A selection of Malaysian street food skewers displayed at a food stall, with various ingredients like tofu and meat on sticks. The image is overlaid with text reading "15 Must Try Malaysian Dishes" and features the Malaysian flag,

15 Must Try Malaysian Dishes That Define the Country’s Cuisine

I spent four months exploring Malaysia, and the food became my guide. Each meal introduced me to a new aspect of this country. In Melaka, I sat by the river enjoying Cendol from a local vendor. the perfect sweetness on a hot day. In Kuala Lumpur, a simple plate of Hainanese Chicken Rice showed me how basic ingredients can create unforgettable flavors. Then in Ipoh, a bowl of curry mee stirred memories I didn’t know I had. The country’s culinary scene is vast, and there are must try Malaysian dishes that define its essence.

Food stalls in busy markets and small, tucked away eateries became my go-to spots. Locals would share their dishes with pride, and I felt the warmth of their hospitality. I realized that to truly understand Malaysia, you have to taste it yourself.

So here are 15 must try Malaysian dishes that define the country’s cuisine. These meals left a mark on me, and I hope they do the same for you.

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1. Cendol

Cendol is a sweet dessert popular in Malaysia and It’s ideal for the country’s hot climate. The dessert includes shaved ice, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup. Green rice flour jelly strands, known as cendol, give it texture and name. These jelly noodles are flavored with pandan leaves, adding a fragrant aroma.

this sweet concction reflects Malaysia’s diverse cultural influences. It’s a staple in street food scenes across the country. Vendors serve it from carts and small shops. The dessert blends Malay, Chinese, Indian and even English elements seamlessly.

In Melaka, I found a riverside stall serving exceptional cendol. The balance of sweetness and freshness stands out and makes it a must try Malaysian dish

2. Rojak

Rojak is a Malaysian salad mixing fruits and vegetables. Common ingredients include cucumber, pineapple, and mango. The salad features a spicy, sweet, and tangy sauce made from palm sugar and shrimp paste. Crushed peanuts often top it for added texture.
Rojak is heavily influenced by the Mamak Indian community. But It blends Malay, Chinese, and Indian flavors into one dish where street vendors and local eateries serve it across the country.

In Melaka you will find Restoran Cahaya Dinar and this spot had the tastiest version I experienced during my time seeking out must try Malaysian dishes.

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3. Hainanese Chicken Rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice features tender poached or roasted chicken over fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and ginger. The dish served with a spicy chili sauce that adds a kick. The tender chicken melds beautifully with the fragrant rice and the chili sauce gives it that little bit of extra umph.

This dish is ubiquitous, found from street stalls to upscale restaurants. In Kuala Lumpur, I tasted an exceptional version at Canton Z. The simplicity of the ingredients create unforgettable flavors. Honourable mention goes out to Ipoh Hainan Chicken Rice with another excellent version.

4. Kaya Toast

Kaya Toast is a popular breakfast in Malaysia. Featuring grilled bread spread with kaya, a sweet jam made from coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and pandan leaves. Usually there will be a pad of slightly melted butter on top of the jam The pandan adds a fragrant aroma that complements the sweetness and the butter is just an added bonus of fatty goodness. This will often be served with a half boiled egg for dipping your toast into.

At Soon Wah Kopitiam in Ipoh, I was introduced to another version. But this version was a Hong Kong style kaya toast. Instead of a typical piece of toasted white bread, this version is a bun that has been caramelized with the pad of butter and kaya stuffed inside. Literally perfection!

Read Next: Where to Eat in Koh Samui, Thailand

5. Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak is often considered Malaysia’s national dish. The rice for this meal is cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves making it very aromatic

The dish comes with various sides. Typical accompaniments include fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, cucumber slices, and hard-boiled eggs. A spicy sambal adds heat to the meal.

Nasi Lemak is one of the most versatile meals. Served at breakfast, lunch, or dinner at street vendors and restaurants across the country .

In Ipoh, look for Nellie’s Deli for the best version of Nasi Lemak you will ever eat in your life. Order it with fried chicken to get the real meaning behind “finger licking good”.

6. Curry Debal

Curry Debal, or Devil’s Curry, originates from Malaka’s Kristang community. The Kristang are descendants of Portuguese settlers from the 16th century. This dish blends Portuguese and Malaysian culinary traditions.

It features meat, usually chicken or beef, cooked in a spicy sauce. The sauce includes chilies, mustard seeds, vinegar, garlic, ginger, turmeric and candle nuts. The Chilies add a powerful kick and the candle nuts add a beautifully oily, earthy flavour

Traditionally, families made this dish after Christmas to use leftover meats. And while it is often referred to as devil’s curry due to the deep red color and heat the chili’s leave, the word debal actually translates to leftovers in the Kristang language so it doesn’t actually translate to devil’s curry.

If you’re in Melaka, you will see many restaurants advertising this dish. Don’t Go to these restaurants, they’re not good. Head to the Portuguese village and find Restoran De Lisbon. Here you can have curry debal made by an actual Kristang descendent.

You Might Also Like: Penang’s Best Malay Food at Qually’s Syok Segarnya

7. Giant Fresh Water Prawns

Known for their large size and sweet, tender meat, these prawns will blow your mind. There must be something to all the talk of the calcium rich waters surround Perak State in Malaysia because I have honestly never seen prawns this big before.

The prawns have become a staple for the Chinese Malaysians in the area and for good reason. One of these beasts is enough to feed a person and there often prepared very simply in white wine and sometimes a bit intricately with numerous spices, lime juice, tamarind etc.

At Restoran Makanan Laut Yau Kee in Kampar, you will find these giant river prawns simply prepared in a white wine reduction as well as a plethora of other tasty seafood dishes.

8. Golden Tofu

Golden Tofu isn’t your average tofu dish. It’s deep fried until the outside is crispy and golden, while the inside stays soft and creamy, almost like custard. The contrast between the crunchy shell and the silky center is other worldly.

I tried Golden Tofu in several places across Malaysia, but the best was at Restoran Makanan Laut Yau Kee in Kampar. That’s right, the same place where I had the giant freshwater prawns. They serve it with a savory sauce made from ground pork and shrimp, which added extra flavor to each bite.

If you think tofu is bland, this version might change your mind. It’s a dish worth trying when you’re exploring Malaysian cuisine.

9. Char Kway Teow

I tried Char Kway Teow in many locations in Malaysia. And this stir-fried noodle dish became one of my favorites. It features flat rice noodles cooked with soy sauce, eggs, bean sprouts, and often prawns or cockles. If you’re lucky and can find it with a fried duck egg, even better. Cooking over high heat gives it a smoky flavor called “wok hei.”

The best Char Kway Teow I had was at Kedai Kopi Malabar in Georgetown, Penang. The noodles were tender with a satisfying chew. The flavors were rich and well-balanced. It was by far the best one I had, but get anywhere you possibly can.

Char Kway Teow shows the Chinese influence on Malaysian cuisine. You’ll find it at many hawker stalls across the country. If you enjoy noodle dishes, give this one a try.

10.Roti Canai

Roti Canai is a flaky, layered flatbread. It’s made by flipping and stretching dough repeatedly. This process creates a crispy outside and a soft, chewy inside.

People enjoy Roti Canai at all hours in Malaysia. It’s served with dhal or curry sauces. Some versions include fillings like eggs or bananas.

You can find this everywhere in the county, and don’t just stop roti canai. Rotis come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and flavors. Roti jala, roti telur, roti tisu and so on.

Roti Canai reflects Malaysia’s Indian heritage. You’ll find it at mamak stalls everywhere. When exploring Malaysian cuisine, make sure to try this dish.

11. Asam Pedas

Asam Pedas is a spicy and sour fish stew popular in Malaysia. The name means “sour spicy” in Malay. It’s made with tamarind juice, chili paste, and a mix of spices. Common fish used are mackerel, snapper or stingray, although you can also find beef versions of the dish as well with ox tail or tendon

I tried Asam Pedas in several places. The best was in Malaka at Asam Pedas Apak. The broth was tangy and packed with heat with okra and tomatoes adding texture and depth to the stew. Honourable mention goes out to Kesum Art Restaurant for their asam pedas ekor in Penang

This dish reflects the pure Malay influence on Malaysian cuisine. It’s hearty and full of bold flavors. If you enjoy spicy food, Asam Pedas is a dish to try when looking for must try Malaysian dishes.

12. Nasi Campur

Nasi Campur means “mixed rice” in Malay. It’s a meal where you start with steamed rice and add various side dishes. Options include meats, vegetables, eggs, and different types of sambal. You choose what you like, so each plate is unique.

this was one of those dishes I wanted often so I ate it everywhere. Easily the best one was at Qually’s Nusantara Kitchen(now Qually’s Syok Segarnya). Yes, I am extremely biased because I love the owner so much, but honestly you won’t find a better nasi campur.

Nasi Campur showcases the diversity of Malaysian cuisine, bringing together different tastes on one plate. If you want to experience a range of local dishes in one meal, give Nasi Campur a try.

13 & 14. Char Siu & Siu Yuk

I’m lumping 13 and 14 together because honestly where you find one you will usually find the other. Siu Yuk is crispy roasted pork belly with crackling skin and Char Siew is barbecued pork shoulder glazed with a sweet sauce.

These dishes were made famous in China but the Chinese Malaysians now rule the pork game. One of the highlights of my time in Malaysia was being able to spend the wee hours of the morning with Kenn Ong, the owner and chef from Canton Z in Kuala Lumpur as he made the days Char Siew and Siu Yuk. And when I say “the days”, I mean exactly that. No less than 25 whole pork bellies(Siu yuk) were made that day along with fifty plus pork shoulders(Char Siew). I then watched him open his doors at 8:00am and becompletely sold out by 11:00am. Three hours total and it was all gone along with probably another 50 poached andor roasted chickens.

This is the Chinese influence on Malaysian cuisine in all it’s glory. And if your looking for must try Malaysian dishes this should be your first stop.

15. Asam Laksa

Asam Laksa is the quintessential Malaysian Dish and most likely the one you will read the most about before your arrival. It’s a tangy and spicy noodle soup, with the broth being made from tamarind and fish, giving it a sour and savory flavor. Rice noodles are added, along with garnishes like cucumber, onions, mint, and chili.

Asam Laksa represents everything that is beautiful about Malaysia. The two best versions I found of it were at Meng Foong Mee Kari in Ipoh and Laksa Kg Baru in the Chowkit area of Kuala Lumpur. Both unique asam laksa’s you should seek out when looking for must try Malaysian dishes

15 Must Try Malaysian Dishes Conclusion

Malaysia’s culinary scene is a journey through diverse flavors and cultures. From sweet desserts like Cendol to hearty dishes like Nasi Lemak, each meal offers something special. These 15 Malaysian dishes left a lasting impression on me.

Now it’s your turn. Have you tried any of these dishes? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have other recommendations, let us know. Your insights could help fellow travelers explore Malaysia’s rich cuisine.

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