Must-Try Malaysian Food: 15 Iconic Dishes You Can't Miss

Malaysia might just be the best food country in Asia. Malay, Chinese and Indian kitchens have mixed here for generations, and the result is a street-food scene that's hard to beat. Here are 15 must-try Malaysian dishes — start working through the list.

The Essentials

• Nasi lemak — the unofficial national dish: coconut rice with sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, egg and cucumber.
• Char kway teow — smoky wok-fried flat rice noodles with prawns, egg, bean sprouts and chives.
• Satay — skewered, grilled marinated meat served with peanut sauce, rice cakes and onions.
• Roti canai — flaky, pan-fried flatbread served with dhal or curry; a breakfast legend.
• Hainanese chicken rice — poached chicken with fragrant rice and chilli-ginger sauce.

Noodles & Soups

• Laksa — either tangy assam laksa (Penang) or rich, coconut curry laksa, both unmissable.
• Bak kut teh — herbal pork-rib soup, a Klang favourite best for a hearty meal.
• Mee goreng mamak — spicy fried yellow noodles from Indian-Muslim stalls.
• Wan tan mee — springy egg noodles with char siew and dumplings.

Rice & Mains

• Nasi kandar — Penang-style rice with a mix of curries poured over; bold and generous.
• Rendang — slow-cooked dry beef curry, rich with coconut and spices.
• Char siew rice — sweet-glazed barbecued pork over rice, a hawker staple.

Snacks & Sweets

• Rojak — fruit and vegetable salad tossed in a sweet, savoury prawn-paste dressing.
• Apam balik — a thick, crispy-edged peanut pancake folded over.
• Cendol — shaved ice with green rice-flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar — the perfect cool-down.

Where to Eat

Hawker centres and kopitiams (coffee shops) are where the magic happens. Penang is widely crowned the street-food capital, but KL, Ipoh, Melaka and Johor all have their own must-eats. Follow the crowds and the queues — they're usually right.

Related reading: our best places to visit in Malaysia, more Malaysia food and travel guides.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Malaysia's national dish?

Nasi lemak — coconut rice with sambal, anchovies, peanuts, egg and cucumber — is widely considered the national dish.

What food is Malaysia famous for?

Nasi lemak, char kway teow, satay, laksa, roti canai, Hainanese chicken rice, nasi kandar and cendol, among many others.

Which city has the best food in Malaysia?

Penang (George Town) is often called the street-food capital, but KL, Ipoh and Melaka are also fantastic.

A Malaysian food guide by ExFunCity. Dishes and stalls vary by region — half the fun is hunting down your favourite.