The best dishes to try when traveling in Malaysia
Malaysia is very versatile. Not only in terms of landscape and culture, but also in the culinary field! From typical Malay dishes, to Chinese and Indian, you can eat it all on every street corner. We have collected our own experiences and listed the best unique dishes to try when traveling in Malaysia.
What should I eat when in Malaysia?
Satay, Pisang Goreng and Nasi Lemak
Satay
Everyone knows satay. In Malaysia, however, it is served with a very tasty peanut sauce. This satay sauce is much oilier and contains some coarser pieces of peanuts. The satay is made from beef, lamb, or chicken and you get pieces of cucumber and onion served with it to neutralize your taste (⚠️Beware, it can be quite spicy!).
Pisang Goreng
Bami Goreng? (The Indonesian stir fried noodles?) That dish is also tasty, but no, we are talking about Pisang Goreng! This is fried banana that will make you want to lick your fingers. You can also get this almost everywhere. Delicious as a snack, dessert or side dish, so don't miss the opportunity to taste it when you're in Malaysia.
Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak is a typical breakfast in Malaysia. It's a good, nutritious start to the day. Nasi Lemak consists of coconut rice with meat (chicken, lamb, or beef) in a curry sauce. There is also a fried or boiled egg and pieces of cucumber. Dried anchovies and peanuts are sprinkled on top for extra flavor.
Fruit snacks
Malaysia has an abundance of fresh, exotic fruits. You will be amazed by the taste and the price. Because here, you pay almost 'nada' for your fresh fruit. Will you try the jackfruit, starfruit, or papayas? And if you visit Malaysia and think, "What is that smell?" That large fruit with spines is the famous "durian" which gives off a rather "peculiar" smell.
⚠️ Be careful not to touch it with your bare hands as it will linger around you for days! Make sure you eat it out of a bag with a skewer. Safety first!
Taste of various cultures
Malaysian cuisine naturally consists of many more dishes. However, we would also like to mention these other cuisines that are very popular in Malaysia.
Chinese cuisine!
For example, you can make a very tasty hot pot, where you cook vegetables, meat and eggs in a pan with water that you get on the table. Or slurp wonton soup and some tasty spring rolls.
Indian cuisine!
There is also no lack of delicious Indian dishes. The most delicious fish or meat curries are aplenty. If you are a vegetarian, you must try a Dahlcurry (lentil curry). A bit too spicy? Then eat yoghurt with it and lots of fresh herbs (like coriander). Another famous Indian dish that is very popular in Malaysia is chicken biryani. This spicy meat dish with fried rice is so full of flavor, color, and fragrance, that you should definitely try!
Haven't booked tickets to Malaysia yet? Check for cheap airline tickets and book a flight to Malaysia on BudgetAir.com! Explore this amazing country and if you need more ideas on what to do in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur or where to eat, check out our recommendations below!