SPOONFUL - My Top 10 Favorite Malaysian Food

It'a been a month since I left Malaysia and the thing I miss most about that beautiful country is their food. 

Malaysia is melting pot of culture, particularly  Chinese, Indian and Malay. So it is expected their cuisine is a mix of these three cultures. Each culture has its own wide array of cuisine, resulting in Malaysia having very diverse food choices. 

There are a lot more choices but here are my top ten picks of Malaysian food that I miss the most:

10. Lamb mandi

Lamb Mandi from Naeb Restaurant

Ok. This is not entirely Malay food. But in front of Suria KLCC (Petronas Towers), is a Persian restaurant (Naeb Restaurant) that serves the most delicious lamb mandi I have ever had. It's flavorful, tender and best of all affordable! I often eat here during lunch breaks on my school days, I even have a membership card!

9. Prawn Mee

Penang Prawn Mee from Ten Years Restaurant

 Spicy and flavorful broth with prawns, chicken and kangkong leaves. This delicious noodle soup will instantly warm you. 

8. Claypot Chicken Rice

Clay Pot Chicken from Suria KLCC Food Court

 One of the first dishes I have tried in Malaysia. Soy braised chicken and mushroom topped on rice and cooked in a sizzling claypot. This is also a sight to behold once served. You'd hear the sizzle of the sauce inside and the rice crackling in the piping hot claypot.

7. Teh Tarik

Teh Tarik

Malaysia's traditional milk tea. Teh Tarik translates to pulled tea; the sweetened milk is poured and pulled upward, hence pulled. Teh = tea, Tarik = pull.

6. Char siew pork

Char Siew Pork from 1977 Ipoh Chicken Rice

As a meat lover, I really had pork withdrawals when I was in Malaysia. Most Malay restaurants are halal and don't serve pork. But chinese restaurants are my saviour and Char Siew Pork is the answer to my prayers.

5. Chicken rice

Hainanese Chicken Rice from Riverwalk Village

Be it steamed or roasted chicken, this chinese chicken dish is a must. Partnered with yellow rice, soup and dipped in chili, soy and ginger sauce. One of Malaysia's finest dishes. 

4. Char Kuey Teow

Penang Char Kuey Teow from Ten Years Restaurant

This spicy fried flat noodles is best eaten immediately after cooking. The rice noodle tends to be soggy when cold. Bit nevertheless, I love this fried noodle. A bit similar to Pad thai minus the peanuts.

3. Roti Canai

Roti Canai (Photo from Google)

This flaky flat bread is a certified Malaysian favorite. Whether dipped in curry, cooked with butter and sugar or even sardines, everyone loves roti canai. Including me.

2. Nasi goreng

Nasi Goreng

 Nasi goreng or fried rice is often eaten with chicken or fried egg. A popular Malay staple, Nasi goreng is a mix of rice, vegetables, chicken and shrimp. A complete meal on its own.

1. Chicken satay

Chicken and Beef  Satay from Hugos by Modestos

Sweet, savory skewered chicken, grilled in open flame and served with cucumber, onions and spicy peanut sauce. Malaysia has done right with their chicken satay. Everyone in Malaysia loves it. It's probably one of the best Malaysian dishes ever made. 

I made a list of my top ten but here are a few honorable mentions:

Chicken rendang

Lamb Kurma

Nasi lemak

Wan ton mee

Telur Sambal

I miss eating Malaysian food so much! Stay tuned on the blog as I may be trying to replicate some of my favorite dishes and post it here as well.