5 of the Best Traditional Food in Malaysia
Malaysia is known for its multicultural diversity. This melting pot of cultures has given Malaysians years of sharing each other’s culture, lifestyle and food. If you’re craving Malaysian flavours to try at home, below are some of the best known traditional and popular Malaysian dishes!
1. Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak Nasi Lemak (literally, “rice and coconut”) is a popular Malaysian dish consisting of steamed rice and grated fresh coconut, served on banana leaves. The hearty dish is often served for breakfast or lunch.
It is popular in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, and some parts of Thailand and the Philippines. Nasi Lemak is also popularly known as the "National Breakfast" of Malaysia and is often eaten with sambal, a spicy chilli paste. Sambal recipes vary from region to region but there are some universal ingredients that are always present in all types of sambal: shrimp paste (belacan), anchovies, tamarind paste and bird’s eye chilies. The sambal is one of the main components for the Nasi Lemak.
2. Seri-Aji Banana Fritter
Banana Fritters (also called Pisang Goreng) is a Southeast Asian street snack popular in Malaysia. They can be found at almost every corner of the country. The banana fritter is a sweet, yeast-raised doughnut that is deep fried. It is typically made with banana, Seri-Aji® Banana Fritter Flour and water. The bananas are deep fried till golden brown; crispy on the outside, and sweet and creamy on the inside. If you’re tired of making banana bread, Banana Fritters are a delicious way to use up your ripe bananas. Fried to a golden perfection, they are full of flavour and perfect for an evening snack.
3. Classic Chicken Rendang
Chicken Rendang is a popular Malaysian dish, served in many different ways. It has a long history and is considered an important dish in Malaysian cooking. It's also very tasty and can be prepared by anyone, even if they've never cooked before. The Chicken Rendang Recipe usually consists of coconut milk, shredded coconut, onions, garlic, lemongrass, galangal (a rhizome like ginger) and turmeric leaves. The original recipe calls for whole chicken pieces, but it can be made with boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs as well. The chicken should be cooked until it’s tender and juicy. The sauce can then be served with steamed rice on the side.
4. Curry Mee
Curry Mee is said to be one of the best Malaysian food in Malaysia. The best part about Curry Mee is that it's healthy, delicious and filling at the same time. It's a delicious meal that everyone loves. It is made with yellow noodles, which is a type of egg noodles. These noodles are cooked in a spicy gravy made from coconut milk, tamarind paste and curry meat powder. The dish combines the sweetness of curry and the savoury taste of prawns with the noodles. There are three main ingredients: prawns, cockles and fish balls that gives this dish its distinct taste. The best part about this Curry Mee Recipe? It's super easy to make!
5. Pan Mee
Pan Mee is a traditional Chinese noodle dish popular in Malaysia that consists of noodles and vegetables. It can be made with egg, meat or vegetables, and the flavours are truly unique. Pan Mee is also known as Mee Hoon Kuih, which is commonly prepared at home. A great bowl of pan mee should consist of flat noodles, each bowl filled with lots of minced chicken, a few slices of bird's eye chilli, spinach and many more flavourful ingredients. The ingredients are boiled together in water until they become soft, then it is drained and well decorated in a bowl. The best part about this recipe is that the soup or stock can be made with just 3 ingredients which are TUMIX® Ikan Bilis (Anchovy) Seasoning, AJI-NO-MOTO® PLUS Seasoning and of course, water!
More Malaysian Food for You to Try
Malaysian cuisine offers some of the best traditional food that anyone must try. Food such as nasi lemak, rendang, and curry mee are all truly unique dishes so highly recognisable in this fascinating culture.
With its incredible flavour and bountiful nutritious benefits, can there really be a better place than Malaysia for tantalising your tastebuds? Check out more delicious and easy to prepare recipes at the link below: