish essentially consists of rice noodles made from rice flour and coconut milk, but you can add some toppings if you want to jazz it up a bit!

The noodles are wrapped in cloth and then steamed, giving them their thin and string-like shape. It’s already fairly sweet thanks to the coconut milk, but if you want to make it sweeter you can sprinkle some palm sugar (Gula Melaka) on top.

Sometimes the noodles are steamed alongside pandan leaves to make them aromatic and add to their flavor. Putu mayam is best chilled! 

This colorful and slightly strange-looking dessert could be described as Malaysia’s ice-cream sundae. There are lots of variants of cendol , like cendol pulut, cendol campur, and cendol bandung amongst others! If you want to try some unique food in Malaysia, start with a cendol.

The basic ingredients in a cendol are green rice flour jelly, palm sugar (Gula Melaka), coconut milk, and shaved ice. Different states add different toppings, sometimes (especially in Johor) there are red beans dotted across the top like sprinkles — strange but tasty!

Slurp it through a straw or eat it with a spoon, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a cendol! 

As you have probably discovered by now, Malaysian food is a seamless blend of multicultural Asian cuisines.

Whether you like the sound of a simple nasi lemak or a satay skewer dipped in delicious sauce, or a colorful and sweet kuih, Malaysia will satisfy every palate. 

Each dish has something bold, refreshing, and unique about it. And that’s what makes Malaysia a top destination for foodies!

Did one of these dishes make your stomach rumble? Let us know in the comments.

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Discover the Top 20 Must Try Dishes in Malaysia: A Culinary Adventure

Last updated on April 9th, 2024 at 05:48 am

Malaysia, a country celebrated for its cultural diversity, boasts a culinary scene that’s nothing short of enchanting. From bustling street markets in Kuala Lumpur to the vibrant hawker stalls of Johor Bahru, Malaysia’s gastronomic delights are an amalgamation of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous flavors. In this comprehensive top 20 must try dishes in Malaysia, we’re diving into the heart of Malaysian food culture, presenting the most popular Malaysian food that promise an explosion of flavors and a delightful journey for your taste buds.

Must Try Malaysian Food

1. nasi lemak.

Prepare to embark on a flavorful expedition that starts with the cherished Nasi Lemak. Picture a fragrant masterpiece, where every bite of the rice, cocooned in a delicate banana leaf, carries the essence of Malaysia’s culinary heritage. As you dive into the symphony of tastes created by the interplay of sambal’s spiciness, the crunch of peanuts, the savory notes of anchovies, the comfort of a boiled egg, and the refreshing touch of cucumber, you’ll be transported to the very soul of traditional Malaysian food culture. This dish is more than a meal; it’s an invitation to experience the rich tapestry of flavors that define a nation’s identity through its cuisine.

2. Roti Canai

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the irresistible allure of Roti Canai. Imagine biting into a buttery, flaky flatbread, its surface golden and crisp, while your senses are greeted by the rich aroma of fragrant dhal or savory curry. With each bite, the pillowy softness of the bread contrasts perfectly with the explosion of flavors from the dipping sauce, creating a harmonious dance of textures and tastes. Whether you’re seeking a comforting breakfast or a satisfying snack, Roti Canai promises a culinary experience that transports you to the heart of traditional Malaysian food culture, leaving you craving another unforgettable encounter with this delectable delight.

3. Char Kway Teow

Dive into the rich tradition of Malaysian cuisine with Char Kway Teow, an iconic stir-fried noodle masterpiece. Revel in the blend of succulent prawns, Chinese sausage, eggs, and crunchy bean sprouts, all harmonizing to create an unparalleled symphony of textures and flavors that define this beloved traditional Malaysian food.

Indulge in the popular Malaysia food scene with Satay, a dish that promises to satisfy your carnivorous cravings. Imagine succulent skewered meat, often featuring tender chicken or flavorful beef, meticulously cooked over an open flame to perfection. What makes this culinary delight truly irresistible is its accompaniment—a tantalizing peanut sauce that adds a burst of flavor to each bite. The captivating aroma alone is enough to transport your senses to the vibrant street food markets of Malaysia.

Immerse yourself in the culinary richness of Malaysia food culture with Rendang, a meticulously crafted slow-cooked beef stew. Enveloped in the luxurious embrace of coconut milk and an artful medley of spices, this dish embodies a symphony of tastes that echoes the essence of Malaysian gastronomy. The tender meat and intricately layered flavors of Rendang offer an exceptional journey into the heart of the nation’s culinary heritage.

6. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Delight in the exquisite harmony of flavors found in Hainanese Chicken Rice, a masterpiece of traditional Malaysian food. This dish elegantly pairs succulent poached chicken with fragrant rice, creating a symphony of tastes that’s beautifully complemented by the robust notes of savory chili sauce and the subtle kick of ginger paste. With each mouthful, you’ll uncover the artistry behind this culinary gem, experiencing the heart and soul of Malaysia’s rich gastronomic heritage.

Embace an extraordinary culinary adventure with a must try Malaysian dish: Laksa. This enticing spicy noodle soup boasts a unique variation across regions, each offering a distinct flavor profile. The harmonious blend of piquant broth, supple noodles, succulent seafood, and aromatic herbs creates an unforgettable taste journey. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of flavors as you savor every spoonful of Laksa, a dish that encapsulates the essence of Malaysia’s diverse and vibrant gastronomic scene.

8. Nasi Goreng

Immerse yourself in the enchanting symphony of flavors that is Nasi Goreng, a true embodiment of traditional Malaysian food culture. This delightful rendition of fried rice presents a harmonious blend of succulent prawns, tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a captivating array of aromatic spices. With each forkful, you’ll experience the rich tapestry of Malaysia’s culinary heritage, where every ingredient contributes to the crescendo of taste that defines Nasi Goreng as a beloved classic.

9. Mee Goreng

Discover the must try Malaysian dish: Mee Goreng. Indulge in the wok-tossed perfection of this stir-fried noodle delight, featuring succulent prawns, tofu, and a medley of veggies, all coated in a symphony of delectable sauces that tantalize your taste buds.

10. Kaya Toast

Experience the essence of Malaysia through Kaya Toast, a delectable treat featuring toasted bread layered with creamy coconut kaya jam. Elevate the delight by enjoying it with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of robust Malaysian coffee, adding to your exploration of this must try Malaysian dish.

11. Murtabak

Savor the exquisite flavors of Murtabak, a beloved street food and one of Malaysia’s most popular dishes. Delight in the tender stuffed pancake, generously packed with finely minced meat (commonly chicken, beef, or mutton), fragrant onions, and a blend of aromatic spices that create a symphony of tastes. Accompanied by a side of flavorful curry sauce, Murtabak promises an unforgettable culinary experience that embodies the essence of popular Malaysian food.

12. Hokkien Mee

Delight in the irresistible umami symphony of Hokkien Mee, an iconic dish that stands as a cornerstone of popular Malaysian food. Experience the perfect fusion of stir-fried egg noodles and rice noodles, intermingled with succulent prawns, tender squid, all bathed in a tantalizingly rich seafood broth. This culinary masterpiece captures the essence of Malaysian flavors and is a must-try for any food enthusiast.

13. Ayam Percik

Indulge in a tantalizing experience with a must try Malaysian dish: Ayam Percik. This culinary delight features succulent grilled chicken, expertly marinated in a fragrant blend of coconut milk, turmeric, lemongrass, and an array of aromatic spices. The outcome is a masterpiece of tenderness, juiciness, and captivating aromas that promises to elevate your dining experience to new heights.

14. Apam Balik

Experience the essence of Malaysian food culture through Apam Balik, a crispy folded pancake that encapsulates the nation’s flavor diversity. Revel in the delectable symphony of crushed peanuts, sugar, and sweet corn that fills this beloved street snack, creating an irresistible combination of sweetness and crunch. Every bite is a journey into the heart of Malaysian culinary craftsmanship, capturing the harmonious blend of tastes and textures that define the nation’s gastronomic tapestry.

15. Bubur Cha Cha

Immerse yourself in the soul-soothing embrace of Bubur Cha Cha, a time-honored dessert that embodies the heart of Malaysia’s food culture. Revel in the harmonious blend of textures as you savor the tender cubes of vibrant sweet potato and yam, luxuriating in a luscious coconut milk broth. Whether enjoyed warm on a cozy evening or chilled on a hot day, this traditional delight encapsulates the delicate interplay of flavors that exemplify the richness of Malaysian cuisine.

Quench your cravings with Cendol, a must try Malaysian dish that doubles as a refreshing dessert. This delightful treat features vibrant green rice flour jelly, luxuriating in a pool of creamy coconut milk and tantalizing palm sugar syrup. As if that weren’t enough, a generous crown of shaved ice tops off the creation, creating a symphony of coolness and flavors that embody the very essence of Malaysia.

Satiate your appetite by delving into the heart of Malaysia food culture with Rojak, an exceptional salad that seamlessly blends fruits and vegetables. The marriage of crisp textures and vibrant flavors is elevated by the tangy allure of shrimp paste and the nutty richness of peanut sauce. The result is a remarkable amalgamation of sweetness, savoriness, and a touch of spice that encapsulates the diverse taste palette that defines Malaysian cuisine.

18. Otak-Otak

Embark on a culinary adventure with Otak-Otak, an unmistakable must try Malaysian dish that offers a truly unique flavor profile. This seafood delight is crafted by skillfully encasing a zesty fish paste blend within banana leaves and grilling it to absolute perfection. The resulting masterpiece unveils a harmonious fusion of spices and seafood, capturing the essence of Malaysia’s diverse gastronomy in every savory bite.

19. Curry Laksa

Experience the captivating allure of a must try Malaysian dish: Curry Laksa. This exquisite noodle soup presents a symphony of flavors, unveiling complex layers that intrigue the palate. Envision savoring a fragrant coconut-based curry broth, which envelops a harmonious medley of ingredients including succulent chicken, velvety tofu, and tender shrimp. With each spoonful, you’ll discover the depth of Malaysia’s culinary artistry, as Curry Laksa’s fusion of tastes and textures creates an unforgettable and enticing dining experience.

Conclude your gastronomic journey with a daring touch, embracing Durian, hailed as the regal “king of fruits.” Revered by aficionados and sparking debates due to its robust aroma, this tropical treasure encapsulates the essence of Malaysia’s food culture. Unleash your taste buds to a distinctive flavor profile that embodies the nation’s culinary identity, making Durian an unparalleled emblem of Malaysian gastronomy.

Street food

Embark on a culinary journey through Malaysian street food, experiencing must try dishes in Malaysia that embody the country’s rich food culture. From iconic Nasi Lemak to beloved Char Kway Teow, these traditional delights offer a unique taste of Malaysia’s diverse flavors. Explore bustling markets and eateries, immersing yourself in the blend of influences shaping the nation’s cuisine. Indulge in this vibrant street food scene to savor the essence of popular Malaysia food and its captivating culinary heritage.

Conclusion of Must Try Dishes In Malaysia

In conclusion, the top 20 must try dishes in Malaysia encapsulate the essence of traditional Malaysian food and exemplify the country’s rich food culture. These beloved culinary creations are not just meals; they are gateways to experiencing the diverse tapestry of flavors that define Malaysia’s gastronomic landscape. From the iconic Nasi Lemak to the savory Char Kway Teow, each dish reflects the fusion of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and indigenous influences that shape popular Malaysia food choices. Embarking on a journey through these dishes means delving into the heart of Malaysia’s culinary heritage, a journey that celebrates taste, culture, and the shared love for incredible food. Malaysia Travel Guide

Are these dishes halal?

Yes, many Malaysian dishes are halal due to the diverse cultural and religious landscape.

Where can I find the best street food markets in Kuala Lumpur?

Head to Jalan Alor and Petaling Street for a vibrant selection of street food stalls offering a plethora of local delicacies.

Are there options for vegetarians and vegans in Malaysia?

Absolutely! Malaysia offers an array of vegetarian and vegan dishes, including Vegetable Curry and Tofu Satay.

What can I expect from the night markets and hawker stalls in Johor Bahru?

Johor Bahru’s night markets, like Pasar Karat, offer a bustling atmosphere where you can indulge in street food ranging from BBQ seafood to unique desserts.

What are some unique desserts to try in Malaysia?

Don’t miss out on Apam Balik, a crispy folded pancake, and Bubur Cha Cha, a colorful sweet potato and yam dessert.

Is it true that durian has a strong aroma?

Yes, durian is known for its distinctive and strong aroma, which some people find overpowering.

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Discover the 35 Best Malaysian Foods to Satisfy Your Cravings

Welcome to a culinary adventure through Malaysia! As a melting pot of diverse cultures and flavors, Malaysia is a food lover’s paradise. Malaysian food is a unique and diverse blend of flavors influenced by various cultures, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous Borneo cultures.

In addition, the country’s tropical climate and abundant natural resources make it one of the world’s most exciting culinary destinations. From street food stalls to upscale restaurants , Malaysia offers a tempting array of dishes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds.

If you’re planning a trip to this Southeast Asian gem or simply looking to explore Malaysian cuisine from the comfort of your own home, you’re in for a treat. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a gastronomic journey as we unveil the 35 best Malaysian foods to try. So, get ready to indulge in a diverse tapestry of flavors, textures, and aromas that are sure to leave you craving for more. 

Let’s dive into the culinary wonders of Malaysia and discover the must-try dishes that will leave you hungry for a taste of Malaysia’s rich food culture. Today, we will explore the different types of Malaysian food, their origins, and the unique flavors that make them so popular. Also, we will give you an insight into Malaysian traditional food, the country’s food culture, and the history of Malaysian street food.

After all, for a great gastronomic adventure, one must know about the origin of the food they are eating and how these foods are made. After reading this article, you will have a broad idea about which Malaysian foods you must try. 

WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE?

Malaysian Traditional Food

Malaysian traditional food is influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures and has evolved over time to include unique and distinctive flavors and ingredients. As a result, it has a rich history and diverse origins.

The indigenous people of Malaysia have been consuming rice, fish, and other seafood for thousands of years, while the Malay culture introduced a range of herbs and spices to the cuisine, including lemongrass, turmeric, and ginger.

Chinese and Indian cultures also made significant contributions to Malaysian cuisine, with Chinese migrants bringing noodles, stir-fries, and soups and Indian migrants introducing curries, spices, and rice dishes.

Over time, these various cultural influences have blended together to create a unique and distinctive Malaysian cuisine. Many traditional dishes have evolved over the years to incorporate a range of ingredients and flavors and have become an important part of Malaysian culture and identity. Today, Malaysian traditional food is celebrated and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike and continues to evolve as new ingredients and techniques are introduced.

Some of the most popular traditional dishes include Nasi Lemak, a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and served with a variety of accompaniments; Rendang, a slow-cooked spicy beef or chicken dish that is rich in flavor; Laksa, a spicy noodle soup that comes in many variations across the country; and Satay, skewered and grilled meat that is marinated in a blend of spices and served with a spicy peanut sauce.

Other traditional dishes include Roti Canai, Char Kway Teow, and Curry Laksa. Malaysian traditional food is often made with a variety of herbs and spices, such as lemongrass, turmeric, and ginger, and incorporates a range of ingredients, including seafood, coconut milk, and rice. 

Desserts such as Kuih and Ais Kacang also play an important role in traditional Malaysian food, with their sweet and colorful flavors providing a delicious finish to any meal. Overall, Malaysian traditional food is a reflection of the country’s rich cultural heritage and its diverse culinary traditions. From street food stalls to high-end restaurants, the country offers a diverse range of flavors and ingredients that are sure to delight any food lover.

Food Culture in Malaysia

One of the best ways to experience Malaysia’s food culture is through a food tour. Food tours typically take visitors to local markets, street food stalls, and restaurants to sample a range of dishes and learn about the ingredients and techniques used to prepare them.

Some popular food tours include a visit to Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Alor street food market, where visitors can sample a range of dishes, including satay, nasi lemak, and Char Kway Teow; a visit to Penang’s famous hawker centers, where visitors can sample dishes such as Assam Laksa, Hokkien Mee, and Apom Balik; and a tour of Malacca’s historic food markets, where visitors can try dishes such as Nyonya Laksa and Chicken Rice Balls.

In addition to food tours, Malaysia also offers a range of cooking classes and culinary experiences. Visitors can learn how to make traditional dishes such as Rendang, Laksa, and Nasi Lemak and discover the secrets behind the country’s unique flavors and techniques.

Cooking classes are available in various locations across the country, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Malacca. With its diverse range of flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques, Malaysia offers a unique and unforgettable culinary experience that is sure to delight the senses.

History of Malaysian Street Food

Street food has a long and rich history in Malaysia , dating back to the early 20th century. In the early days, street food vendors would set up their stalls along the roadsides, selling simple dishes such as rice porridge, noodle soups, and fried rice. These dishes were popular among the working-class population, who were looking for affordable and convenient food options.

Over time, street food in Malaysia has evolved and become more diverse, with vendors introducing new and innovative dishes that reflect the country’s multicultural heritage. Chinese migrants introduced popular dishes such as Hokkien Mee, Char Kway Teow, and Satay, while Indian migrants brought in curries, roti canai, and tandoori chicken. Malay culture also contributed to the street food scene with dishes such as Nasi Lemak, Rendang, and Laksa.

In the 1970s and 1980s, street food became even more popular in Malaysia, with vendors setting up in night markets and hawker centers across the country. These hawker centers offered a wide variety of dishes, with vendors specializing in specific types of food, such as Char Kway Teow or Hokkien Mee.

Today, street food remains an important part of Malaysian culture and cuisine. Visitors and locals alike flock to night markets and hawker centers to sample the country’s diverse range of street food offerings. While the dishes may have evolved and become more complex over time, the essence of Malaysian street food remains the same: affordable, flavorful, and convenient dishes that reflect the country’s multicultural heritage.

 Best Malaysian Foods to Try in 2023

1. nasi lemak.

Nasi Lemak is one of Malaysia’s most popular dishes, consisting of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and served with various toppings such as sambal (a spicy chili paste), fried anchovies, sliced cucumber, and boiled or fried egg. 

The dish is believed to have originated in the Malay community, and it is a staple breakfast food in the country. Nasi Lemak is also served with a variety of side dishes such as beef or chicken rendang (a slow-cooked curry), acar (a type of pickled vegetable), and fried chicken.

2. Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow is a popular Malaysian street food dish made with flat rice noodles stir-fried with soy sauce, chili, shrimp paste, cockles, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts, and eggs. It is a beloved street food that is known for its smoky flavor and rich, savory taste. It is often garnished with a sprinkle of chopped chives and sometimes a squeeze of lime, which adds a fresh and tangy note to balance the richness of the dish. 

The dish is believed to have originated in the Hokkien Chinese community and is widely enjoyed throughout Malaysia. Char Kway Teow is a perfect example of Malaysia’s diverse culinary culture, as it combines Chinese, Malay, and Indian flavors. If you are a fan of noodle dishes, Char Kway Teow is a must-try.

Satay is a popular grilled meat dish served with peanut sauce and ketupat (compressed rice cake). The meat is typically marinated in a mixture of turmeric, lemongrass, and other spices, then skewered and grilled over charcoal. Satay is often served with a side of peanut sauce, which is made by blending roasted peanuts with spices, tamarind, and other flavorings.

Satay is believed to have originated in Java, Indonesia, but it has become an iconic Malaysian food, enjoyed in street food stalls and high-end restaurants alike. It holds cultural significance as a communal food that is often shared among friends and family during gatherings and celebrations.

Laksa is a spicy noodle soup dish that originated in the Peranakan community, a fusion of Chinese and Malay cultures. The dish is made with a fragrant soup base, typically made from fish or chicken stock, coconut milk, and spices such as lemongrass, galangal, and chili. The noodles are typically rice noodles, and the dish is served with various toppings, such as prawns, tofu puffs, and fish balls. 

There are many variations of Laksa throughout Malaysia, each with its unique blend of spices and flavors. The noodles used in Laksa can vary depending on the regional variation. Commonly used noodles include rice noodles or vermicelli, which are soaked in hot water until softened and then added to the soup. The noodles absorb the flavorful broth, creating a deliciously slurp-worthy texture. It is a beloved street food that can be found in hawker centers, food stalls, and restaurants. 

5. Roti Canai

Roti Canai is a flaky, crispy flatbread that is popular in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. The bread is made with flour, water, and ghee, and it is typically served with dhal (a lentil curry) or a spicy curry sauce. 

Roti Canai is a staple breakfast food in Malaysia and is often eaten with a cup of hot tea or coffee. It is also a common street food in Malaysia, where it is often prepared and cooked in front of customers at food stalls, adding to its appeal as a popular street food option.

6. Nasi Kandar

Nasi Kandar is a flavorful Malaysian rice dish that originated in Penang. It consists of steamed rice served with various side dishes such as curries, fried chicken, and vegetables. The rich and aromatic curry that is used to flavor the dishes is what sets Nasi Kandar apart.

The curry is made with a blend of spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and star anise, combined with coconut milk and a variety of herbs, creating a complex and robust flavor profile.

The dish is typically eaten with the hands, and it is popular among Malaysians of all ethnicities. Nasi Kandar is often served 24 hours a day, making it a popular late-night food option. It is not only a beloved local dish but also a culinary phenomenon that has gained worldwide recognition. 

7. Mee Goreng

Mee Goreng , also known as Mie Goreng, it is a popular Malaysian fried noodle dish that is typically served with shrimp, tofu, and vegetables. The dish is made by stir-frying noodles in a wok with soy sauce, chili, and other spices.

The noodles are usually tossed in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce made with a blend of spices and seasonings, such as chili paste, tomato ketchup, soy sauce, and tamarind paste. 

Mee Goreng is often served with a fried egg on top, and it is a popular street food dish in Malaysia. In Malaysia, Mee Goreng may be spicier, with the addition of belacan (a fermented shrimp paste) and served with a side of lime and sliced red chilies for an extra kick.

In Singapore, Mee Goreng is often served with fresh calamansi lime and crispy pork lard for added texture and flavor. So, variations of the dish can be found across Southeast Asia, each with its own unique twist.

Rojak is a fruit and vegetable salad dish that is popular in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. The dish typically includes a mix of tropical fruits such as mango, pineapple, and papaya, along with vegetables such as cucumber and bean sprouts.

The ingredients are tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce made from tamarind, chili, and palm sugar and topped with roasted peanuts. Rojak is a refreshing and healthy snack or appetizer and is a must-try for anyone visiting Malaysia.

9. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice is a popular Malaysian food that originated in the Hainan province of China. The dish consists of poached or steamed chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and various dipping sauces such as chili sauce and ginger sauce.

The clear chicken broth that is served on the side is made from simmering chicken bones, along with ginger, garlic, and sometimes other aromatics, to create a flavorful and comforting soup that complements the chicken and rice perfectly.

Hainanese Chicken Rice is a staple food in Malaysia and is enjoyed by Malaysians of all ethnicities. The dish is appreciated for its delicious taste and cultural significance. Over the years, it has evolved and adapted to local tastes in different regions. For example, in Thailand, a variation known as Khao Man Gai is popular, with its own unique twist on the dish.

10. Teh Tarik

Teh Tarik is a popular Malaysian tea beverage that is made by pouring hot tea back and forth between two cups, creating a frothy, creamy texture. The tea is typically sweetened with condensed milk, and it is a popular drink in Malaysia’s kopitiams (traditional coffee shops).

The art of making Teh Tarik involves a theatrical and skillful process of pouring the tea from one cup to another at a great height, creating a frothy and bubbly texture as the tea is aerated and mixed with the condensed milk. 

Beyond its popularity as a daily beverage, Teh Tarik has become a symbol of Malaysian culture and identity. It is often associated with the warm hospitality and friendliness of Malaysians, as it is commonly offered as a gesture of welcome and hospitality to guests. So, it is a must-try for anyone visiting Malaysia and is the perfect accompaniment to any Malaysian meal.

Durian is a tropical fruit that is famous in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. The fruit has a distinct odor, which some people describe as being like rotting meat, but it has a creamy, custard-like texture and a sweet flavor. Due to the intense odor, it is banned in many public places, including hotels, airports, and public transportation.

However, the taste of Durian is complex and unique, with a rich and creamy texture that resembles custard or butter. Despite its controversial reputation, Durian remains a cherished fruit in many Southeast Asian countries, where it is considered a cultural icon and an important part of local cuisine. It is often used in Malaysian desserts, such as durian ice cream, and it is a must-try for anyone visiting Malaysia.

12. Cendol 

Cendol is a popular Malaysian dessert made with shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and green jelly noodles made from rice flour. The dessert is often topped with red beans, corn, and other toppings, and it is a refreshing and sweet treat on a hot day. The dessert has a unique texture that is gained due to the use of green pandan-flavored rice flour jelly strips served in a bed of shaved ice, sweetened coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup.

All the ingredients used in Cnedol create a harmonious balance of flavors and textures that make it a truly special treat. It is a popular dessert in Malaysia, and it is often served at hawker centers and street food stalls. It has a special place in the hearts of those who have experienced its unique taste and texture.

13. Murtabak

Murtabak is a popular dish in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. It is a type of stuffed pancake that is typically filled with minced meat, onions, eggs, and spices and then fried until crispy. Ver time, the dish has evolved and adapted to local tastes and ingredients, resulting in various versions across the region.

To make murtabak, a thin layer of dough is stretched and filled with the meat mixture. The dough is then folded into a square or triangular shape and fried until golden brown. The filling can be customized to include different types of meat, such as beef, chicken, or lamb, and sometimes vegetables, such as carrots and cabbage, are added.

Spices such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric give the dish its distinctive flavor. It’s crispy exterior and flavorful filling make it a popular choice for people of all ages.

14. Roti Jala

Roti Jala means “net bread” in Malay, and it refers to the lacy appearance of the thin, crepe-like pancakes that make up the dish. It is made from a simple batter that consists of flour, eggs, and coconut milk. The crepes are cooked on one side until they are slightly browned, and then they are flipped over and cooked on the other side. Once they are cooked, the crepes are rolled up and served with curry or other spicy dishes.

Roti Jala is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, a side dish, or even as a dessert. One of the unique aspects of Roti Jala is its delicate texture. The crepes are thin and light, with a slightly chewy texture that is perfect for soaking up spicy sauces.

The addition of coconut milk to the batter gives the crepes a slightly sweet flavor that complements the spiciness of the curries. It is a popular street food in Malaysia and Singapore, and it is often sold by vendors who make it fresh on the spot.

15. Hokkien Mee

Hokkien Mee has two variations – the Singaporean version and the Malaysian version. The Singaporean version is often referred to as Hokkien Prawn Mee and is made with a prawn-based broth, while the Malaysian version is made with a dark soy sauce-based broth.

It is made from yellow noodles and rice vermicelli that are stir-fried with a variety of ingredients and a flavorful stock.

In both versions, the noodles and vermicelli are stir-fried with ingredients such as shrimp, squid, pork, egg, bean sprouts, and garlic. The stock is then added to the wok and cooked until it is absorbed by the noodles.

The Singaporean version is garnished with prawns, while the Malaysian version is garnished with pork slices and crispy fried shallots. Hokkien Mee is often served with sambal chili paste and a squeeze of lime, which adds a tangy and spicy flavor to the dish. It is commonly found in hawker centers and is a popular street food in Singapore and Malaysia.

16. Ramly burger

Ramly Burger is a popular street food in Malaysia that is made using a special patty that is wrapped in a thin omelet, topped with a variety of sauces, and served in a soft bun. It has gained a cult following over the years.

The patty used in a Ramly Burger is made from a mixture of beef, chicken, or a combination of both and is shaped into a rectangular patty. It is then marinated in a blend of spices and sauces, giving it a flavorful taste.

One of the unique aspects of Ramly Burger is the way it is prepared. The patty is grilled and wrapped in the omelet right in front of the customer, making it a fun and interactive experience. Over the years, Ramly Burger has become a cultural icon in Malaysia and is often referred to as the “national burger” of Malaysia. It is a popular late-night snack and can be found at food stalls and food trucks throughout the country.

It is a type of dessert typically made from rice flour, glutinous rice, or tapioca flour and is often steamed, fried, or baked. Kuih comes in many different shapes, colors, and flavors, and they are often made with ingredients such as coconut milk, pandan leaves, palm sugar, and various types of fruits and nuts.

Some popular types of kuih include kuih lapis, ondeh-ondeh, kuih talam, kuih ketayap, and kuih seri muka. Kuih lapis, also known as kuih lapis legit, is a layered cake made from glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and spices. It is typically baked in a rectangular tin and is often served during festive occasions such as Hari Raya and Chinese New Year.

It is a type of fresh spring roll that is made with a thin, crepe-like wrapper filled with a variety of ingredients, such as jicama (also known as yam bean), carrots, tofu, bean sprouts, shrimp, and lettuce. It is a popular snack or light meal, often eaten with sweet and spicy sauces. The filling for Popiah is typically prepared by cooking the ingredients with seasonings such as garlic, soy sauce, and oyster sauce and then rolled up in a thin wrapper. 

The wrapper is made from a mixture of wheat flour, water, and sometimes eggs and is cooked on a flat pan until it is thin and slightly crispy. The Popiah is then filled with the cooked ingredients and rolled up tightly.

It is often cut into smaller pieces and served with a variety of sauces, such as chili sauce, hoisin sauce, and sweet sauce. Some versions of Popiah also include chopped peanuts or crispy bits of fried wonton skins for added texture and flavor.

19. Rendang

Rendang is a rich and flavorful meat dish that originated from the Minangkabau ethnic group in Indonesia. It is a popular dish in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Rendang is typically made with beef, although chicken and lamb versions are also common.

The dish is made by slow-cooking meat with a mixture of coconut milk, spices, and herbs until the sauce has thickened and the meat is tender and flavorful. The key to good rendang is the use of a variety of spices and herbs, such as turmeric, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. These ingredients are toasted and ground into a paste before being added to the cooking pot.

Rendang is often served with rice or other starchy dishes, such as roti canai or lontong. It is a popular dish for special occasions such as weddings and festive celebrations and is also enjoyed as a comfort food by many. The dish can be quite spicy, but the level of heat can be adjusted based on personal preference.

20. Maggi Goreng

It is a stir-fried noodle dish made with Maggi instant noodles, which are widely available in many parts of the world. Maggi Goreng is a quick and easy dish to prepare, making it a popular choice for busy people.

The dish is made by cooking the instant noodles in boiling water until they are tender and then stir-frying them with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, meat, seafood, and eggs. Common vegetables used in Maggi Goreng include onions, carrots, cabbage, and bean sprouts. Meat and seafood options can vary, but chicken, beef, and shrimp are often used.

The dish is flavored with a variety of seasonings, such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili sauce, and curry powder, to give it a spicy and savory taste.

It is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit a variety of tastes and dietary restrictions. Vegetarian versions are available, and the level of spiciness can be adjusted based on personal preference.

21. Nasi Kerabu

Nasi Kerabu is a traditional dish from the East Coast of Malaysia, particularly popular in the states of Kelantan and Terengganu. It is a rice dish that is colored blue with butterfly pea flowers and is served with a variety of accompaniments that provide a balance of flavors and textures.

The rice used in Nasi Kerabu is typically cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves, which gives it a fragrant and slightly sweet flavor. The blue color is achieved by soaking the rice in water infused with butterfly pea flowers, which is a common ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine. The result is a vibrant blue color that is both visually appealing and flavorful.

The combination of the fragrant blue rice and the variety of flavorful accompaniments make Nasi Kerabu a beloved dish among Malaysians. It is a dish that is often associated with special occasions, such as weddings or religious festivals, and is a staple in many Malaysian households. The dish can also be found in many local restaurants and food stalls.

22. Ais kacang

Ais kacang is a refreshing and colorful dessert that is perfect for hot and humid days.

The dessert is made with a variety of ingredients, including shaved ice, red beans, corn, grass jelly, and other fruits such as lychee and jackfruit. The mixture is then topped with a variety of syrups, such as rose syrup, condensed milk, and gula melaka (palm sugar syrup). The result is a delicious and colorful dessert that is both sweet and refreshing.

In addition to being a popular dessert, ais kacang is also a cultural icon in Malaysia. It is a dessert that is enjoyed by people of all ages and is often sold by street vendors and in local markets. The dessert has become so popular that it is now also available in many restaurants and cafes.

23. Mee Goreng Mamak

Mee Goreng Mamak is a popular dish in Malaysia that originated from the Mamak community, who are Indian Muslims in Malaysia. Mamak stalls or restaurants are a common sight in Malaysia, especially in urban areas, where they serve a range of Indian-Muslim cuisine.

Mee Goreng Mamak is essentially stir-fried yellow noodles cooked with a spicy tomato-based sauce, vegetables, and protein such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu. The dish is also seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs, including curry powder, chili powder, and cumin. The sauce is usually cooked in a large wok over high heat, resulting in a smoky and fragrant flavor.

One of the defining characteristics of Mee Goreng Mamak is the use of “Maggi” seasoning, a popular brand of instant noodle seasoning in Malaysia. This gives the dish a unique and distinctive flavor that sets it apart from other noodle dishes.

It can be found at Mamak stalls, street food markets, and even some high-end restaurants.

24. Nasi Dagang

A flavorful rice dish made from a combination of glutinous and regular rice, cooked with coconut milk and served with fish curry and various side dishes.

The rice used in Nasi Dagang is soaked in coconut milk and water, then steamed until fully cooked. This gives the rice a rich, creamy flavor and a slightly sticky texture. The fish curry that accompanies the rice is made with a variety of local ingredients, including fish, coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, and chilies. The curry is thick and fragrant, with a spicy kick that complements the sweetness of the rice.

In Terengganu and Kelantan, Nasi Dagang is a popular breakfast dish, but it can also be enjoyed throughout the day as a main meal. It is commonly sold at roadside stalls and markets, where vendors serve it fresh and piping hot.

25. Ayam Percik

Ayam Percik is a popular grilled chicken dish made by marinating chicken in a blend of spices and coconut milk, then grilling it over an open flame until it is tender and slightly charred. Ayam Percik is often served with a variety of side dishes, including rice, cucumber slices, and a sweet and spicy peanut sauce.

The peanut sauce is made by blending roasted peanuts with chili, garlic, and palm sugar, resulting in a thick and creamy sauce with a slightly sweet and spicy flavor.

Ayam Percik is a beloved dish in Malaysia and can be found at roadside stalls, night markets, and restaurants throughout the country. Its blend of spices and creamy coconut milk make it a flavorful and satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion.

26. Cendawang Goreng

Cendawan Goreng , also known as Fried Mushrooms, features deep-fried mushrooms as the star ingredient. It is made using button mushrooms, which are coated in a batter, deep-fried until golden brown, and then served with a dipping sauce.

The dipping sauce can vary but commonly includes ingredients such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, chili sauce, or mayonnaise. The dipping sauce adds an extra layer of flavor and enhances the overall taste of the dish.

The crispy, savory, and addictive nature of Cendawan Goreng makes it a favorite among mushroom lovers and those who appreciate deep-fried delicacies. There are a number of variations of the dish that include different types of mushrooms, such as shiitake or oyster mushrooms, for a more intense flavor. Regardless of the variations, Cendawan Goreng remains a popular and beloved dish that is cherished for its crispy, flavorful, and addictive nature.

27. Asam Pedas

Asam Pedas is a traditional spicy and tangy stew that is known for its bold and robust flavors. It is a popular dish that is typically made with fish or seafood cooked in a tangy tamarind-based broth with a medley of aromatic herbs and spices. The key ingredient in Asam Pedas is tamarind, which lends the dish its characteristic sourness.

The sourness of the tamarind is balanced with other ingredients, such as sugar or palm sugar, to create a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. The dish is typically served hot with steamed rice, and the broth is often ladled generously over the rice to infuse it with the delicious flavors of the stew.

28. Kaya Toast

Kaya Toast is a beloved breakfast and snack item that consists of thick slices of toasted bread that are spread with kaya, a creamy coconut, and pandan jam and often served with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of hot coffee or tea. Kaya Toast is a nostalgic and iconic dish that holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike.

The bread used for Kaya Toast is typically white bread, and it is often toasted to a golden brown, creating a crispy and slightly crunchy texture. The slices of bread are then generously slathered with the kaya, creating a deliciously sweet and fragrant layer. 

In addition to the kaya and bread, Kaya Toast is often served with soft-boiled eggs, which are a perfect complement to the sweet and creamy kaya. The eggs are typically cooked so that the whites are set, but the yolks remain runny, and they are usually seasoned with a dash of soy sauce and white pepper for added flavor.

Dipping the crispy Kaya Toast into the luscious yolk creates a harmonious and satisfying combination of flavors and textures. Kaya Toast is often enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee or tea, which makes it a perfect breakfast or snack option. It is not only a delicious and satisfying dish, but it also holds cultural significance in Singapore and Malaysia.

29. Wonton Mee

Wonton Mee is a versatile dish that is a delicious combination of egg noodles, wontons (dumplings), and a flavorful sauce, often served with various toppings. The key component of Wonton Mee is the egg noodles, which are thin and springy, typically made from wheat flour and egg.

The noodles are usually cooked al dente, giving them a slightly firm and chewy texture that pairs well with the other ingredients in the dish. The noodles are often tossed in a savory sauce that adds depth and richness to the dish.

It can be served dry, with the noodles and wontons tossed in sauce, or with a clear soup on the side. It can also be served with broth-based soup, where the noodles and wontons are submerged in a flavorful soup, creating a comforting and satisfying meal, especially on rainy days or when one is feeling under the weather.

It is a comforting and flavorful dish by people of all ages, and it is commonly found in hawker centers, food courts, and street food stalls in Southeast Asia. 

30. Pisang Goreng

Pisang Goreng is a delightful treat that has captured the hearts and taste buds of locals and tourists alike with its crispy exterior and sweet, soft interior. Its main ingredient is bananas. Ripe bananas are typically used, as they have a natural sweetness that intensifies when fried.

The bananas are usually sliced lengthwise or crosswise, dipped in a simple batter, and then deep-fried until golden brown. It is typically served hot and fresh straight out of the fryer. 

It is commonly enjoyed as a snack, a dessert, or a teatime treat. In some places, it is also served with a side of dipping sauce, such as chocolate, caramel, or condensed milk, to add an extra layer of flavor to the already delicious fried bananas. It is a cultural icon that holds a special place in the hearts and palates of many Malaysians. 

Gulai is a culinary heritage that reflects the diversity and richness of Indonesian cuisine. However, it is also found in Malaysia and Singapore. It is generally made with meat, such as beef, lamb, chicken, or fish, although there are also vegetable and tofu variations for vegetarians and vegans. It is a type of spicy and rich stew whose spice paste is made from a combination of various aromatic spices.

It is often served with steamed rice or other staple foods, such as roti canai or lontong (compressed rice cakes), to help absorb the flavorful curry sauce. It is typically garnished with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or Indonesian bay leaves, to add a burst of freshness and aroma to the dish.

32. Roti John

Roti John , a dish popular for its bold flavors, is a harmonious blend of spices, tangy sauces, and crispy bread that creates a delightful explosion of taste and texture in every bite. It is a sandwich that is made with a baguette-like bread, filled with a spiced meat mixture, and then pan-fried until crispy and golden brown.

The sandwich is served with a variety of sauces, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and chili sauce, which add a tangy and creamy contrast to the spiced meat filling. Other common toppings include sliced onions, cucumbers, and lettuce, which add crunch and freshness to the sandwich.

33. Mee Rebus

Mee Rebus is a savory noodle dish known for its combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. The name translates to “boiled noodles” in Malay, which refers to the method of cooking the noodles. It consists of yellow noodles that are boiled until they are tender and then topped with a thick and aromatic gravy made with a blend of spices, shrimp paste, and sweet potatoes. 

The savory gravy is made of onions, garlic, dried shrimp, and spices such as curry powder, turmeric, and chili paste. Sweet potatoes are also used to thicken the gravy and add a natural sweetness to balance the flavors. The dish has regional variations in Malaysia, with different states and cities putting their own spin on it.

34. Kek Batik

Kek Batik refers to a type of cake that has a distinctive pattern that resembles the traditional Malaysian art of batik. It is also known as “chocolate biscuit cake” and is a popular no-bake dessert that originated in Malaysia. The key ingredient of this cake is plain tea biscuits or digestive biscuits. The biscuits are crushed and assembled at the base of the cake to provide a crunchy texture. 

Kek Batik is made by combining crushed biscuits, cocoa powder, and sweetened condensed milk, which are then chilled until firm and sliced into squares or bars. The resulting cake has a fudgy consistency and is often garnished with a dusting of cocoa powder or grated chocolate on top. It is commonly served as a sweet treat for guests and family members during any special occasion. 

35. Apam Balik

Apam Balik is a traditional sweet pancake that is a popular Malaysian food. It is equally popular in India as well as Singapore. In Indonesia, it is known as “Terang Bulan,” which means “bright moon”. This delightful dessert is made from a batter of flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder and is usually cooked on a hot griddle.

It is filled with a variety of sweet and savory fillings such as peanuts, sweetcorn, chocolate, and bananas. The pancake is folded in half and served warm, giving it a soft, fluffy texture with a crispy outer layer. The toppings are generously spread across the surface of the pancake, giving it a sweet and crunchy taste that will tantalize your taste buds.

The origin of Apam Balik can be traced back to the Malay Archipelago, where it was a popular street food among the locals. It is commonly sold by street vendors or in food markets and is often enjoyed as a snack or dessert after a meal. If you are looking for a sweet and satisfying treat, you should try this dessert. 

Whether you’re a fan of spicy curries, mouthwatering noodles, aromatic rice dishes, or delectable desserts, there’s something for everyone in Malaysia. With this list of the 35 best Malaysian foods to try, you’ll have a culinary adventure that will leave you craving for more.

So, don’t miss out on these gastronomic delights when you visit Malaysia, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey like no other! Selamat Makan! (Bon Appétit!)

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Welcome to Malaysia

An asian pout pourri.

Malaysia brings together a little bit of everything that the Asian continent can offer. Cosmopolitan cities? You’ll find it there. Heavenly beaches? It also has. Forests and wildlife? In droves. Diversified cuisine? Certainly. Of all the ways to explore the country, one of the best is starting with gastronomy. The typical Malaysian dishes are a portrait of the mix of people and traditions that live there. If you want to start with the classics, go straight to Nasi Lemak, the country’s symbol dish. It is proof of how the Chinese, Indian and Indian cultures coexist in perfect harmony: rice is cooked in coconut milk and served with pepper sauce, anchovies and peanuts. Hit a curiosity? I bet you do!

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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14 Must-Visit Food Gems Across Malaysia For Your Next Road Trip (2023 Guide)

Plan a culinary trip for your next holiday.

Malaysia has one of the best food scenes in the world, that’s probably why we are all practically foodies! With a mouthwatering selection of cuisines that spread across the country reflecting our multi-ethnic, it’s hard to put down our forks and spoons for a great makan time every now and then! If you’re up for a gastronomic adventure, this one’s for you! 

A Makan Adventure Across Malaysia With BHPetrol 

Whether it’s far or near, BHPetrol provides everything you need from fuels and lubricants, goods, and non-food items to facilities like prayer rooms and toilets that would definitely meet your trip needs!

Did you know that there are a lot of hidden food gems near BHPetrol station throughout Malaysia to satisfy your food cravings? From the popular Nasi Kandar and Nasi Campur to local fare and Western cuisine with a local twist, we’ve compiled this list of all the Malaysian gems you can’t miss on your trip! 

Klang Valley 

1. kanna curry house.

Touted as one of the best banana leaf rice restaurants in Klang Valley, Kanna Curry House is certainly a must-visit! Here, you can find a splendid array of condiments like vegetables, dried chillies, and pickles with your rice and dishes. Pair it with the hearty curry, and you’ll undoubtedly be delighted! 

Address: 123, Jalan Gasing, PJS10, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Opening Hour: 7am-9pm (Daily)

Status: Muslim-friendly, ingredients sourced from Halal suppliers

2. Restoran Sri Karak

This restaurant serves authentic local food, famous for its curry fish head, dry curry chicken, and more! Don’t forget to savour its Sang Har Mee too! 

Address: 17, Jalan 52/8, Bandar Baru Petaling Jaya, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Opening Hour: 10:30am-9:30pm (Mon-Sat), 10:30am-2:30pm & 5:30-9:30pm (Sun)

3. Yap Kee Banana Leaf

This Chinese Kopitiam in Klang has been selling lip-smacking banana leaf meals since 1923! With a tiny yellow signboard displaying “Yap Kee” on the front, this restaurant is where you go for fish or mutton curry. If you’re looking for a simple fare worth a try, Yap Kee Banana Leaf is it.  

Address: 26, Jalan Besar, Kawasan 1, 41000 Klang, Selangor

Opening Hour: 11:30am-4pm (Daily)

Status: Pork-free

4. Syed Bistro Petaling Jaya

A house of Briyani Bukhara, Syed Bistro in PJ is where you go for award-winning Briyani, mouth-watering Nasi Kandar, Tandoori and many more Malaysian delights. Syed Bistro has been known for decades for its quality, taste, and experience; they sure deliver! 

Address: 13-15, Jalan Barat, PJS 8, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Opening Hour: 7-2am (Daily)

Status: Halal-certified

5. Zainul Nasi Kandar 

Zainul Nasi Kandar is said to be the closest you can get to Penang Nasi Kandar! The curries here have a unique taste – spicy and thick – a good combination of flavour and texture. Don’t forget to get fried chicken! Fried to golden perfection, it is so crispy on the outside but remains juicy on the inside!

Address: Medan Selera Kompleks C, Lorong Sultan, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Opening Hour: 8am-5pm (Daily)

Status: Muslim-owned

6. Saha Coffee 

Indulge in a good cup of Joe at Saha Coffee & Fruit Bar. Saha Coffee also has various menu selections, from local favourites to desserts and more. Not only that, you can also find an array of Western dishes with a local touch! 

Address: No. 4, Jalan Cendana 2, Taman Muhibbah, 42700 Banting, Selangor

Opening Hour: 8am-10pm (Daily)

Nearest Stop-Over BHPetrol Station

BHPetrol Sungai Kayu Ara, Lot 13639 Jalan Kenanga Off Jalan, LDP, Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

7. Idaman Suri

This restaurant in Butterworth is where you can find various side dishes (lauk) for the perfect Nasi Campur experience! Restoran Idaman Suri serves Malaysian side dishes where you can expect a wide assortment of fish, chicken, meat, and vegetable dishes, and the list goes on and on! Certainly a must-try! 

Address: 10, Lorong Cantek 2, Taman Cantek, 13400 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang

Opening Hour: 9am-6pm (Closed on Sun)

8. Restoran Saudiah Nasi Kandar

When in Perak, you can’t miss Restoran Saudiah Nasi Kandar! This spot in Kuala Kangsar is where you can satisfy your Nasi Kandar cravings. Aside from the crowd-pleasing dish, you can also get its famous Nasi Goreng Ayam too! 

Address: J alan Khoo Leng Yan, Bandar Baru, 33000 Kuala Kangsar, Perak

Opening Hour: 7am-7pm (Daily)

BHPetrol SG Dua North Bound, PMT 1169, Di KM132,60, North-South Expy, Arah Utara, 13500 Permatang Pauh, Penang

9. Woodfire

This popular burger joint sells burgers like no other, offering all American-style juicy burgers! If you’re looking for the perfect burger that offers a combination of tastes and textures from the first to the very last bite, Woodfire is the perfect spot.

Address: 56, Jln Baru, Kampung Pegawai, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor

Opening Hour: 12-10pm (Tue-Thur, Sat-Sun) & 3-10pm (Fri, closed on Mon)

10. Restoran BP Bariani Power

If you’re in Johor, going to BP Bariani Power is a must! BP Bariani Power is famous for its Nasi Bariani and Nasi Bariani Gam. The Nasi Bariani Gam is full of tasty herbs with a slight hint of creaminess. You can choose chicken, lamb, or mutton – so head on to discover your favourite! 

Address: 18, Jalan Tukas 2, Taman Soga, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor

Opening Hour: 9:30am-5pm (Daily)

11. Bangsawan Restaurant 

Known for its generous “bangsawan” portion, Bangsawan Restaurant serves local favourites like Ikan Keli Geprek, Ayam Sambal Kicap and more. But its scene-stealer is definitely the Shell Geprek Bangsawan. This dish has a beautiful combination of crab, lala, shrimp and more, all smothered in a hot spicy sauce! If you’re not a spicy lover, opt for less spicy! 

Address: No 25 Jalan Flora Utama 1, Taman Flora Utama, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor

Opening Hour: 12-10pm (Closed on Mon)

12. Saiful Patin Gulai Masam

Saiful Patin Gulai Masam is where you can get various local fare while enjoying the view. At night, they also have other menu dishes consisting of seafood and more for you to explore that are sure to whet your appetite! 

Address: Dataran Patin Tg Keramat, Kampung Bangau, 28000 Temerloh, Pahang

Opening Hour: 11am-12am (Closed on Tue)

13. Warong Tomyam Ismail

This restaurant in Pahang is famous for its Thai cuisine with a twist! Warong Tomyam Ismail serves dishes from Tom Yam, Kerabu Sotong, and more. Among the must-try here is its Fried Fish with Sweet and Sour sauce that will leave you wanting more! 

Address: Taman Bendera, 28400 Mentakab, Pahang

Opening Hour: 5:30pm-12am (Daily)

14. Gerai Ikan Patin Pak Usop

This restaurant is a crowd favourite for its tempoyak ikan patin ! Here, the tempoyak ikan patin has a distinctive fermented durian flavour laced with sweet, sour and spicy notes that are certainly delightful. 

Address: B-12, Gerai MPT, Lurah Semantan, 28000 Temerloh, Pahang

Opening Hour: 11:30am-5:30pm (Closed on Sun)

BHPetrol KL-Karak, KM 21, Karak Expy, Arah Timur, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur

Food-Centric Destinations To Explore With BHPetrol 

Good food is never far from BHPetrol! Can’t wait to plan a culinary trip? Don’t forget to plan your road trips with BHPetrol! BHPetrol stations are definitely a convenient one-stop for all! 

Not only that, you can also use BHPetrol eCard to earn points and redeem exclusive gifts! Get yourself a BHPetrol eCard at any BHPetrol station or download now at Google Play Store or Apple App Store. For more info, visit https://www.bhpetrol.com.my/ecard-mobile-app/  

What are you waiting for? Your food adventure awaits! 

#BHPetrol #TheRightChoice #BHPetrolCariMakan

Link(s): Website | Facebook | Instagram

Also read:  Your Fried Chicken Is In Good Hands! KFC Taking Good Care Of The Quality Of Your All-Time Favourite Fried Chicken!

Check out our documentary series –  Foodie Originals

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Dive Into Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur Food Tours: Exactly What It’s Like On The Best Food Tour In KL

Considering taking one of the food tours in KL? Great choice! Malaysia is renowned for its fabulous food and Kuala Lumpur food tours are a fantastic way to discover it.

You won’t just get to taste delicious food, but the best way to learn about the history and culture of Malaysia is through its food. If you haven’t done a Kuala Lumpur food tour before, this can sound strange. However, the food of Malaysia has been brought about by the history of the cultures in the area. And this is just as obvious in the food of Malaysia as in its people.

When you have a knowledgeable Kuala Lumpur food tour guide, there’s no better way to learn so much about KL than during a fun stroll around a great area of KL while tasting amazing food and drinks.

I know because I love taking Malaysian food tours. On my most recent visit to Kuala Lumpur, I took a fabulous Kuala Lumpur street food tour and I learned so much even though I have been to this city 10+ times before. It’s the best experience I have had here.

I figure the best way to show you how great a KL food tour can be is to share what one is like with you. I do this by detailing exactly what I ate and did on my food tour Kuala Lumpur experience.

Below, I share everything in this Kuala Lumpur food tour review so you can decide for yourself if you want to do a food tour in KL.

Spoiler : You’ll be booking food tours in Kuala Lumpur by the end of this article 🙂

If you already know you want to do a food tour, you can book one with Simply Enak right now at this link . Dive Into Malaysia readers save RM30 using the discount code: DIVE30

Travelling to Malaysia?  Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist .  We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

Kuala Lumpur Food Tours With Simply Enak

There are a few options for taking food tours Kuala Lumpur. We recommend Simply Enak for your food. Simply Enak means simply delicious and that’s what these food tours are!

We have taken their food tours ourselves in both Kuala Lumpur and Penang and we are sure of their quality. Their guides are great, and you can learn and discover so much on these tours.

It’s not just me who thinks this either. They have a 5 star rating on TripAdvisor!

Simply Enak offers three food tours in Kuala Lumpur:

• Flavours of Malaysia – 4 hour tour starting at 9:30am or 3:30pm. Focused on local markets and understanding the ingredients in the different cuisines in Malaysia. Click here for all the details.
• Secrets Of KL – 4 hour tour starting at 4pm. Exploring Malaysia’s nightlife and modern (and trendy) Kuala Lumpur. For adults 21+ only. Click here for all the details.
• Kuala Lumpur Street Food – 3.5 hour tour starting at 9:15am. An overview of KL’s food, history and culture. This is also the one to pick if you are travelling with kids. Click here for all the details.

All tours will help you discover aspects of the history and culture of Kuala Lumpur while walking round an area of the city and tasting a crazy amount of food and drinks. The evening tour, Secrets of KL, also finishes the tour with a locally-inspired cocktail.

You can find all their food tours here.

If you are heading to Penang, you can also read my full review of their Penang food tour here.

Best Food Tour In Kuala Lumpur Review

On my most recent trip, I did the Kuala Lumpur Street Food tour. All my experiences here are based on this experience. I went on this tour with my husband and three kids aged 6, 11 and 12 at the time of the experience.

Disclaimer: We tried a lot of food on this tour. Like, a huge amount!

So there is a big chance that I’ll forget some of these in this Kuala Lumpur food tour review! But I’m sure it will still give you a great indication of what’s available and the experiences you can have.

My tour started at Pasar Seni LRT station. This is easy to find and get to and we were soon meeting our guide, Pauline. It was just our family on the tour so this was a big bonus.

We chatted and introduced ourselves and talked a little about the tour. Very quickly, we found ourselves at the first food stop. Yay!

We started at an Indian mamak local restaurant trying many types of bread and sauces as well as “indian donuts” and other foods.

It was quite a start with so much delicious-ness. Our family loves Indian food, but our kids hadn’t tried dosai or some of the breads before. We all found this fun. Even better is that our kids were being great at trying just about everything.

We also had drinks. My husband had the Malaysian national drink, teh tarik. Since I just had this on the Penang food tour , I tried a ginger tea (so good!). My kids chose iced milo.

Our guide showed right from the start that she was good at tailoring the food to the situation too with one of the rotis having chocolate and the kids receiving some Indian sweets when we were leaving for being so good with trying everything.

Actually, when we were leaving, an older woman in the restaurant also gave my 6 year old some sweets. I love Malaysians!

We headed towards the heart of Chinatown with plenty of stops on the way and plenty of information and time for questions.

The next stop was at a traditional Chinese tea stall where we tried three different types. Our guide was certainly not kidding when she said the bitterest one was really bitter!! 😀

On the way to the tea stop, we actually went into a KK Mart (like a 7-Eleven) and our guide showed us what the locals like to eat and drink day-to-day and about some of the different products, how there’s a push for less sugar in products and more. It was quite interesting.

She also bought us the Malaysian version of the Indonesian instant noodles we usually eat at home so we could try them later and taste the difference!

We walked on to where the last handmade char siew pao (steam buns) are being made in Kuala Lumpur. We were able to watch them being made, learn more about them and ask questions to the vendors.

Of course, we could also taste them. We could pick what we wanted, and they were made and steamed for us. We collected them at the end of the tour. So good!

Our next stop was an old bakery in modern, air-conditioned surrounds so that was nice. Many of the traditional vendors on this tour are in hot alley ways, so the occasional dose of air-conditioning is nice.

There were so many delights here – some for everyday consumption and some for special occasions. We tried a range of good including a special wedding biscuit. The pink one above. It was the best!

We then started walking through some more alleys in Chinatown coming across many traditional and delicious food vendors. It was very cool to watch everything being made and to meet the vendors. It made it more interesting for the kids as well.

We had a handmade curry puff after meeting the last lady still making them by hand which was particularly good. Our guide talked a lot about the different people left making these types of traditional dishes, and how it was dying out which is sad.

We also had some sweet potato balls.

Next up was our favourite dish from yet another vendor – coconut pancakes and peanut pancakes. The coconut pancakes were particularly good and my kids keep a look out now everywhere we go hoping to see them!

As we walked around Chinatown trying all this food, I did wonder how I had missed all of this before as I have been to Chinatown in KL a few times over the years. It’s just so invaluable to have a guide that could take us to exactly the right place for the right food from the right people.

In addition to the food that I am mentioning, we also went past far more and our guide would explain what things were and when they might be eaten.

We also had some fresh juices here and tried different ones we hadn’t had before. Because none of us had had guava fruit before, our guide also bought us cut up guava with dried sour plum powder on it – like locals would eat. It was great.

Of course, you can’t go on a food tour without learning about the infamous durian so we saw this next and learned more about it and all the different types.

We then visited a Chinese medicine clinic and store. It was interesting to me all the specialists they had working there. We learned more about this and our guide shared her own experiences with Chinese medicine.

We saw birds’ saliva worth thousands of ringgits that is used by the Chinese community. As I had just been to Sabah where this is collected, I found that particularly interesting. I definitely won’t be saving up for that 😀

After a walk through a wet market, we ended up at some great local Chinese street vendors where we had a fabulous laksa and “rat tail” noodles.

The noodles were some of the best I’ve ever had with minced pork and a yummy sauce. We were all getting pretty full at this point so it was hard to keep eating with my oldest and youngest kids throwing in the towel. My middle child wasn’t going to give up though, and he ate most the noodles!

We also tried some other dishes such as fish balls and fried tofu.

Nearly as good as eating the food was watching it being made. They were really pumping out the laksas (see the first photo above). There were newspaper clippings on displaying showing the praise they had received. It is very cool to sit basically in a car park on plastic tables and chairs eating such great food.

We then got our pau and headed to the final stop at a hotel with great views where we could go through everything we ate and did on the tour and see the path we took, check out the brand new Merdeka 118 and basically enjoy the afterglow of such a great morning.

Want Help Having An Awesome Food Experience in KL?

Join a Simply Enak (aka delicious) Food Tour!

There are three different options depending on whether you want to concentrate on street food, nightlife or off the beaten track places.

No matter what you pick, you’ll taste a range of fabulous local food and drinks while learning the history and culture of Kuala Lumpur.

There’s no better way to discover this great city.

Make sure you use the coupon code DIVE30 for RM30 off your tour.

Click here for all your option s .

Simply Enak Kuala Lumpur Food Tour Video Walk-Through: Kuala Lumpur Street Food

You can watch my experience on this one of the food tours Kuala Lumpur by clicking below….

Final Words

This Kuala Lumpur street food tour was fantastic.

From right at the beginning, when we sat down to a fabulous Indian breakfast to the noodles at the end, we tried a crazy amount of amazing food.

I loved how many street vendors we got to talk to and watch make their food. It definitely adds to the enjoyment of the food when you can see it up so close in such an intimate way.

It can feel a little stressful doing a tour with three kids but this worked well and our guide was great at catering things to us. She told me that she’d usually give more information but wanted to make sure the kids were ok, and what she did was perfect.

Exactly what you get to taste seems tailored to the people on the tour, and it all worked well for us. It definitely helps that my kids have been brought up with Malaysian food so it’s not completely foreign and two of them are good eaters. But even my fussier one had plenty that he loved and was able to try a lot as we just tried so many things.

I highly recommend doing a food tour. Kuala Lumpur is the perfect city for it. I just wish I had done one on my first trip and not my 15th! As now I have so many more dishes I love and want to eat more of!

Click here to read more about this food tour and to make a booking 🙂

Remember, you can get RM30 off this tour per adult using the code: DIVE30

Looking for other things to do in Kuala Lumpur? Find our full guide here . You can also find our full guide to Kuala Lumpur city tours here , our full guide to where to stay in Kuala Lumpur here and our full travel guide to Kuala Lumpur here . If you are heading to Penang, find our Penang food tour review here.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

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By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

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Beautiful tea fields in Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands is the place to watch stunning tea fields. Boh Tea Plantation is the biggest in the country and the views over there are to die for. Enjoy a cup of tea and a freshly baked scone at the plantation restaurant, while enjoying magnificent panoramas.

Crystal clear water at Perhentian Island

Perhentian Island is one of Malaysia's best kept secrets. Actually consisting of two small islands, both offer similar accommodation and both are surrounded by crystal clear sea water, with perfect scuba diving and snorkeling conditions. Go enjoy island life to the fullest!

Perfect beach holiday at Langkawi Island

Langkawi Island has everything you need for the ultimate beach holiday. White powdery beaches, a wide range of hotels and resorts, delicious food and a huge amount of sights and attractions. You can easily spend a whole week and still long for more.

Jungle adventures at Taman Negara

Taman Negara is one of the oldest primary rainforests in the world and due to its close proximity to Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, travelers can reach this pristine jungle fairly easily. Highlights consists of jungle hikes, a canopy walk, night safari's and river cruises.

Boat exploration at Lake Kenyir

Lake Kenyir the biggest man made lake system in Malaysia. Over the years it has evolved into a unique ecosystem with many sights and even a chance to spot wildlife like monkeys, elephants, hornbills and much more. Some even spotted the elusive black panther along the shores.

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Peninsular East Coast

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Exploring the Exquisite Flavors of Malaysian Cuisine

When it comes to rich and diverse cuisine, Malaysia is a melting pot of culture and flavor. Its culinary history is a fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other regional influences. These unique blends of spices, herbs, and sauces have made Malaysian food a favorite among many food enthusiasts around the world. In this blog post, let’s explore some of the mouthwatering dishes that make Malaysian cuisine increasingly popular.

The Diversity of Malaysian Cuisine

Explore the impressive range of flavors and textures that Malaysian cuisine has to offer. Malaysian food is known for its unique combinations of contrasting flavors, such as sweet and sour, sweet and salty, or spicy and sweet.

Some of the most popular dishes that you should try when exploring Malaysian cuisine include Nasi Lemak, Satay, Rendang, and Laksa. These dishes are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. So, let’s dive deeper into the world of Malaysian cuisine and discover some of the best dishes out there.

Nasi Lemak is widely regarded as Malaysia’s national dish, and it’s not hard to see why. This fragrant rice dish is cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves, accompanied by a variety of toppings such as fried anchovies, peanuts, hard-boiled eggs, and cucumber slices. The star of the dish is its sambal, a spicy chili paste that completes the symphony of flavors.

Satay is a popular street food in Malaysia, made with skewered meat that is marinated in a mixture of turmeric, garlic, and ginger for several hours. The meat is then grilled over a charcoal flame, giving it a smoky flavor. Satay is usually served with a peanut sauce that complements the meat’s sweetness and adds a creamy texture.

Rendang is another famous Malaysian dish that originated with the Minangkabau people in Indonesia. The dish is a slow-cooked meat stew made with beef, chicken, or lamb, simmered in coconut milk and spices until the sauce thickens and caramelizes. The result is tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat that’s rich and savory.

Laksa is a spicy noodle soup that comes in various forms across Malaysia. The dish’s name derives from the Malay word “laksha,” which means ten thousand, referring to the dish’s abundant ingredients. The soup base is usually made with coconut milk, fish or prawn broth, and a blend of spices. Some of the key ingredients include fish cakes, tofu puffs, and bean sprouts, garnished with a wedge of lime and fresh herbs.

Char Kuey Teow

Char Kuey Teow is a Malaysian-style stir-fried noodle dish that’s commonly found in hawker markets around the country. The dish is made with flat rice noodles stir-fried over high heat with soy sauce, chili paste, fish sauce, eggs, and seafood such as prawns and cockles. The heat from the wok adds a smoky aroma to the dish, giving it a distinct charred flavor that’s hard to resist.

The Influence of Cultural Diversity in Malaysian Cuisine

Malaysia’s cuisine reflects the country’s rich cultural diversity as it blends Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other regional influences. Each of these cultures has contributed its own unique set of flavors and cooking techniques to the Malaysian food scene. Malay cuisine, for instance, is known for its use of lemongrass, coconut milk, and spicy sambal sauce. Chinese cuisine, on the other hand, is characterized by the use of noodles, stir-frying, and soy sauce. Indian cuisine has brought spices such as curry, cumin, and coriander to Malaysian cuisine. These cultural influences have resulted in a fascinating array of flavors and textures that make Malaysian cuisine truly unique.

Malaysian Street Food Culture

Street food culture is an essential part of Malaysian cuisine, and it’s no surprise that Malaysian street food has gained popularity worldwide, similar to that of the game 3 Lucky Rainbow . The streets of Malaysia are packed with hawker stalls selling all sorts of delicious dishes, from crispy roti canai to savory curry puffs. Hawker stalls are a way of life in Malaysia, with locals and tourists alike flocking to these stalls for their daily meals. Often these hawkers are all packed together, forming one of many frequently visited food courts. The vibrant atmosphere, the sizzling sounds of woks, and the mouth-watering aromas make for an unforgettable dining experience.

In conclusion , Malaysian cuisine brings together a diverse range of flavors to create an unforgettable culinary experience. Its unique blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian flavors offers something for everyone, from sweet and spicy to rich and savory. With an abundance of different dishes to choose from, Malaysian food is a must-try for any food enthusiast. So, go ahead, try some Malaysian cuisine, and share your experience with us!

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Tagging: Food court , Foodcourts , Laksa , Nasi Lemak , Satay , Street food , Streetfood

• The food you simply have to try when visiting Malaysia

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4 comments on Exploring the Exquisite Flavors of Malaysian Cuisine

If I have a chance to come here, I will definitely try this dish.

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Free ebook top 100 tips malaysia.

Learn all there is to know about Malaysia with our Wonderful Malaysia Top 100 Tips eBook! Get your FREE copy of our eBook by signing up.

My Malaysia Food Safari

Come and see what malaysia has to offer.

Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. This is definitely a food adventure with a total deluge of flavours on the senses. Bustling cities influenced by so many diverse cultures.

Malay, Chinese, Indian and Nyonya traditions with influences from the Portuguese, British and Dutch creating a complex range of exotic flavours.

Vibrant markets, street food, abundance of flavours, sky scrapers, temples and hospitable people. Come and see what Malaysia has to offer.

MAY 2024 Tour

A note from Adrienne & Joey

We are honoured to be hosting this food adventure in malaysia.

Let’s travel through this bubbling melting pot with the locals, there is no better way to truly discover another country and immerse yourself into their culture.

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Here's real food, because food., lunch, dinner,, doesn't matter. tour..

Being adventurers like you, we know it doesn’t hurt to have the right kind of ‘natives’ to lead you to real KL food.

Whether you choose authentic KL-street food, a cruise/custom food tour, we guarantee your food tour will be an adventure.

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"an evening of food, stories, food, laughter & more food", because we love food, we hope you will too - ftm, testimonial, relaxes and informative - vip experience.

Just go! It’s the perfect way to get introduced to KL. The tour is very relaxed and tailored to each group, so it feels like more a friend taking you around to some favorite spots and making some suggestions, rather than a rushed tour group itinerary (and there is no pressure to like every item). I’m sure that in any “Off the Eaten Track” tour you’ll experience a range of Malay, Chinese, and Indian dishes and drinks, learn some Malaysian table manners, and see parts of the city you otherwise would not have visited (and likely won't see any other tourists in)... – E S, California

EXCELLENT FOOD AND COMPANY!

Best food tour ever! This isn't your average food tour where you walk for miles and only get a bite or two of a single shared dish. This is a full culinary experience that will leave you full beyond reason in your belly and your mind! – Lola Mendèz, Spa in

A brilliant way to spend an evening!

This was definitely one of the highlights of our time in KL. You start the tour several stops out of central KL at Taman Paramount station where we were met by the wonderful Farah. Over the course of the evening we learned so much about Malaysian food and the people who enjoy it. We went to places we would never have found on our own and ate food we would never have tried without this tour... - ask_a_local, United Kingdom

great food tour

We have done about 10 food tours across the globe, and this was one of the more fun ones. I highly recommend it! We had one night in KL on our way home and this was the perfect way to see and experience many parts of the city that I otherwise never would have. We did the "off the beaten track" tour... - tacostuff, New Hampshire

The 9 most sensational places to visit in Malaysia

Aug 7, 2024 • 8 min read

From night markets in Kuala Lumpur to getting away from it all in the highlands, here are the best places to visit in Malaysia. Muhd Hidayatullah/Lonely Planet

Split across two different land masses, Malaysia instantly poses a dilemma. Do you visit Peninsular Malaysia, which borders Thailand to the north and Singapore down south? Or do you head across the South China Sea to Borneo – a jungly island shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and the Kingdom of Brunei? 

Good news: both sides of Malaysia have soft sandy beaches and snorkel-worthy coves, though Malaysian Borneo has superior access to marine life. Borneo is also the best pick for jungle trekking, though you can explore national parks and hilly hiking terrain across Peninsular Malaysia, too – like Taman Negara and the Cameron Highlands . Many parks and beauty spots are almost on top of the cities, making Peninsular Malaysia an excellent choice for families who want to spot hornbills by day, but bed down in modern comfort.

Peninsular Malaysia is also where you'll find the buzz. Gastronomes, shoppers and museum hounds can enjoy their fill in cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur , food-forward Penang  and cultural jigsaw Malacca (also known as  Melaka ). Plot your own path with a little help from our list of the best places to go in Malaysia.

1. Kuala Lumpur is the best place to go for a whirlwind tour 

If you have grand ambitions but limited time, head to Kuala Lumpur. Parts of KL feel like a quintessential capital city, with chic shopping malls (like Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC), a competitive cocktail scene and a sci-fi skyline – the Petronas Towers rise up like twin rockets, while Menara KL glows like a futuristic lighthouse (head to the 300m-high (984ft) sky deck for an expansive view). But KL offers more than fast-paced urban commotion. 

They city's swagger comes accompanied by nature and history, courtesy of time-worn temples, kopitiam (traditional coffee houses), and rainforests almost side by side with high-rise buildings. Places of worship like the scarlet multi-story Thean Hou Temple and ornate Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad inspire contemplation and wonder.

If you're looking for places to visit in Malaysia in three days, KL has day-trip potential, too. Listen to birdsong at KL Forest Eco Park , picnic by a waterfall at the Forest Research Institute , and less than an hour's drive away is Mah Meri Cultural Village , where you can immerse yourself in indigenous Orang Asli art and history. 

2. Encounter pristine nature in Gunung Mulu National Park

Remarkably rocky, tremendously old and a theater for eye-popping natural spectacles, Gunung Mulu is arguably Malaysia's best national park. Between Gunung Mulu (2376m/7795ft) and Gunung Api (1710m/5610ft) are old-growth forests, limestone pinnacles and deep caves, home to millions of bats that take flight every twilight – watch the drama unfold at Deer Cave . 

Where to begin exploring? DIY experiences include the Mulu canopy walk (a suspended ladder through the treetops), an easy ramble to Paku Waterfall or the Botanical Heritage Loop Trail.

If you have tough hiking boots and even tougher endurance, book a guide and tackle the three-day Pinnacles trek. The climbs are steep, but you'll be rewarded by panoramic views of dense jungle spiked with fins of limestone. 

3. Penang is the top destination for food, drink and sensory pleasures

Penang's foodie status is uncontested. Travelers flock from across Malaysia (and beyond) to experience Gurney Drive's seafood restaurants, slurp Penang laksa at Lorong Baru Hawker Stalls , and follow their noses to barbecued seafood at the Chew Jetty . But even beyond the sizzle of char kway teow (rice noodles with prawns, eggs and more), Penang can tickle your senses.

Inhale the tang of 500 herbs and aromatics at Tropical Spice Garden . Listen to the chatter of macaques at Penang National Park , the country's smallest. Gawp at the architectural splendor of Khoo Kongsi clubhouse and the intricately carved Pinang Peranakan Mansion . Alternatively, get bang up to date with contemporary art at Hin Bus Depot .  

Tip for timing your visit: Penang is one of the best places to visit in Malaysia in December, when the west coast enjoys good weather while winds batter the east. 

4. Kuching is the perfect urban-jungle mash-up

We hear the dilemma: you want access to nature without committing to a tent in the jungle. And you want to experience the buzz of a Malaysian city without the high-octane hubbub of KL. Kuching , the capital of Bornean state Sarawak, is your happy medium. 

Kuching is a launchpad to Borneo's glorious wilderness. From here, you can easily meet orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre , or day-trip to Bako National Park to look for bearded pigs and proboscis monkeys.

But before stepping beyond the city limits, let Kuching work its charms. Stroll the waterfront promenade, where you can see views of Kuching's architectural treasury: the Astana (palace) and its trim gardens, the State Assembly  and the swirling Darul Hana pedestrian bridge. Admire Chinese temples, browse the weekend market and learn the history of Sarawak's White Rajas at hilltop Fort Margherita . 

5. Pulau Perhentian are the best islands for sunshine and snorkeling

Mentioning the Perhentians to Malaysian people elicits a longing smile. The Perhentian Islands are synonymous with brilliant beaches and marine life, plus there's a party scene to keep beach bums dancing until the wee hours. The trick is to find your perfect beach.

Searching for spectacular sunsets? Head to Coral Bay. Green turtles? The turtle project on Main Beach. Late-night beach parties? Long Beach. There are numerous beaches where you can go sea kayaking and snorkel among parrotfish and giant clams; hardened divers can go deeper to visit wrecks and commune with clownfish, reef sharks and stingrays. Time your visit for the dry season between March and October (but avoid July, when crowds reach their peak).  

6. Malacca is a cultural smorgasbord 

Nowhere in Malaysia is the tumult of past colonial rule felt more strongly than in port cities, and Malacca is emblematic of this cultural collision.

Perched on Peninsular Malaysia's west coast, successive colonizers (Portuguese, Dutch, British) vied for control over this trading port and maritime waystation. Today, Malacca harbors a number of variegated food cultures, a hodge-podge of architecture and alluring night markets.

Glimpse Portuguese history by clambering aboard the replica Flor de la Mar ship and sampling baked fish at Medan Portugis . Time-travel forward to Dutch rule by touring the Stadthuys (now a history museum) and salmon-pink Christ Church . Other cornerstones of history are "Chinese Hill" cemetery and Peranakan (Straits Chinese) mansions, notably the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum . 

Malacca's multidimensional cultures have helped fuel a roaring tourist trade. Colorful trishaws offer joyrides and history tours, while Jonker Walk Night Market is the evening's entertainment, offering everything from open-air karaoke to nibbling on Nyonya zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings).

7. Take refreshing upland hikes in the Cameron Highlands

Malaysia's most famous hill stations snooze among the vivid green tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands . Temperatures seldom stray higher than 30°C (86°F), attracting locals and tourists alike to cool off in these 1300m to 1829m (4265ft to 6000ft) heights. Many folks pick strawberries at Raaju's Hill or make a beeline (sorry) for the honey farm – but there are more authentic natural encounters in the Camerons. 

Take a guided hike with Eco Cameron to marvel at orchids and hunt for the whopping rafflesia flower. You can also go alone: numbered hiking trails extend right from main towns Brinchang and Tanah Rata (ask locally about trail safety, as robberies have been reported on some routes). Inevitably, you'll reward your outdoor exertions by sipping a cup of tea (or three) at a plantation. Boh Sungei Palas has some of the best views, with Boh Tea Garden a close second. 

8. Ipoh is Malaysia's best unsung destination

To Malay people, Ipoh is deservedly famous. For one, Ipoh's sweet, creamy white coffee is legendary. The town is the capital of Perak, a region of past tin-mining wealth that spawned colonial follies like Kellie's Castle . Then there are the regional delicacies – chicken bean sprouts, bean curd pudding – that bring KL day trippers piling into Ipoh eateries. 

But for international travelers, Ipoh has remained firmly off the map – overlooked on the rush between KL and Penang. So if you're looking for unique places to visit in Malaysia, buck the trend and head to Ipoh. Its hilly outskirts are jeweled with cave temples; statue-studded Sam Poh Tong has a crimson pavilion secreted away among the limestone cliffs. In town, street art by famed Lithuanian muralist Ernest Zacharevic splashes the walls, shophouses on once-notorious Concubine Lane retain their antique flavor, and the train station has attracted the nickname Taj Mahal (you be the judge). 

9. Tioman Island is the best place to unwind

Picture it: palm trees and hibiscus flowers swaying in the sea breeze, and perhaps a delicious cocktail making its way into your hand as you settle in at a bar. This 136-sq-km (52.5 sq miles) island begs you to unwind, embrace a slower pace and maybe get that tie-dye T-shirt.

Your only burden? Picking a village where you can settle down, uncrick your neck and maybe catch a wave or two. Kampung Juara is the best surf spot, with two wide, sandy beaches, plenty of places offering board and kayak hire, and, better yet, a turtle sanctuary on Mentawak Beach. Kampung Salang is backpacker central, with access to popular shores like white-sand Monkey Beach and occasional beach parties.

To feel far from the beaten track, head to tucked-away villages like quiet, traditional Kampung Mukut . But wherever you sling your rucksack, make time for marine encounters. Tioman has extensive coral reefs (and abundant manta rays), and March to October is prime time for divers.

This article was first published Feb 23, 2022 and updated Aug 7, 2024.

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Discover Malaysia: An Unforgettable 7-Day Itinerary to Explore the Heart of Southeast Asia

Malaysia is a vibrant country where the modern meets the ancient, creating a beautiful harmony of culture, adventure, and history. From bustling cities to serene islands, a week in this Southeast Asian gem will leave you with lasting memories. Here’s your ultimate 7-day itinerary for exploring Malaysia.

Day 1: Arrival in Kuala Lumpur

Your journey begins in the bustling capital city of Kuala Lumpur. As soon as you land, you will feel the energetic heartbeat of Malaysia. Start your day with a visit to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers , the tallest twin towers in the world. Don’t miss the sky bridge and observation deck for a breathtaking view of the city.

Next, head to Batu Caves , a limestone hill with a series of caves and cave temples. The highlight is the massive golden statue of Lord Murugan and the 272 colorful steps leading up to the temple cave.

In the evening, explore Jalan Alor , a famous food street in Kuala Lumpur. Indulge in Malaysia’s culinary delights, from spicy satay to delicious noodle dishes. This vibrant street comes alive at night with dozens of food stalls and restaurants.

Day 2: Historic Malacca

Take a day trip to Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage site just a couple of hours from Kuala Lumpur. Start your exploration at the A Famosa Fortress , one of the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Southeast Asia.

Visit the Stadthuys , an old Dutch building now serving as a history museum. Dive deeper into the local culture at the Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum , which offers a glimpse into the Peranakan way of life.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Malacca River and explore Jonker Street, known for its antique shops and the lively night market. End your day with a Peranakan dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Day 3: Cameron Highlands Adventure

On your third day, escape the city heat and journey to the cool climate of the Cameron Highlands. Start your day with a tour of the Cameron Valley Tea Plantations . Learn about tea processing and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea while overlooking the lush, green tea fields.

Explore the vibrant Kea Farm Market , where you can buy fresh local produce, flowers, and souvenirs. Don’t miss the nearby Butterfly Garden , home to an array of colorful butterflies and insects.

End your day with a visit to the Strawberry Farms , where you can pick your own strawberries during the harvest season.

Day 4: Penang – The Pearl of the Orient

On your fourth day, fly to Penang, known as the “Pearl of the Orient.” Start your day in George Town , a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with colonial architecture, vibrant street art, and eclectic cafes.

Visit the Penang Peranakan Mansion to gain insight into the opulent lifestyle of the Peranakans. Then, explore the colorful and aromatic Little India and take in the sights and sounds of this bustling quarter.

Don’t miss a walk along the picturesque Clan Jetties , traditional Chinese waterfront settlements. In the evening, head to Gurney Drive for a culinary adventure. This famous seafront promenade offers a taste of Penang’s best street food, from mouth-watering char kway teow to luscious Penang laksa.

Day 5: Langkawi Island Relaxation

Day five takes you to Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands. Start your day with a visit to the Langkawi Sky Bridge , accessible by the Langkawi Cable Car. The views from the bridge over pristine jungles and turquoise waters are truly spectacular.

Spend your afternoon at the Pantai Cenang , the most popular beach in Langkawi, known for its white sands and crystal-clear waters. Engage in water sports, or simply relax and soak up the sun.

Highly recommended is a sunset dinner cruise, where you can enjoy the breathtaking sunset while dining on a luxurious boat. Langkawi is also known for its duty-free shopping, so take some time to shop for souvenirs.

Day 6: Langkawi Exploration

Continue your Langkawi adventure by visiting the Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise , home to over 150 species of birds and other animals. This hands-on park allows for feeding sessions, giving you a unique wildlife encounter.

Following this, explore the mystical ancient Langkawi Mangrove Forest . Take a boat tour through the mangroves to observe natural habitats and wildlife, including eagles and otters.

For a touch of history, head to Mahsuri’s Tomb , steeped in local legend. The serene surroundings and museum offer a window into Langkawi’s past.

Conclude your day with a visit to the Underwater World Langkawi , one of the largest marine and freshwater aquariums in Southeast Asia. Don’t miss the penguinarium and the giant walk-through tunnel that showcases a diverse range of marine life.

Day 7: Return to Kuala Lumpur and Departure

Your final day in Malaysia brings you back to Kuala Lumpur. Spend your remaining hours exploring any sights you might have missed on your first day. Consider visiting the bustling Central Market for last-minute souvenirs and local crafts.

Another option is the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia , which showcases an outstanding collection of Islamic artifacts and artworks from across the world.

If time allows, indulge in a luxurious high tea at one of Kuala Lumpur’s renowned hotels, reflecting on your incredible week-long journey through Malaysia. Finally, head to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for your departure, taking with you unforgettable memories and experiences.

From the vibrant streets of Kuala Lumpur to the serene beaches of Langkawi, Malaysia offers an unforgettable travel experience that enthralls every type of traveler. This 7-day itinerary ensures you witness the best of what this incredible country has to offer—from historical landmarks and cultural festivals to culinary delights and natural wonders.

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Don’t miss the 100th edition of MAHA

Tuesday, 10 Sep 2024

Related News

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Maha 2024 roadshow visits sabah, agro madani sales in sarawak achieve 90% success rate, says fama chairman.

Green show: Mohamad and Arthur (front row, third and fourth from right) posing during the media preview. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star

SERDANG: The 100th edition of the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-Tourism Exhibition (MAHA 2024) which opens tomorrow will serve as a platform to explore the latest advancements and innovations in Malaysia’s agricultural sector, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

Expressing optimism about the event, which will not only feature high-tech solutions but also sustainable and resilient approaches that can drive the nation’s economic growth, Mohamad said the event is ready to welcome the expected three million visitors.

In a media preview at the event site at MAEPS here yesterday, he said the event with the theme “Harvesting Tomorrow Where Dreams Blossom” will have eight key focus areas.

“With its history dating back to 1923, MAHA 2024 reflects the ministry’s aspirations and goals to achieve success in facing today’s challenges through innovation and targeted initiatives,” he said of the 12-day event that aims to secure deals worth RM6bil through memoranda of understanding and agreements on the back of sales worth RM40mil.

The ministry is also targeting to receive 4,000 applications for grants and business matching worth up to RM600mil.

“MAHA 2024, which will take place until Sept 22, is making history by becoming the foremost and oldest agricultural exhibition in South-East Asia to surpass a century.

“I hope the visitors who come can continue to liven up MAHA until the night,” he added, expressing his hope that the MRT will operate late into the night, which he plans to discuss with Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, the operator of train and bus services in the Klang Valley.

“With great publicity and good transportation, we are confident this will increase visitor attendance, in addition to other attractions like light shows, water displays and concerts by local celebrities in the evenings,” he said.

Children, too, will not be left out, as they will have customised exhibitions that include magic shows, along with fitness-based programmes, and the opportunity to run their fingers through a rice field.

For those with diverse interests, there are also displays of glamping and motorhomes, among others.

At its core, MAHA 2024 has all the elements needed to elevate it to a world-class event, with participation and involvement from various countries through the MAHA Go Global segment, which is a mechanism to catalyse the growth in the agricultural sector, increase exports and spur innovation.

Through MAHA Go Global, the ministry has promoted the event to foreign countries to display their agricultural technology, inspire local innovation, and explore investment potential in the country’s agri-food sector through business matching.

There will also be exclusive business-to-business gatherings in the first three days (Sept 11-13) at Hall C of MAEPS for professional networking and dealmaking.

In this regard, 16 countries have confirmed their participation, including Japan, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Hong Kong and several European countries.

MAHA 2024 looks not only at those growing things on land, but also livestock breeders as well as those in the fishing and aquaculture industry, thus providing a one-stop venue to disseminate information to stakeholders.

There will also be 13 pavilions from all Malaysian states, each displaying their respective unique offerings in the areas of art, culture, tourist attractions and cuisine, all working in sync to support the 48 segments that cover the entire ecosystem of the agrofood value chain, ranging from the conventional to the out-of-the-box in order to attract fresh talent into the industry.

Also present at yesterday’s media preview were Mohamad’s deputy Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, and ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.

Further information on the event can be found at mahaofficial.my.

Tags / Keywords: MAHA 2024 , Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu , Harvesting Tomorrow Where Dreams Blossom , Agricultural sector

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