Last Updated on September 24, 2025 by Roslin Dwivedi
As a travel enthusiast, I always look forward to enjoying local and different cuisines other than Indian food. The same happened when we moved to Malaysia for my husband’s work. Living in Malaysia for one year allowed us to explore the culture and Malaysian delicacies closely. Due to the low cost of living, the food was not so expensive and I used to mostly order for my lunch. In 10 Rm (Ringgit) you can enjoy one nice dish of your choice.
Malaysian food shows a cultural blend, location-derived food on a plate. You will find spicy Malay curries, Samble sauce that you will fall in love with, Chinese-style seafoods and Indian-inspired street snacks, the variety is tremendous.
To experience the raw, real, and famous Malaysian dishes, the Best Malaysian hawker food and Malaysian food culture, you must visit their markets and streets. Some luxury properties do meet the taste but the vibes are met on the streets. If you’re planning a trip to Malaysia, here are the Malaysian foods you must try to taste Malaysia in its truest form.
Must-try Malaysian foods in Kuala Lumpur / Penang / Malacca/ langkawi –
Malaysian Traditional Staples & Rice Dishes
1. Nasi Lemak – The National Favourite
Nasi Lemak brings you fragrant coconut rice with sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, and egg. Sometimes paired with fried chicken or rendang. Nasi means rice and Lemak means rice filled with richness referring to coconut milk used to cook the rice. Nasi Lemak is a traditional Malaysian food and the beautiful plate looks like this.
Where to try it: Village Park Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur.
2. Nasi Kerabu – The Blue Rice Dish
One afternoon in Langkawi, I was close to a street restaurant and found this dish, its complete picture made me want to try the blue rice and the whole plating presentation was very attractive. It’s a Kelantan speciality where rice is dyed blue with butterfly pea flowers, served with herbs, fried fish or chicken, and budu (fermented fish sauce).
Where to try it: Traditional Kelantanese eateries or local markets.
3. Roti Canai – Crispy, Flaky Breakfast
It’s similar to Indian Paratha. My husband loved it. Served with dhal or curry, this Indian-inspired flatbread is a breakfast staple.
Where to try it: Any mamak stall across Malaysia.
4. Murtabak – The Savoury Stuffed Pancake
I tried this dish at one of the potlucks we did back in Langkawi and totally loved it. It’s one of the most loved local street foods in Malaysia.
Think of it as roti canai’s big brother — thicker, stuffed with minced meat, onions, and egg, then pan-fried. Hearty and perfect for dinner.
Where to try it: Mamak stalls or Ramadan night markets or Night Markets in Langkawi.
5. Nasi Goreng – Malaysia’s Go-To Fried Rice
Nasi Goreng is a simple yet satisfying dish. Nasi goreng (fried rice) is a comfort dish you’ll find everywhere. My most afternoon lunches used to be this. Often cooked with egg, prawns, or chicken, and served with sambal on the side. A simple dish that’s never boring. Nasi Goreng literally means “fried rice,” but in Malaysia, it comes in countless variations — spicy with sambal, smoky with prawns, or topped with a fried egg (the classic “Nasi Goreng Kampung”). It’s the kind of food Malaysians turn to for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even midnight supper. Affordable, filling, and always satisfying.
Where to try it: Any roadside stall, mamak restaurant, or night market — each has its own twist.
Seafood Feasts in Malaysia
6. Fried Crab – Messy but Worth It
Well, I never tried this. But I am sure it was delicious. I am adding it to the list so people know the variety of seafood you can get in Malaysia. You may find it cooked in chilli, black pepper, or salted egg yolk sauce, Malaysian-style crab is spicy, rich, and finger-licking good.
Where to try it: Klang or Penang seafood restaurants or any night markets, Christmas markets.
7. Stir-Fried Chinese Cabbage – A Simple Side
Lightly stir-fried with garlic or dried shrimp, this dish balances out heavy seafood feasts. This is a very simple dish but it tastes amazing.
Where to try it: Chinese seafood restaurants across Malaysia.
8. Clams in Kam Heong Sauce – Spicy & Aromatic
Clams in Kam Heong Sauce are slightly spicy but taste great. It’s one of the best Malaysian seafood dishes cooked with curry leaves, chilli, and dried shrimp. This dish is fragrant and punchy.
Where to try it: Port Klang or Penang seafood eateries.
9. Steamed Fish – Served Big & Fresh 🐟
It’s a giant platter of fresh fish, usually topped with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, meant for sharing family-style. This fish dish is light and delicious. The gravy is very light and not heavy like Indian curries. That makes you feel like having soup with steamed fish. The species makes the taste great if mixed with rice and eaten.
Where to try it: Chinese seafood restaurants, especially in coastal towns.
Street Food & Snacks
10. Laksa – Malaysia’s Iconic Noodle Soup
Choose between the sour Asam Laksa (Penang) or the creamy Curry Laksa (KL & Malacca). Both are must-tries.
Where to try it: Air Itam, Penang or Madras Lane, KL.
11. Char Kway Teow – Smoky Stir-Fried Noodles
Flat noodles tossed in high heat with prawns, cockles, bean sprouts, and soy sauce. The wok hei (smoky aroma) is unforgettable. One of our friends in Malaysia told me to try this and I loved it.
Where to try it: I tried this dish at The Westin Langkawi Resorts, Seasonal Tastes restaurant. Or can try at Penang hawker stalls like Gurney Drive.
12. Lok Lok – Skewers with a Twist
I have included this on the list of Must-try Malaysian foods, because I have never seen this type of snack anywhere else. And it’s great. My son and I used to have fish lok-lok every time we went to a playground. This dish is very much available at food stalls. It’s one of the street hotpots where you choose skewers of meat, seafood, and veggies, then dip them in boiling broth or fry them. Don’t forget the dipping sauces!
Where to try it: Night markets in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Bahru.
13. Satay – Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Charcoal-grilled skewers dipped in thick peanut sauce, served with rice cakes and cucumber.
Where to try it: Kajang town, near Kuala Lumpur.
14. Korean-Style Cheese Corndog – Street Food with a Twist 🧀
Yesss 🙌 Cheese corndogs are such a fun addition! They’ve become a huge trend in Malaysia, especially among younger crowds at night markets. I’ll add them toward the end of the list so they flow naturally with the street-food vibe. Here’s the updated section with your new entry included:
A newer addition to Malaysia’s street food scene, these crispy, golden corndogs are stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese (sometimes mixed with sausage). Rolled in sugar and drizzled with sauces, they’re crunchy, cheesy, and Insta-worthy.
Where to try it: Night markets in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru.
Desserts & Drinks to try in Malaysia
15. Teh Tarik & Cendol – The Sweet Finish
Teh Tarik (“pulled tea”) is Malaysia’s creamy, frothy drink. Cendol is shaved ice with coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and jelly — perfect for cooling down.
Where to try it: Any mamak stall or local dessert vendor.
16. Apam Balik – Peanut Pancake Snack
A fluffy, folded pancake filled with crushed peanuts, sweet corn, and sugar. Crispy on the edges, soft in the middle.
Where to try it: Night markets and roadside stalls.
Some more drinks that you should try in Malaysia are in the local markets, which you can find in street
food stalls.
Final thoughts
In Malaysia, food is more than just eating — it’s culture, family, and fun. So loosen your belt, hit the hawker stalls, and savour all the delicious Malaysian local food from coconut-scented rice dishes to sizzling seafood platters and indulge in night market snacks and milk drinks. Malaysia’s food scene is one of the richest in the world. Eating like a local is the best way to experience the country’s culture — so bring your appetite and dive in.
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