6 Malaysian street-food experiences that can't be found elsewhere

Malaysia is definitely one of Southeast Asia’s top holiday destinations, with its huge cultural diversity & multiracial festivals. The tourism phrase ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’ is on the money, because it truly is a complete blend of all Asian cultures. With its three main ethnic groups being; Malays, Chinese & Indians, there is a great diversity in languages and cultural practices. These activities are best enjoyed with mouth-watering cuisines; including Indonesian & Singaporean food. In Malaysia, eating local means having a gigantic assortment of cuisines to choose from, whereby most Asian countries stick to a specific food palate. You can find over 47 local dishes, with more than two variations for each dish, but nothing beats the remarkable aroma of the local street stalls at places like; Jalan Alor & Taman Connaught. Traditional Malaysian street-dishes are very spice oriented, using a variety of spices like chilies, cardamoms, etc, accommodating all appetites. Luckily, trying out all these cuisines in one holiday is highly possible because of the country’s impeccable pricing. Here are the most exotic sweet & savory dishes you must try when you are strolling down the streets of Malaysia.

1. Apam Balik

Apam Balik (stuffed pancake) is the most popular street dessert in Malaysia, you can think of it as the Indonesian version of pancakes. Its unique filling of canned corn and crushed peanuts differentiates it from the Indonesian version, that is filled with ordinary cheese or chocolate. Apam Balik can be found in every night market around the country, and you will notice various stalls preparing it with different fillings. Don’t let this confuse you, Apam Balik is a dish that is continually being reinvented to accommodate everyone’s favorite ingredients. The dough is folded like a taco, allowing the batter to stay sticky on the inside while having a delicious crispy edge outside. You haven’t truly indulged in the full Malaysian experience until you satisfy your palate with this sweet delicacy.

2. Nasi Kerabu

‘BLUE RICE’, yes you heard it right! Originating from the state of Kelantan, nasi kerabu’s extraordinary blue color of the rice, immediately provoked my curiosity. Watching big crowds line up at nasi kerabu stores all over the city, was an indication that this particular dish is highly regarded by the locals. The rice gets its blue color from a flower extract called “bunga telang” a butterfly pea flower, which is crushed then mixed with the flour. Its blend of countless ingredients allow you to feel many flavors and textures, all in one bite. It includes various herbs and vegetables like; long beans, cucumber, fried coconut, bean sprouts, cabbage and “bunga kantan”. Bunga Kantan means torch ginger bud, a herb that gives the rice its lemongrass and minty essence, but be aware due to its strong taste you either like it or you don’t. The dish is also mixed with a fermented fish sauce, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The best way to eat nasi kerabu is by mixing all the condiments together using your hands, making every bite burst with flavor. This dish is said to be incomplete without solok lada, which is a special Malaysian paste made from green chilies, grated coconut and chub mackerels. So don’t forget to ask for your solok lada the next time you visit Malaysia. 

3. Kuih 

The word kuih-muih refers to a large assortment of colorful sweets, that come in all kind of flavors. So if you don’t like one kind don’t worry, with this variety you will definitely find one that cater to your taste buds. These sweets can be found in jars during festive holidays such as the Chinese New Year, or sold in stalls at the night markets & bazaars.

4. Laksa 

Photo: Bee for RASAMALAYSIA

Laksa is one of Malaysia’s main cuisines, for all the spice lovers. This noodle soup is extremely spicy and comes in many variations. Some stalls served it with prawns, others had fish. But the best I’ve found was at Penang’s famous, Shell Station Laksa, where they use tamarind to add a spicy/sour taste to the broth. Its ingredients include ginger flowers, bird’s eye chilies and cucumber. 

5. Lok Lok Steamboat

This is one of my personal favorites. Lok Lok steamboats are nothing but meat skewers on sticks, boiled or grilled according to preference. Seeing so much assortments of meat & vegetables in the same place was such a relief. What makes this experience special, is the fact that these steamboats are found in restaurants and trucks all over the city. Its mostly available after the sun goes down, which can be so convenient for your mid-night cravings. Lok Lok trucks have variety of sauces & shared boiling pots placed inside the vehicle. If you’re visiting Malaysia, look out for “Fat One Steamboat” trucks in specific. It’s my heaven on wheels, I am a spicy-food fan and by far nothing beats Fat One Steamboat’s spicy sauce. This meal is considered to be slightly more expensive than other street food, but it is definitely a cultural experience. A meal would cost around RM10 and RM20, having had different kind of meats and veggies. 

6. Lemang 

Indigenous food from the islands of Borneo! Lemang is rice mixed with coconut milk, cooked in hollowed bamboo sticks. You’ll recognize this soft rice when you see it wrapped inside a banana leaf, along the streets. Popular lemang dishes are served with beef or chicken, but you can find condiments like fish or durian, if you’re looking for that extra flavor.