10 Malaysian Delicacies You Can't Miss

When you're in Kuala Lumpur or the culinary hub of Penang, don't miss the chance to try a bowl of spicy Assam Laksa or some fragrant satay skewers.

1. Penang Assam Laksa Noodles

Penang Assam Laksa is Malaysia's iconic dish, making it a must-try when visiting the country, especially in Penang, just under 300 km from the capital Kuala Lumpur.

Assam Laksa features thick, chewy noodles immersed in a broth made from fish tamarind soup. Its distinctive sourness comes from tamarind, harmonizing perfectly with the sweetness of flaked mackerel and various herbs like mint, scallions, lemongrass, and ginger, creating a hot and flavorful bowl of noodles with an unforgettable spicy kick. CNN Travel ranks Assam Laksa 7th on its list of the world's 50 most delicious foods.

2. Nasi Kandar Curry Rice

Nasi Kandar, a dish originating from the Indian community in Malaysia, is widely sold in street food stalls in Penang. What sets Nasi Kandar apart is its distinctive curry sauce with a spicy, warm blend of flavors. Served with steaming rice, diners can choose from a variety of options such as beef, chicken, shrimp, boiled eggs, okra, bitter gourd, and eggplant... The variety of dishes is endless, depending on your appetite.

3. Hokkien Mee Noodles

The two most famous spots to enjoy Hokkien Mee noodles in Malaysia are in the capital Kuala Lumpur and on Penang Island. However, the preparation of this dish differs between the two places. Hokkien Mee in Kuala Lumpur is made from yellow egg noodles mixed with thick, brown soy sauce. The dish becomes even richer with the fragrant sweetness from pork, squid, shrimp, and a bit of sambal belacan for added spiciness.

Meanwhile, Hokkien Mee in Penang boasts a fragrant aroma and rich flavor from pork and sweet broth made from simmered bones. The dish also entices diners with the appealing combination of white and yellow egg noodles along with fish balls, shrimp, and crispy fried shallots. Hokkien Mee is a popular and beloved breakfast dish in Penang.

4. Satay Grilled Skewers

Satay is essentially skewered meat marinated with peanuts and a variety of characteristic spices for a rich flavor profile, then grilled over glowing charcoal. The aroma of these grilled meat skewers wafts through the food streets of Malaysia, enticing many tourists to stop and indulge.

Meat used for making satay can be chicken, goat, lamb, or thinly sliced beef skewered on sharpened bamboo sticks. Satay is a popular street food in many Southeast Asian countries, but Malaysia is where you'll find the most exquisite satay flavor in the world. It's often said that visiting Malaysia without trying satay is like not truly experiencing this land.

5. Rojak Mixed Fruit Salad

Rojak is a type of salad made from various finely chopped vegetables and fruits such as green mango, green apple, cucumber, papaya, guava... mixed in a spicy sauce with a salty taste of shrimp paste combined with fried tofu, topped with finely ground peanuts, aromatic and crunchy. The harmonious combination of various fruits with some seafood such as jellyfish or shrimp creates an irresistible sweet and spicy taste, stimulating diners from both sight to taste.

6. Pasembur Mixed Dish

Pasembur, also known as Mamak Rojak, is a dish consisting of boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, radishes, finely chopped cucumbers, tofu, squid, fried shrimp, octopus mixed evenly in a mixture of spicy-sweet sauce made from peanuts, chili sauce, and sweet potatoes. The sauce with its unique flavor is the characteristic that makes the mixed dish of Malaysia so appealing.

7. Siamese Noodles (Mee Siam)

Mee Siam, made from fine rice vermicelli cooked in a sour, sweet, and spicy sauce made from tamarind, dried shrimp, and fermented beans. The vermicelli soaked in the characteristic sauce blends harmoniously with the fragrant sweetness of shrimp, chicken meat, chopped boiled eggs, tofu, boiled eggs, and garnished with a little green spring onion, making the dish more visually appealing and bringing a completely different flavor that no other noodles in Malaysia can offer.

8. Char Kuey Teow

Char Kuey Teow is a special dish beloved in this Muslim country and considered a specialty of Penang Island. The noodles are made from rice noodles stir-fried with black soy sauce along with nutritious seafood such as shrimp, clams, topped with finely chopped boiled eggs, bean sprouts, spring onions, and a bit of spicy chili sauce creating a distinctive flavor for the dish.

9. Nasi Lemak Rice

Nasi Lemak Rice with rice cooked in coconut milk until fragrant. The rice retains its delicious aroma and is best enjoyed when wrapped in banana leaves, accompanied by crispy salted peanuts, dried fish, dried venison, chili sauce, and complemented with cucumber and sliced boiled eggs. Sometimes, Nasi Lemak rice also includes chicken, beef, seafood, or lamb curry for added richness.

10. Wonton Mee

Wonton Mee, a dish originating from China with various versions, from dry stir-fried noodles to soup noodles, but all conquer diners everywhere with unforgettable flavors. However, the most delicious and famous must be the dry stir-fried noodles in Penang. The golden egg noodles are mixed in hot and spicy sambal sauce, accompanied by steamed, boiled, or fried wontons along with a bit of char siu, sweet green vegetables, and spring onions, bringing delight to diners even on the first taste.

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Source: Mytour Travel Guide - From: ngoisao.net.