Food & Drinks Highlights of Malaysia | French Dishes to Try
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Food and Drinks Highlights of Malaysia
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Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Malaysia. However, some restaurants include a 10% service charge in the bill.
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Eating Hours: Malaysians typically eat breakfast early, lunch around noon to 1:30 pm, and dinner from 7 pm to 8 pm. Street food stalls often open late and remain available well into the night.
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Shopping Hours: Most shops and shopping centers in Malaysia are open from 10 am to 10 pm, including weekends.
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Discount Shops: Look for deals at local markets or chain hypermarkets like Tesco, Giant, and Mydin for good bargains.
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Cuisine Type: Malaysian cuisine is a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences, featuring dishes such as nasi lemak, laksa, and roti canai.
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Savoir Vivre: It's common to eat with your hands in Malaysia, particularly when enjoying traditional Malay or Indian meals. Always use your right hand.
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Main Ingredients: Key ingredients include rice, coconut milk, seafood, and a variety of spices, reflecting the country's tropical location and cultural diversity.
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Most Popular Alcohol: While Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country and alcohol is less prevalent, locally brewed beers and imported drinks are available in urban areas.
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Important Info: During the month of Ramadan, many Muslim-owned eateries are closed during the day but open and very lively at night for breaking the fast.
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Warning: When eating with your hands, do not pass food with your left hand as it is considered unclean.
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Farmers' Markets: Local markets or 'pasar tani' are popular for buying fresh local produce, meats, and spices, especially early in the morning.
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Cooking Workshops: Many tourist areas offer cooking classes that focus on Malaysian dishes, teaching the blend of culinary techniques from Malay, Chinese, and Indian traditions.
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Vineyard Visits: While not traditionally known for its wine, Malaysia has a growing interest in grape cultivation, especially in cooler regions like the highlands.
Foods to Try in Malaysia
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Nasi Lemak: Considered the national dish of Malaysia, this fragrant rice dish is cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, typically served with anchovies, peanuts, boiled egg, cucumber, and sambal (spicy chili paste).
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Laksa: A spicy noodle soup from the Peranakan culture, which blends Chinese and Malay elements. It comes in various regional forms, including the creamy coconut curry laksa and the tangy, tamarind-based assam laksa.
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Roti Canai: An Indian-influenced flatbread, fluffy and crispy, often served with dhal (lentil curry) or curry for dipping.
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Char Kway Teow: A popular noodle dish from Penang, stir-fried with shrimp, bloody cockles, Chinese lap cheong (sausage), eggs, bean sprouts, and chives in a mix of soy sauce.
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Satay: Skewered and grilled meats, such as chicken or beef, marinated with local spices and served with a spicy peanut sauce.
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Kuih: Traditional Malaysian snacks, these bite-sized treats are colorful, often sweet but sometimes savory, and made from rice or glutinous rice.
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Rendang: A rich and tender coconut beef stew, which is famously cooked for hours in coconut milk and spices until the liquids evaporate and the meat turns dark and tender.
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Hainanese Chicken Rice: Although of Chinese origin, this dish is a staple in Malaysian cuisine. It consists of poached chicken and seasoned rice, served with chili sauce and usually cucumber garnishes.
Interesting Malaysian Food Facts
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Diverse Culinary Influences: Malaysian cuisine is a rich tapestry of flavors influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Javanese, and Sumatran cultures, making it incredibly diverse and complex.
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Staple Food: Rice is the staple food in Malaysia, found in almost every meal, including breakfast dishes like nasi lemak and various rice-based snacks.
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Love for Spice: Malaysians love their spices and chili, which can be seen in almost every dish, from breakfasts to snacks and dinners.
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Coconut in Cuisine: Coconut is extensively used in Malaysian cooking, be it through the use of coconut milk, oil, or shredded coconut in desserts and main dishes.
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Teh Tarik: Literally meaning "pulled tea," this popular Malaysian drink is made from black tea and condensed milk; it is poured back and forth between two vessels, giving it a thick frothy top.
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Street Food Culture: Street food is integral to Malaysian food culture, with night markets (pasar malam) offering a plethora of dishes that are both cheap and delicious.