Best Malaysian Dishes to Try on Your First Trip.
What can I say about Malaysian food? It’s a blend of tradition and innovation. The culinary traditions were once more segmented within their communities—Indian, Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian.
That’s why I initially thought the country’s food would be similar to that of other South Asian countries. But Malaysian food surprised me—it turned out to be a fusion of all the cultures here, and to me, it reflects the best of Asian cuisine.
So when you’re visiting Malaysia, you’ll be amazed by the number of options you can try and impressed with just how good Malaysian food really is.
I hope you’ll enjoy our guide with 4 typical Malaysian dishes we’ve already tried—and now recommend to you.
1. Nasi Lemak
The national dish of Malaysia. The rice for this meal is cooked in coconut milk, pandan leaves, and other spices, making it wonderfully aromatic. You have to try it to get a true taste of what locals love!
Nasi lemak is traditionally served with sambal (a chili sauce made with shrimp paste), fried dried anchovies, and roasted peanuts. Side dishes can include egg, tofu, calamari, or fried chicken.
2. Murtabak
A popular delicacy brought to Malaysia by Indian Muslim traders from the Tamil Nadu region. It’s stuffed with egg, onion, spices, and ground meat (usually mutton, beef, or chicken). Like roti, it’s typically served with dhal and curry sauces.
3. Assam Laksa
Assam laksa is somewhere between a thick noodle soup and a noodle dish with a rich, flavorful sauce. The laksa sauce is what makes all the difference—it’s the defining element that separates one version of laksa from another.
There are several types of laksa, but Assam Laksa is one of my favorites. A specialty of Penang, it features thick rice noodles in a sweet and sour fish broth.
4. Mee Goreng Mamak
This dish was brought to Malaysia by Indian Muslims.
It’s a mix of yellow egg noodles, beef or chicken, shrimp, a handful of vegetables, eggs, and a dash of soy sauce for seasoning.
Mee goreng mamak is not as hot as other Malaysian dishes, though it does have some chili for a spicy kick. The name is pretty self-explanatory—“mee” means noodles in Malay, and “goreng” means fried. Everything is tossed into a wok and cooked together—the smell is mouthwatering!
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, look out for a tofu version of mee goreng mamak—it’s a tasty alternative to the usual chicken or beef.