Malaysian food is not one particular kind of food but a unique culinary spectrum originating from Malaysia's multi-ethnic population that has melded together sampling tastes, ingredients and cooking methods from each other.
Malaysians relish and celebrate their diverse food choices. It is not uncommon to drive for hours to eat a really good bowl of noodles. As you can imagine, eatery standards are very competitive all over the country.
Each state in Malaysia has something different to offer in terms of culinary delights. Kuala Lumpur has the most diverse offering of foods from all over the world. Indulge in gourmet fusion cuisine created by talented chefs in designer restaurants, or sample an endless amount of goodies found practically bursting out of malls, store fronts and side-street hawker stalls.
Melaka is also home to delicious Baba Nyonya food, much of it served in quaint cafes in historical shophouses. Penang is hawker stall haven, where the most delicious food requires you to wait for al fresco tables and costs as little as RM3.50 per dish. Ipoh receives many day trippers who come only to savour local favourites.
Kelantan is the cradle of Malay culture and serves exotic Malay food rich in flavour and colour. When trying to decide on what stall or restaurant to visit, the rule of thumb is that the most popular place, especially among the locals, is normally the best.
This multi-cultural array of food has now come to be known all over the world as Malaysian Food. For gastronomic adventures fit for kings, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.
KEY TIPS:
Much of Malaysia's food is spicy by western standards, but really not overly so. If you're concerned about spicy food, make sure to ask the the waiter or cook beforehand to make it less spicy.
