Malaysia is a country that is blessed with various races and cultures. Thus this has created a rich diversity of foods readily available. It is not uncommon when different food culture mingles with each other and this created fusion foods in Malaysia. Food is a very important aspect of a typical Malaysian lives. Malaysians are proud of their foods and their favorite foods are held in high esteem.
Foods are easily available from small eateries such as ‘warongs’ at the corner of the street to authentic fine dining cuisine in luxury shopping malls. In Malaysia, it will be a misconception if good foods are expansive. Famous foods from eateries can cost as little as few ringgits. Malaysians eat throughout the day with restaurants catering for night lifestyle. It is very common to find a 24 hours restaurant in every corner of the streets.
Here are some of the most common foods in Malaysia.
Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak which translates to “Fat rice” is by far one of the most common food in Malaysia. Nasi Lemak is traditionally a Malay food however these day it is pretty much accepted as a standard Malaysian food. Every races in Malaysia sort of have their own version of Nasi Lemak.
At the core of every nasi lemak is the rice. The rice is cooked with Pandan leaves and coconut milk which gives a good fragrance to the rice. This rice can be steamed and taste best when served warm. Every Nasi lemak is served with compulsory ‘sambal’ , a traditional fiery anchovies curry paste. Sometimes the ‘sambal’ can be in the form of ‘sambal sotong’ or squid curry paste.
A perfect nasi lemak needs to be served with deep fried crunchy anchovies, peanuts and sometimes choices of fried of full boiled eggs. Eaters can then have choices of chicken curry rendang or deep fried chicken with the nasi lemak.
Roti Canai
Roti Canai is a typical flat bread pancake that is served in majority indian muslim resturants in Malaysia. Roti canai can be found at every corner of Malaysian streets. This flat bread is made fresh with flour and margarine. The cook will use their bare hand to make the bread and cook it on the spot. The roundness is make when the bread is swinged in circle.
Roti canai is served with various choices of curry gravy such as Dal or just sugar. Today, there are dozens of choice when you order for roti canai. Ingredients such as choice of eggs, onions, sardines or meat is added in the bread as complimentary to the plain roti.
Chicken Rice
Chicken rice has it roots perhaps from Chinese Hainanese migrant to straits settlement. Chicken rice is precisely what the words mean. For a start, the rice is cooked with chicken fat and bones soup where these stock will be reused over and over again by adding water. This will create oiled riced with chicken fragrance. Most of the soup will be the recipe for the chef with variation of preparation. Sometimes, ‘Pandan’ leaves are added for extra flavors.
There are usually choice of steamed or roasted chicken for this dish. Each single portion will have a part from the chicken to be served.Chicken rice is also served with cucumber and dipped in garlic chili for that extra kick.
Nasi Goreng
Nasi Goreng or fried rice is available throughout the east and south east asian region. This is one of the most common and easily prepared food in Malaysia. Each races in Malaysia has their own version of nasi goreng. Malays nasi goreng tend to have a heavier taste sometimes prepared with minced anchovies, sambal and many more. Chinese version of fried rice tends to taste lighter with added ingredients such as shrimps, chicken and many more