Malaysia’s street food gems can be found all over the nation and these are definite must try food choices for people from all walks of life. Here are mouth watering dishes that are truly Malaysian.
Malaysia’s Street Food Gems: Murtabak
Murtabak is a favourite Malaysian hawker food that perfectly captures the country’s rich culinary influences, especially from Indian and Arabic cuisines. This savoury dish consists of a thin, crispy, pan-fried dough stuffed with a delicious mixture of minced meat-usually chicken or beef-eggs, onions and a blend of aromatic spices.
The dough is folded skilfully to create a thick golden crust that wraps the filling inside, making every bite a satisfying combination of crispy exterior and savoury interior. Usually served with pickled vegetables or a mild curry dipping sauce, murtabak is a popular choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner and is commonly enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Its versatility further allows for various versions — some of the versions go vegetarian, offering potatoes or mushrooms as ingredients in the meal.
Murtabak is sold on many hawker stalls and night markets in Malaysia and is most widely available in loud cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru. It satisfies as a snack or full course meal in the right portions, melding together a true representation of Malaysia’s melting pot into one delicious, mouth-watering dish. If one aims to try Malaysian street food at its best, it will not be complete without trying the innovative delicacy and richness of murtabak.
Malaysia’s Street Food Gems: Apam Balik
Apam balik is a popular street food in Malaysia, not to be missed when touring the hawker stalls that dot the vibrant cities. This sweet, thick pancake is crispy on the outside and soft inside, delightfully contrasting textures in each single bite.
Traditionally, apam balik was made from a simple batter of flour, sugar and water which is poured onto a hot griddle and cooked until golden brown. Once cooked, it is generously filled with a mix of crushed peanuts, sweet corn and sugar, then folded in half, creating a pocket of sweetness. That is what makes apam balik irresistible — the combination of the crunchy peanuts, the soft corn and the sweetness of the sugar.
Apam balik, though generally taken as a snack is also comfort food, very often found along street-side stalls, night markets or local hawker centres. Several versions of these exist where, for a different rendition of the traditional recipe, chocolate or coconut is added to give it an extra flavour. At the same time, freshly cooked apam balik has this really enticing smell that draws both locals and tourists to them, probably because they don’t hurt your wallet as much either.
Be it a midnight snack or in the mid-afternoon, apam balik belongs to that very core of hawker food in Malaysia and must be included on your Malaysian delicacies bucket list.
Malaysia’s Street Food Gems: Wan Tan Mee
Wan Tan Mee is one of the most beloved Malaysian hawker dishes, which has carved its way to the top of must-try food lists for any food enthusiast who decides to take a culinary tour into the vibrant street food scenes. This dish is a thin, springy egg noodle served either in a savoury dark soy sauce or a light broth, served with tender slices of char siu (BBQ pork) and plump, juicy dumplings filled with minced pork or shrimp.
Adding in some blanched leafy greens such as bok choy, it gives the fresh contrast to the richness of flavour. What really makes Wan Tan Mee stand apart is its versatility — whether being served dry with the most deliciously sweet soy-based sauce or in comforting soup form, it’s entirely one’s personal preference. It is usually topped with fried shallots and chilli paste on the side to add an extra kick of spiciness. The dish is a product of the assimilation between Cantonese and local culinary cultures, its popularity cutting across Malaysia, from cities bustling with activities to more somnolent towns.
Its simplicity is its attraction, for it is easy and quick to prepare as an early morning, noon or night meal. For a truly authentic experience, try hawker centres like Kuala Lumpur’s Restoran Koon Kee which has been serving Wan Tan Mee for generations and epitomises Malaysia’s rich gastronomic heritage. Whether as a snack or a full meal, Wan Tan Mee is indispensable in any hawker food tour of Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Street Food Gems: Chicken Rice
Chicken Rice is one of those iconic and most loved dishes in Malaysia, and a dish anyone visiting Malaysia must try among the vibrancy of the hawker food found in Malaysia. The food contains tender chicken, either roasted or steamed, served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken fat that gives off a rich, savoury flavour. It comes with a sour chilli sauce and a small bowl of clear broth which is made from the chicken stock. The flavours are simple but very satisfying, with the juiciness of the chicken complementing the aromatic rice.
It originally came from Chinese cuisine, more precisely from the Hainanese community and over time turned into a staple all over Malaysia. This dish is largely served at street hawker stalls, restaurants and even food courts. Along with traditional steamed chicken, over time, different versions have appeared, including soy-sauced chicken or fried chicken, serving different tastes and textures to cater to changing tastes.
It is normally served as a quick, delectable meal for either breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are some special variations in places like Malacca with their famous chicken rice balls where the rice is formed into small, round balls rather than the usual serving as loose grains. A piping-hot cup of Chinese tea always goes well with Hainanese Chicken Rice, balancing the richness of the dish. Be it a hawker stall or a local restaurant, chicken rice is something one wouldn’t want to miss if they are hungry to try traditional Malaysian flavours
Malaysia’s Street Food Gems: Penang Prawn Mee
Penang Prawn Mee is essentially the Malaysian hawker dish that epitomises the vibrant flavours of the country’s culinary heritage. This is actually a Penang-based noodle dish prepared with prawns and pork bones for its rich, flavourful broth, then seasoned with spices to provide a balanced taste of sweet, salty, and spicy flavours.
The soup is served with a generous portion of egg noodles or rice vermicelli topped with succulent prawns, bean sprouts and a hard-boiled egg. A dash of sambal, a spicy chilli paste, is often added in order to raise the burning sensation and elevate the overall flavour.
Penang Prawn Mee is a comforting and delightful breakfast or lunch dish famous for its bold and aromatic broth. Sweet prawn essence simmered with savoury pork broth against the crunchy freshness of fresh bean sprouts and the smoothness of noodles created a delight for the epicure. Found in usually bustling hawker centres all over Penang, it is enjoyed by people and visitors alike.
For one of the best Penang Prawn Mee, one can try the famous hawker stalls along Jalan Penang in George Town. Every stall has its version, where some offer variants with additional ingredients like pork ribs and fried shallots for a different depth of flavour. Penang Prawn Mee is a real must-try for all food lovers desiring a taste of Malaysia’s food and representing its rich, diverse culture.
Ampfood is an exceptional platform dedicated to discovering the rich and diverse culinary landscape of Malaysia. With a keen focus on food, Ampfood is your go-to resource for exploring the tantalising flavours, unique dishes and hidden gems that the Malaysian food scene has to offer.
