Street Food In Malaysia That Will Make You Want More

A diverse population means stellar food combinations, and street food in Malaysia is prime proof of this!

Published On Dec 25, 2024 | Updated On Jan 06, 2025

Image

Malaysia is home to a diverse ethnic population, with over 70% Malay, 23% Chinese, and 7% Indian. The street food in Malaysia is a gastronomic explosion of tastes and spices since the country is home to people from so many diverse countries.

As a result of the large influx of Tamil, Arab, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, and European immigrants, Kuala Lumpur's cuisine is among the most diversified in the world. If you didn't indulge in some of the must-try food in Malaysia before you left the country, you would be doing yourself a huge disservice.

Even though there are sections of the city devoted to each of the three main cuisines—Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian—there are several examples of how one has influenced the other. We couldn't possibly cover all the types and variants in just one post, but here are a few of the most well-known street foods in Malaysia. We strongly advise that you give each one a try!

Image

One of the best street foods in Malaysia, Char Kuey Teow has gone from being a "poor man's food" to a beloved dish in the neighbourhood. The dish is made with spicy flat rice noodles, chopped shrimp, cockles, bean sprouts, eggs, and Chinese chives, and its name translates to "stir-fried rice cake strips." It's cooked at high heat and seasoned with soy sauce. You may also get versions of this meal that are hiked in pork fat with pieces of Chinese sausage and fishcake if you like a more authentic Chinese flavour.

Image

After WWII, Chinese seamen brought this flavourful soup—also called Ha Mee—to Malaysia from China's Hokkien region. The signature soup of Hokkein Mee is a combination of dried fish, clams, pork, and prawn heads stewed together in a particular broth. In the end, a hard-cooked egg and a tablespoon of homemade chilli sauce top off the dish that has two types of noodles (egg noodles and rice vermicelli), kankong (also known as "water spinach"), bean sprouts, tender pork pieces, squid, and shrimp. Truly, one of the best Malaysian street food!

Image

One of the must-try foods in Malaysia, if you're looking for a flavour explosion, look no further than Rojak! Lime juice, sugar, chillies, and peanuts come together to make a sticky, acidic sauce that floats on top of a mixture of crisp vegetables like cucumbers and turnips and tropical fruits like mangoes and pineapples. A Malaysian salad with a lot more flavour and excitement! This Rojak isn't your average salad, despite the name. This combination of spicy, sweet, and sour flavours will excite your taste buds!

Image

One of the best Malaysian street food! Even though it originated in India, you may now find this breakfast or snack dish all across Asia. One unusual step in making this cheap flatbread is to roll out the dough like a rope, twist it, and then roll it out again. As the roti cooks, this method creates layers that are flaky.Typical accompaniments include curries and dhal, a lentil soup with a curry flavour. It goes well with Teh Tarik, often known as "pulled tea," when served for breakfast.

Image

In addition to their delicious flavour, these flat rice noodles are unique in the globe and have a fascinating history. It is said that the unique spring water from the limestone hills around Ipoh gives these noodles their unparalleled taste. The noodles were brought to Malaysia by Chinese immigrants in Ipoh, which is in Perak State. A luscious soup made with prawns, shredded chicken, mushrooms, spring onions, fish balls, and other seafood is served with rice noodles. They are sometimes accompanied by spicy chillies in soy sauce and are also known as Kai See Hor Fun, one of the best street foods in Malaysia!

Image

Various regions of Malaysia have their own unique street food recipes. One of the most famous street cuisines in Malaysia is Penang's laksa, a simple noodle soup dish that is made into a delicious and tangy mixture with the addition of Assam (tamarind) and a plethora of aromatic herbs. The flavour of the broth is imparted by the mackerel shavings and flat, thick rice noodles, while the succulent flavours of lemongrass, ginger blossom, and Vietnamese mint leaves entice your taste buds with each mouthful. Surprise yourself by adding a scoop of prawn paste to this mixture! One of the must-try food in Malaysia!


Photo: Shutterstock