Malaysia was the first country I visited when I was young. The food here is no exception – it’s full of flavor and spices! It’s heavily spiced than Thai food.
Is Malaysian food spicy? Absolutely! The cuisine here relies heavily on chili peppers, shallots, and garlic to create bold and intense flavors. These countries are huge fans of producing food that’ll make you sweat.
If you’re looking for a country with food just as diverse as its culture, then Malaysia is the place for you.
Here are 11 of the Spicy Malaysian dishes you have to try:
- Nasi Dagang
- Rendang
- Char Kway Teow
- Satay
- Curry Laksa
- Nasi Kerabu
- Mee Goreng
- Nasi Kandar
- Bah Kut Teh
- Ikan Bakar
- Asam Laksa
Nasi Dagang
Nasi Dagang is one of Malaysia’s most iconic dishes, This delicious dish is traditionally eaten in the morning, but it’s perfect any time of day. The rice is flavored with spices and coconut milk, paired with various proteins and vegetables, making it a complete meal. If you like your food on the spicy side, be sure to ask for extra chili sauce when you order Nasi Dagang.
Rendang
Rendang is a rich and flavorful dish made with beef that’s been slow-cooked in a curry paste until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. This dish is usually served on special occasions, but you can now find it on the menus of many restaurants. The key to making good Rendang is to use fresh spices and simmer them so the flavors have time to develop.
Char Kway Teow
This dish is made with rice noodles, beansprouts, shrimp, and Chinese sausage. It’s typically cooked in a wok over high heat, which gives the Char Kway Teow its signature smoky flavor. The key to making this dish is to get the noodles nice and crispy. If you like your food on the spicy side, be sure to ask for extra chili sauce when you order Char Kway Teow.
Satay
Satay is a dish of skewered and grilled meats, usually chicken or beef. The meat is marinated in a
Curry Laksa
Laksa is a type of noodle soup popular in Malaysia and Singapore. It’s made with rice noodles in a coconut milk-based soup, and it’s usually served with chicken, shrimp, or tofu. The soup is flavored with a
Nasi Kerabu
Nasi Kerabu is a popular dish from Kelantan in Malaysia. It’s made with blue rice, which gets its color from the petals of the Bunga Telang flower. The rice is paired with various meats and vegetables, making it a complete meal. Nasi Kerabu is usually served with a chili paste called Sambal Belacan. The dish resembles Khao Yum Nam Budu, a famous lunch dish in Southern Thailand.
Mee Goreng
Mee Goreng is a fried noodle dish popular in Malaysia and Indonesia. It’s made with egg noodles, vegetables, and protein and is usually served with chili paste or sauce. The key to making this dish is to get the noodles nice and crispy. You can make Mee Goreng with chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu.
Nasi Kandar
Nasi Kandar is a popular dish from Penang, Malaysia. It’s made with steamed rice and various curries and meats. The dish is usually served with a side of pickled vegetables. Nasi Kandar is traditionally eaten with your hands, but you can also use utensils.
Bah Kut Teh
Bah Kut Teh is a soup made with pork ribs and Chinese herbs. The soup is usually simmered for hours to extract all the flavors from the ingredients. Bah Kut Teh is traditionally eaten for breakfast, but you can now find it on the menus of many restaurants. Typically Bah Kut Teh is not spicy, but you can ask for extra chili paste if you like your food on the spicy side.
Ikan Bakar
Ikan Bakar is a grilled fish dish popular in Malaysia. The fish is marinated in a
Asam Laksa
Asam Laksa is a type of noodle soup popular in Malaysia and Singapore. It’s made with rice noodles in a tamarind-based soup, and it’s usually served with fish, chicken, or shrimp. The soup is flavored with a
Things You Should Know about Malaysian Cuisine
Is Malaysian Spicier than Thai Food?
Yes, Malaysian cuisine is typically spicier than Thai food. This is because Malaysia is located closer to India, where chili peppers originated. Both Malay and Thai share food influences from India, China, and Indonesia. You can find Malaysian food in Southern Thai restaurants.
Why is Malay Food So Good?
Malay cuisine is known for its use of fresh herbs and spices. The combination of these flavors creates aromatic, flavorful, and sometimes spicy dishes. Malay food is also usually less sweet than other Southeast Asian cuisines. If you like spicy food, then you’ll enjoy Malaysian cuisine.
What Chili Use in Malaysia?
Chili powder and dried chili peppers are commonly used in Malaysian cuisine. They use it to adds heat and flavor to dishes. Common chili peppers used in Malaysia include cayenne, bird’s eye, and jalapeño.
Final Thought
If you’re looking for cuisine that’s packed with flavor, then Malaysian food is a great option. The dishes are usually spicy and made with fresh herbs and spices. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, give it a try!
>Yes, Malaysian cuisine is typically spicier than Thai food. This is because Malaysia is located closer to India, where chili peppers originated.
Chili peppers did not originate in India. Capsicum annuum is native to the Americas. There are other sources of ‘spicy’ in food other than capsicum. Sichuan pepper (for instance) is the dried berries of the Chinese prickly ash bush.