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What to eat in Malaysia

The 10 best dishes in Malaysia

Malay, Chinese and Indian food at the same hawker table.

1

Nasi lemak

Best: Kuala Lumpur

Coconut rice with sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts and egg.

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2

Char kway teow

Best: Penang

Flat rice noodles wok-fried with prawns, cockles and egg.

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3

Laksa

Best: Penang

Penang's sour assam laksa with mackerel and tamarind.

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4

Roti canai

Eaten all over Malaysia

Flaky griddled flatbread with dhal or curry.

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5

Satay

Best: Kajang

Grilled skewers with peanut sauce.

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6

Rendang

Eaten all over Malaysia

Beef cooked down in spiced coconut milk until dry.

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7

Hokkien mee

Best: Kuala Lumpur

Thick noodles fried in dark soy.

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8

Nasi kandar

Best: Penang

Rice with curries poured together.

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9

Cendol

Best: Penang

Shaved ice with pandan jelly and coconut milk.

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10

Bak kut teh

Best: Klang

Pork ribs simmered for hours in a broth of herbs and garlic, eaten with rice and tea.

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Share Malaysia's dishes

Next door

SingaporeHainanese chicken rice

CambodiaFish amok

VietnamPho

ThailandTom yum goong

Every country

Photos: each dish's lead photo on its Wikipedia article (license and author on Wikimedia Commons); "a photo like it" is a food photo of the same kind, not that dish. Cook it opens a recipe in Chef Amazing, or Chef writes one for you. Picked by Chef Amazing, November 2026.