Malaysian Cuisine

31 dishes · Community built

Malaysian Dishes

#1

Nasi Lemak

Malaysia's national dish — fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, served with sambal, crispy anchovies, r...

#2

Laksa

A rich, complex noodle soup — curry laksa (coconut milk based) or asam laksa (tamarind-soured fish broth). Penang asam l...

#3

Char Kway Teow

Flat rice noodles stir-fried over extreme heat with prawns, cockles, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts and egg in a dark soy...

#4

Rendang

One of Southeast Asia's greatest dishes — beef slow-cooked in coconut milk and a complex paste of lemongrass, galangal, ...

#5

Satay Malaysian

Malaysian satay uses a more complex marinade than Thai — turmeric, lemongrass, galangal and coriander — and its thicker,...

#6

Ikan Assam Pedas

Fish simmered in a tangy, spicy tamarind-based sauce, a beloved Malaysian dish.

#7

Nasi Dagang

Fragrant glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, served with a rich fish curry, an East Coast specialty.

#8

Malaysian Mee Goreng

Stir-fried yellow noodles in a tangy, spicy tomato-based sauce with tofu and egg.

#9

Kuih Seri Muka

A two-layered dessert with sweet glutinous rice topped with a fragrant pandan custard.

#10

Ais Kacang

A shaved ice dessert topped with sweet syrups, red beans, and jellies.

#11

Malaysian Apam Balik

A thick, folded pancake filled with crushed peanuts, sweet corn, and sugar.

#12

Otak-Otak

A spiced fish paste mixed with coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaf and grilled.

#13

Nasi Kerabu

Blue-tinted rice, colored naturally with butterfly pea flower, served with herbs and fried fish.

#14

Kuih Lapis

A colorful, multi-layered steamed rice flour cake, chewy and lightly sweet.

#15

Assam Laksa

A sour, fish-based noodle soup from Penang, tangy with tamarind and topped with fresh herbs.

#16

Chee Cheong Fun

Silky steamed rice noodle rolls, drizzled with sweet soy sauce and topped with sesame seeds.

#17

Malaysian Bak Kut Teh

Pork ribs simmered for hours in a fragrant herbal and spice broth, a beloved Chinese-Malaysian dish.

#18

Murtabak

A stuffed, folded flatbread filled with minced meat, egg, and onion, pan-fried until crisp.

#19

Nasi Goreng Kampung

Spicy fried rice with anchovies and a fried egg, a rustic Malaysian village-style dish.

#20

Kaya Toast

Toasted bread spread with coconut jam and butter, traditionally served with soft-boiled eggs and soy sauce.

#21

Cendol

Shaved ice dessert with green rice flour jelly noodles, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup.

#22

Nasi Kandar

Steamed rice served with a variety of curries and side dishes, ladled with mixed curry gravies.

#23

Satay Celup

Skewered raw ingredients cooked at the table in a shared pot of hot satay peanut sauce.

#24

Rojak

A mixed fruit and vegetable salad tossed in a thick, sweet shrimp paste dressing.

#25

Yong Tau Foo

Tofu and vegetables stuffed with fish paste, served in a light broth or with sauce.

#26

Nasi Ulam

Rice tossed with a fragrant mix of finely chopped fresh herbs and toasted coconut.

#27

Tau Sar Pneah

A flaky, biscuit-like pastry filled with sweet mung bean paste, a Penang specialty.

#28

Roti Canai

A flaky, layered flatbread, pan-fried until crisp, typically served with a curry dipping sauce.

#29

Roti John

A pan-fried omelette sandwich with minced meat and onion, stuffed into a split baguette.

#30

Curry Mee

Egg noodles in a rich, spiced coconut curry broth, topped with tofu puffs, cockles, and chili.

#31

Ikan Bakar

Whole fish marinated in a spiced sambal paste and grilled over charcoal, a Malaysian favorite.

Help build Malaysian cuisine on What To Eat

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