16 Most Popular Malaysian Streetfoods You Should Try
Malaysia is home to countless savoury and sweet street food that tourists and locals simply can’t get enough of. Served in the busiest night markets and humble hawker stalls, these dishes may be cheap, but they don’t fall short of quality and quantity.
If you’re looking to know more about these tasty delicacies, here are the most popular street foods that perfectly capture Malaysia’s cuisine:
Nasi Lemak
If you want to hit two birds with one stone, we recommend starting with nasi lemak. This dish isn’t only one of the most famous street foods you’ll find in countless night markets—it’s also Malaysia’s national dish!
Aside from its significance in Malaysian culture, nasi lemak is a solid all-around dish that’s great to eat all day long. Essentially, it consists of a cup of fragrant rice, surrounded by a bunch of local ingredients that won’t only satisfy your tastebuds but your hunger as well.
Depending on where you’re eating it, the ingredients used to pair with the cup of rice may vary. However, the most common ones that you’ll find include fried chicken, eggs, sambal, cucumbers, anchovies, peanuts and more.
This messy stack of ingredients is then served in a banana leaf to add more fragrance and some extra flair to its presentation.
Where to try it: Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa
Why: This is one of the most famous nasi lemak spots in the country, as it has numerous branches across the country. We recommend trying out their version of this iconic dish because it’s not overly spicy and it leaves a lingering sweet flavour in your mouth.
Furthermore, this place allows you to customise the flavour itself by offering a myriad of accompaniments for your nasi lemak.
Char Kway Teow
Char kway teow is another staple dish that we recommend you try at least once during your trip to Malaysia. We have a feeling that you won’t miss it though, as it’s widely served across different restaurants and hawker stalls in KL and other areas.
Taking inspiration from Chinese cuisine, char kway teow is essentially stir-fried noodles—but with a twist! This version features a smoky aftertaste that can be attributed to its time on the grill along with some crispy pork lard.
This lard makes the noodles taste extra meaty, which goes perfectly with the soy sauce seasoning. To top it all off, ingredients such as bean sprouts, spring onions, Chinese sausages and eggs are added to the mix.
These ingredients form together to create an amazing combination of flavours and textures that further elevates this dish to another level. What’s more impressive is that this dish is offered at a cheap price, so you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank just to try it!
Where to try it: Melawis Fried Kuey Teow
Why: This place is one of the oldest restaurants to ever offer this dish. Having 50 years under its belt, you’ll get nothing but the best char kway teow from this humble stall, and the best part is that it will only cost you around RM10!
Satay
When you roam the streets of Petaling, Chinatown or any other night market in Malaysia, you’ll certainly come across satay. It’s a famous street food in the country that’s beloved by anyone who’s ever tried it because of its simplicity and amazing smokey flavour.
In a nutshell, satays are skewered pieces of meat that are grilled over charcoal. Also, these pieces of meat are brushed with the vendors’ secret peanut sauce, which pairs perfectly with the charred and smokey taste.
What’s great about this dish is it gives you variety in terms of the meat being used so that you won’t have to break your diet and discipline.
For instance, if you’re avoiding pork, you can choose to have beef or chicken. Furthermore, if you’re avoiding meat altogether, you’ll be pleased to know that some stalls also offer tofu satays!
Regardless of which kind of meat you choose, however, you’ll be treating yourself to something delicious.
Where to get it: Sate Kajang Hj Samuri
Why: Kajang has become synonymous with satay, and this restaurant is one of the biggest reasons why. This is because they’ve been serving this dish since 1971, and until today, they’re the best place to eat them.
Their peanut sauce is out of this world, and we’ve learned that it’s the same recipe that they used since they started the place–pretty impressive, right?
Lok-lok
Sticking to the theme of skewered ingredients, lok-lok is another common street food that you’ll find in the streets of Malaysia. Literally translating to “dip-dip”, this local delicacy entices you to dip your desired skewered meat and vegetables into different kinds of sauces and broths.
Think of it as your usual hot pot, but this time, it’s a much more budget-friendly version. Don’t be fooled by its cheap price tag though as this street food features the same kind of quality that you’ll find in restaurants.
The most usual skewered ingredients you’ll find in stalls that offer this street food include fish balls, sausages, vegetables, seafood and more. This is great because you won’t be forced into eating a specific kind of meat if you’re not into all of them.
The main highlights of this experience, however, are the different sauces and broths. Choose carefully though as these can alter the flavour of your skewered ingredient greatly!
Where to try it: Ah Sheng Lok Lok
Why: This place is highly recommended mainly because of the variety they offer. They aren’t afraid to try new things to skewer and dip into their delicious broths and sauces.
For instance, you can grab one of their bacon-wrapped asparagus to try something new that combines your greens with your favourite meat. Plus, their sauces are worth highlighting as well because of their balanced taste and fresh ingredients.
Rojak
If you’re looking for something slightly sweet that isn’t your typical ice cream, cake or whatnot, we recommend trying rojak. This treat consists of various sliced fruits, vegetables and nuts that have been drenched in a variety of sauces.
The sauce contains all the flavour, in our opinion, and it’s what makes this dish unique. It features a combination of sweet, sour and spicy, which can all be attributed to its ingredients which include chilli paste, sugar and lime.
It’s worth noting though that there is another version of rojak that’s more commonly found in Muslim Indian establishments. This variation replaces the sweet flavour with something more savoury by featuring ingredients such as tofu slices, sausages, potatoes and more.
Just like its more fruity counterpart, however, this version is also drenched in a sweet and spicy sauce.
Where to try it: Rojak Bellamy
Why: Rojak Bellamy is arguably the most famous place to get this street food in Kuala Lumpur because of its years of experience. It’s been around for several decades and they’ve nailed the spicy and tanginess of this dish to a tee, which is why people keep coming back.
Otak-otak
Otak-otak is a well-known street food in Southeast Asia, more particularly in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. The best way to describe this dish is that it’s grilled fish cake, and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you buy it from various stalls across the country.
The fish cake itself is worth highlighting because of its distinct spicy and coconut-y taste. It also features a reddish-orange colour because Malaysia’s version of this dish uses ingredients such as turmeric powder and chilli.
Once the paste is formed and the fish cake is created, it will then be wrapped inside a banana leaf before throwing on the grill. If you want our word for it, we recommend eating it as soon as it’s fresh off the grill, so that it would still be hot.
Where to get it: Nyonya Colors
Why: The best otak-otak can be tasted in a famous restaurant in KL called Nyonya Colors. Their version of this iconic dish is a bit different because they’re sliced into bite-sized pieces, but other than that, it’s purely by the book.
Hokkien Mee
Another noodle-based street food that you’ll commonly come across in Malaysia is hokkien mee. This dish is instantly recognisable by its two kinds of appearances: dark brown and bright yellow.
The dark brown version of this dish can commonly be found on the streets of Penang. This appearance can be attributed to its heavy use of soy sauce, which perfectly blends with other ingredients such as prawns and pork lard.
Meanwhile, the bright orange hokkien mee can be found in Kuala Lumpur, where it also features prawns and other ingredients. Regardless of which version you try though, you can expect some delicious flavours and interesting textures.
Aside from prawns, you’ll also find other goodies scattered within these thick noodles. This includes cabbages, pork chunks and fish cakes.
Where to get it: Fatt Kee Hokkien Mee Stall
Why: This humble stall will blow your mind with its version of this famous Malaysian street food. It’s nestled within the highly dense streets of Jalan Imbi, and it’s almost always packed because of its wide selection of hokkien mee variations.
Ramly Burger
If you’re looking for something that would be a bit familiar to your tastebuds, we recommend Malaysia’s most famous sandwich, the Ramly Burger. This street food is served across various stalls, and it’s a staple for anyone who’s looking to learn more about the country’s cuisine.
This burger is named after the company that creates its patty, Ramly, which is also the largest halal frozen and fast-food processing company.
What’s great about this particular burger is that its vendors allow customizability. For instance, you can have it with cheese, lettuce, eggs and more, all for a cheap price that can be afforded by many.
If you want to try it for yourself, don’t worry because it’s impossible to miss its countless stalls across the country. You’ll immediately recognise it by the Ramly logo too.
Where to try it: Brady John Burger
Why: This restaurant offers tons of variety when it comes to its Ramly burgers, and we’re all for it. Anyone can appreciate the choices this establishment will give when creating a customer’s personal burger.
It also helps that they use quality buns to squish these meaty patties together, so plus points for that!
Economy Rice
If you’re on an extra tight budget but you want something that will fill your tummy, we recommend trying economy rice. As you may have guessed from its name, this is one of the cheapest meals you can get, but don’t worry because you’ll still be treated to a delicious dish.
Economy rice is usually found in hawker stalls, and it’s never just a single item. Usually, they’ll have various food items in metal trays that have boiling water below them to keep them warm throughout the day.
The food items displayed here include meat, vegetables and of course, rice. It’s then up to you to create your personal meal combination using the different ones displayed on the trays, pretty simple, right?
Where to try it: VIP Mixed Rice
Why: This spot in Petaling Jaya deserves to be highlighted because of the variety of choices they offer to their customers. From meat to seafood, vegetables, rice and more, this selection has just about everything to cater to different kinds of tastes.
Roti Canai
Since India is one of Malaysia’s sources of influence when it comes to our cuisine, it’s not unusual to find roti canai in countless establishments. Not only that, but it’s also one of the most famous street foods here.
Roti canai is a form of flatbread that’s often served alongside sauces and curries. They’re mostly known for their flaky yet soft texture, which goes perfectly well with the aforementioned dipping options.
The great thing about this particular street food is that it’s highly versatile. This is because it can be accompanied by either something sweet or something savoury.
For instance, if you want something that can satisfy your sweet tooth, we recommend going for the malty mili roti canai. Meanwhile, you can get roti canai alongside some delicious bowls of curry if you want something more savoury.
Where to try it: Valentine Roti
Why: Valentine Roti is one of the most famous stalls in Kuala Lumpur because of its cheap prices and high-quality roti canai. There’s not much to say about this establishment other than it has nailed the perfect roti canai recipe to a tee, from the texture to the flavour.
Vadai
Another delicious treat that came from India’s cuisine is this bite-sized snack called vadai or vada. At first glance, this Malaysian street food may look like your typical mini fried doughnuts, but you’ll be surprised at how different it tastes!
Much like the pastry that it looks like, this dish is composed of deep-fried dough. What makes it different is the batter’s ingredients which include spiced black lentils, dhal, onion, curry leaves and dried onions.
There are also disc-shaped vadai which feature chickpeas to create a different taste and texture. Both versions are great to try, especially if you’re looking to explore some other dishes from India’s vast cuisine.
Lastly, you can also choose to have this dish crispy or soft. Then to top it all off, they’re served alongside sauces that complement the doughy and savoury doughnuts and discs.
Where to try it: SS15 Best Vadai Stall
Why: This go-to shop features the cheapest and most high-quality vadai you’ll ever see in Selangor. Their version of this dish features the perfect texture, whether you want them soft or crunchy.
Also, the sauces they offer are top-notch, as all of them perfectly complement the distinct taste of vadai.
Chee Cheong Fun
Hailing straight from China, chee cheong fun is a beloved dish by tourists and locals alike here in Malaysia. Its simple yet flavourful components make it a timeless street food that isn’t hard to love once you get a taste of it.
Chee cheong fun is composed of steamed rice noodles that have been filled with different kinds of ingredients. The most common fillings you’ll see include beef, pork, shrimp and mushroom, but you can’t go wrong with some simple sesame seeds and scallops.
One of its main highlights, however, is the sauce, which is this mysterious dark concoction. Thankfully, its taste is far from mysterious, as it’s something that you’ll instantly be familiar with.
The noodles are great too, as they feature this silky smooth texture. It’s great for housing the different fillings it can contain, as it doesn’t break easily and also, it does an amazing job of absorbing the delicious sauce.
Where to try it: Chee Cheong Fun Ipoh Traditional Style
Why: As you may have gleaned from its name, this place serves the chee cheong fun the traditional way. It’s one of the oldest establishments that offer this dish, and they’re pretty good at what they do.
They offer a myriad of sauces that go well with their silky noodles. Plus, they give you the option to add prawn paste, which we recommend you do so because it elevates the dish even further.
Teh Tarik
Arguably the most famous beverage that you’ll find being served across countless hawker stalls in Malaysia is teh tarik. This brownish drink may look like your typical cup of coffee at first, but it’s actually tea!
You’ll immediately notice how it differs from other tea when you see its extra frothy texture, and you won’t be wrong! The way it develops this form is by pouring it constantly from one cup to another, which over time makes the tea thicker.
Taste-wise, it features a bittersweet flavour that lingers in your mouth long after you take a sip, much like your typical milk tea. Furthermore, you can also increase the sweetness level to your liking by asking for more evaporated milk.
You can either order this drink in its cold or hot version. Both are great, but we recommend the hot one, especially during those cold rainy days that we get here in Malaysia.
Where to get it: Mansion Tea Stall
Why: This place offers this beloved tea at a highly affordable price, which is more impressive considering its quality. Their version of this dish isn’t overly sweet, and that’s okay as the tea flavour isn’t washed down.
Plus, it’s always impressive to see the establishment’s vendor pour this drink from one cup to another with your very eyes. This way, you can supervise how they make your tea while witnessing a spectacle at the same time.
Chicken Rice
Sometimes, the best street food is the one that everyone is all-too-familiar with. Chicken rice features an impeccable combination that never gets old, whether you’re an adult or a child.
Out of all the street foods we’ve listed here, chicken rice is probably the healthiest one you can try. Both of these ingredients consist of various nutrients that can help you develop a healthier body, more specifically, protein.
This particular dish is a great breakfast option, as it will give you your much-needed boost to start the day. Plus, it’s not always that you can have fried chicken for breakfast, so better take advantage of the opportunity while you’re at it!
To make things less bland, vendors will serve this combination alongside accompaniments such as peanuts, soy sauce, chilli and more.
Where to get it: Nam Heong Chicken Rice
Why: Nam Heong Chicken Rice is one of the oldest restaurants to offer this dish, and their recipe has stood the test of time. It’s simple yet tasty, but the biggest advantage of eating here is the large portions.
Asam Laksa
Another noodle-based street food we recommend you check out is asam laksa. Also known as Penang laksa, this version of the noodle dish features an amazing fish broth that will leave you sweating because of its spice levels.
Aside from its spicy flavour, you’ll also taste sourness and tanginess with this dish, which is perfectly absorbed by each noodle in the bowl. Furthermore, you’ll also find other goodies swimming in this broth, such as prawns, mackerels and more.
To make things more flavourful, you can also choose to top your bowl of noodles with green onion, chilli paste, cucumber and pineapple. The result is a one-of-a-kind soup that explodes with flavour upon every bite.
Where to get it: Madras Lane Asam Laksa
Why: Madras Lane offers a balanced asam laksa. It’s not overly sweet but it doesn’t lose its tanginess as well, which should be the right flavour for this dish.
This place doesn’t just serve amazing asam laksa, but it’s also located conveniently in Chinatown, KL. If you’re ever in the capital and you’re craving this iconic dish, we recommend checking them out.
Ais Kacang
One of the best street foods to eat during a hot and humid day in Malaysia is ais kacang. This dessert won’t only satisfy your sweet tooth—it will also provide you with the refreshment you need while you’re walking around in the streets!
This dish centres around shaved ice that have been drizzled with fresh milk–think snow cone, but with more flair and flavour. What makes it special is the different ingredients that it’s topped with such as red beans, jelly, syrup and more.
These ingredients create a wonderful combination of textures and flavours that are simply absent in other desserts. Plus, depending on the place you’re getting it from, this dessert can also come with a scoop of ice cream!
Where to get it: Gerai Minum Weng Kee
Why: This place serves a variety of ice kacang that features different kinds of ingredients. Plus, they’re known to not cut back on the toppings, making their version of this dish much more massive than others.
The location of this place is quite accessible as well, making it an easy visit when craving ice kacang around its area. Plus, they also offer a pretty solid variation of ice cendol, another local favourite.
Ice Cendol
Moving on to another cold treat that you’ll find in the streets of Malaysia, ice cendol is similar yet still different from ais kacang.
We say this because even though it also centres around shaved ice topped with different ingredients, it’s an entirely different dish, taste and flavour-wise.
The main factor that sets it apart from ais kacang is its iconic green noodles pandan noodles, which are made out of pandan. These squiggly strands are put on top of the shaved ice along with some coconut milk and palm sugar to create a sweet flavour.
In some stalls, they’ll throw in some creamed corn and jackfruit into the mix to add another layer of flavour and texture. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can find a place that uses durian as a topping.
This fruit features an extremely pungent smell, but once you get past that, you’ll be treated to pure sweetness.
Where to get it: Ah Keong’s ABC & Ice Cendol Stall
Why: This place is highly rated because of its affordable offerings that don’t taste cheap at all. Their ice cendol comes with all the fix-ins you can expect, and they’re stacked high on the milk-drenched shaved ice, which makes the price all the more worth it.