Malaysia offers a rich variety of local foods that reflect its diverse cultural heritage. Here are four of the best local dishes:
- Nasi Lemak
Often regarded as Malaysia's national dish, Nasi Lemak consists of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk, served with a spicy sambal (chili paste), crispy fried anchovies, hard-boiled egg, and cucumber. It is typically eaten as breakfast but is enjoyed at any time of day.
- Char Kway Teow
A popular dish in Penang, Char Kway Teow is a stir-fried flat rice noodle dish. It is cooked in a wok with prawns, Chinese sausage, eggs, bean sprouts, and sometimes crab meat. It's known for its smoky flavor, which comes from stir-frying over high heat.
- Laksa
Laksa is a flavorful noodle soup with a spicy, aromatic broth. There are several regional variations, such as the creamy coconut-based Laksa Lemak from the Straits of Malacca, and the sour, tamarind-based Penang Laksa. It typically contains fish or prawns, noodles, and fresh herbs.
- Roti Canai
Roti Canai is a type of Indian-influenced flatbread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is often served with dhal (lentil curry) or meat curry for dipping. This dish is popular for breakfast or as a snack, and is commonly accompanied by a sweetened condensed milk drink.
