Asia · South-Eastern Asia
76 recipes
A vibrant and refreshing Malaysian shaved ice dessert, traditionally layered with sweet beans, corn, grass jelly, and drizzled with colorful syrups. A delightful treat perfect for hot weather.
A popular Malaysian street snack, Apam Balik is a crispy, folded pancake filled with sweet crushed peanuts and creamed corn. This recipe focuses on the thinner, crispier version.
A vibrant and tangy Malaysian sour fish noodle soup, a beloved specialty from Penang, characterized by its complex broth and fresh garnishes.
A quintessential Malaysian dish, Asam Pedas, meaning 'sour and spicy', is a vibrant fish curry characterized by its tangy tamarind base and fiery chili kick. This Melaka specialty is deeply flavorful and comforting, often served with steamed rice.
Ayam Kapitan, also known as Captain's Chicken, is a flavorful and aromatic Malaysian curry with Nyonya influences. It features tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, spicy gravy made with a blend of chilies, lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and kaffir lime leaves, balanced with the creaminess of coconut milk and a tangy hint of tamarind. Unlike rendang, it doesn't typically use candlenuts or kerisik (toasted coconut paste), and is often finished with crispy fried shallots for added texture and aroma.
A classic Malaysian celebratory dish, Ayam Masak Merah features tender chicken pieces braised in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet tomato-chili sauce. It's a staple at weddings and special occasions, known for its vibrant color and balanced flavors.
A classic East Coast Malaysian dish from Kelantan, featuring tender grilled chicken coated in a rich, spicy, and slightly sweet coconut milk and chili glaze. The char from grilling adds a wonderful smoky depth.
A comforting and aromatic Malaysian Hokkien-style pork rib soup, simmered in a fragrant broth infused with a blend of Chinese herbs and spices. Traditionally enjoyed as a hearty breakfast, especially in the Klang region.
Beef slowly braised in coconut milk and spices until the sauce caramelizes and clings to every piece. A truly iconic and deeply flavorful dish.
A classic Malaysian stir-fried rice vermicelli dish, offering a lighter and quicker alternative to its noodle counterpart, Mee Goreng. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal.
A vibrant and comforting Malaysian dessert soup featuring tender cubes of yam and sweet potato simmered in a fragrant coconut milk broth, sweetened with palm sugar and studded with chewy sago pearls.
A comforting and subtly sweet Malaysian dessert soup made from tender green mung beans, infused with aromatic pandan leaves and sweetened with palm sugar. Perfect for a light dessert or a nourishing snack.
A refreshing and cooling Malaysian iced dessert featuring fragrant pandan jelly noodles, sweet palm sugar syrup, and creamy coconut milk, served over shaved ice.
A refreshing and authentic Malaysian dessert featuring delicate pandan-flavored jelly noodles, a rich coconut milk base, and a luscious syrup made from pure Gula Melaka (palm sugar), served over a generous mound of shaved ice.
A classic Malaysian stir-fried flat noodle dish, renowned for its smoky 'wok hei' aroma, featuring tender rice noodles, succulent prawns, briny cockles, savory Chinese sausage, and scrambled egg, all coated in a rich, dark soy sauce mixture.
Tender, grilled marinated chicken skewers served with a rich and creamy peanut sauce, a quintessential Southeast Asian street food delight.
A rich and aromatic Malaysian coconut curry noodle soup featuring tender shrimp, absorbent tofu puffs, and briny cockles (optional) swimming in a fragrant, spiced broth. This dish is a delightful balance of creamy, savory, and subtly spicy flavors.
A rich and aromatic Malaysian curry noodle soup, featuring a fragrant coconut broth, tender noodles, savory cockles, and absorbent tofu puffs. This dish is a beloved hawker staple, offering a complex balance of spice, creaminess, and fresh herbs.
A rich, sticky, toffee-like sweet confection, traditionally prepared for Hari Raya celebrations. It requires significant patience and constant attention.
Authentic Malaysian Goreng Pisang, featuring sweet bananas coated in a light, crispy turmeric-infused batter and deep-fried to a perfect golden-brown. A beloved street food snack.
A rich and aromatic beef curry cooked in a large pot, traditionally prepared for Malaysian feasts (kenduri). This Gulai Kawah features tender beef simmered in a luscious coconut milk gravy, infused with a complex spice paste (rempah) and finished with toasted coconut (kerisik) and potatoes.
Poached chicken with fragrant rice cooked in chicken fat. Malaysia's beloved comfort food, served with three essential, vibrant sauces.
A deeply flavorful and aromatic noodle soup featuring a rich prawn and pork broth, served with a combination of yellow noodles and rice vermicelli, fresh prawns, and a medley of toppings. This dish is a beloved classic in Malaysian cuisine.
A refreshing and zesty Malaysian steamed fish dish, often prepared with sea bass or other white fish. The fish is steamed to perfection and then generously doused in a vibrant sauce made from fresh lime juice, garlic, chilies, and fish sauce, creating a harmonious balance of sour, spicy, and savory flavors. It's a light yet flavorful dish, perfect for a healthy meal.
Kacang Pool is a hearty and flavorful dish originating from the Middle East, adapted into a popular Malaysian breakfast staple. It features fava beans (or baked beans) simmered in a rich, spiced gravy with minced beef, onions, garlic, and ginger. Typically served with a fried egg on top, it's a satisfying and comforting meal, often accompanied by toasted bread for dipping.
A rich and aromatic Indian-Malaysian fusion classic, this fish head curry features a whole fish head simmered in a spicy, tangy, and creamy coconut-based gravy, often served with a side of rice or roti canai. The tender fish meat, especially the gelatinous cheek and eye, is a prized delicacy.
Delicate, flaky pastry encasing a savory and aromatic spiced potato and meat filling, deep-fried to a perfect golden crisp. A beloved Malaysian snack.
A beloved Malaysian breakfast staple, Kaya Toast features slices of toasted bread generously spread with a sweet and fragrant coconut egg jam (kaya), often accompanied by butter and soft-boiled eggs.
Kek Lapis Sarawak, also known as Sarawak Layer Cake, is a visually stunning and intricately layered cake originating from Sarawak, Malaysia. Unlike conventional cakes, each thin layer of batter is baked or broiled individually, then stacked and often decorated with vibrant colors and patterns. This meticulous process results in a moist, rich cake with a unique texture and a beautiful mosaic appearance, often enjoyed during celebrations and special occasions.
A vibrant and refreshing Malaysian salad featuring shredded unripe mango, tossed with a spicy, tangy, and savory dressing. This dish is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy, with a delightful crunch.
Ketupat are iconic diamond-shaped rice cakes, traditionally woven from palm leaves and served during Hari Raya. They are a staple accompaniment to rich curries and satay.
A comforting and light Penang-style clear soup noodle dish featuring flat rice noodles, tender braised duck, fish balls, and fresh bean sprouts in a rich, aromatic pork and duck broth.
Kuih Karas is a traditional Malaysian sweet snack, popular especially in states like Kedah. It's characterized by its delicate, lacy, net-like appearance, resembling vermicelli, but with a delightful crispy and sweet texture. Made from a thin batter of rice flour, sugar, and water, it's poured through a special mold into hot oil, fried until golden, then folded into its signature shape. Kuih Karas is a popular treat during festive seasons and for tea time.
Kuih Kelapa Pandan is a delightful sweet treat from Malaysia, featuring a chewy, steamed glutinous rice base infused with the fragrant aroma of pandan and topped with a generous layer of grated coconut. It's a simple yet satisfying dessert, often enjoyed during festive occasions or as an afternoon snack.
Delicate, emerald-green pandan crepes encasing a sweet, caramelized coconut filling. These delightful rolls are a popular Malaysian sweet treat, perfect for any occasion.
Kuih Koci is a delightful Malaysian sweet treat made from glutinous rice flour dough filled with a sweet grated coconut filling, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. The result is a soft, chewy, and fragrant dumpling with a rich, sweet coconut center. Often colored green with pandan or sometimes butterfly pea flower, it's a popular snack for tea time or festive occasions.
A vibrant and visually appealing steamed layered cake, perfect as a delightful tea-time treat. This recipe guides you through creating beautiful, distinct layers of color and flavor.
A beloved two-layer Malaysian sweet treat featuring a base of steamed glutinous rice topped with a rich, vibrant pandan-infused coconut custard.
A beloved Malaysian tea-time treat, Kuih Talam features two distinct layers: a fragrant green pandan base and a creamy white coconut topping, both with a delightfully soft and slightly chewy texture.
A unique and regal laksa from Johor, traditionally served with spaghetti instead of rice noodles. The rich, savory gravy is infused with aromatic spices and the delicate flavor of mackerel.
A rich and aromatic Nyonya-style coconut curry noodle soup, featuring a fragrant broth simmered with laksa paste, coconut milk, and chicken stock. It's generously topped with tender chicken, succulent shrimp, absorbent tofu puffs, fresh bean sprouts, and the distinct herbaceous aroma of laksa leaf. A beloved dish with regional variations hotly debated.
Lemang is a traditional Malay dish of glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes, essential for celebrations like Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The rice is infused with the smoky aroma of the bamboo and the rich flavor of coconut milk.
Lok Lok is a popular Malaysian street food where various ingredients are skewered and then cooked by boiling in a flavorful broth or deep-frying. It's a highly customizable and interactive dining experience, perfect for sharing.
A popular Malaysian dish featuring compressed rice cakes (lontong) served in a rich and flavorful vegetable curry (sayur lodeh). This dish is often enjoyed during festive occasions like Hari Raya.
Tender, marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection and served with a rich, savory peanut sauce. A beloved Malaysian street food classic.
A rich and fragrant Malaysian noodle soup featuring a spicy coconut curry broth, tender noodles, succulent prawns, and fried tofu puffs, finished with fresh bean sprouts and mint. This recipe focuses on the popular curry laksa variant.
A rich and savory KL-style Hokkien Mee featuring thick yellow noodles and vermicelli braised in a dark, flavorful soy sauce base with tender pork belly and succulent prawns.
A beloved Malaysian noodle dish featuring springy egg noodles tossed in a savory sauce, topped with succulent char siu (BBQ pork) and flavorful wontons. This recipe focuses on the popular dry style, but can be adapted for soup.
A rich and creamy coconut milk-based curry from Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, featuring the fiery heat of bird's eye chilies and aromatic spices. This dish is traditionally made with chicken or fish.
A popular Malaysian Indian stir-fried noodle dish, featuring springy yellow noodles tossed with savory and sweet elements, tender tofu, soft potato, and scrambled egg, finished with a bright squeeze of lime.
A comforting and flavorful Malaysian noodle dish featuring springy yellow noodles bathed in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet gravy, thickened naturally with sweet potato and infused with the umami of dried shrimp and tender beef. Garnished with a variety of fresh and fried toppings, it's a delightful balance of textures and tastes.
A savory Malaysian stuffed pancake, traditionally made by Indian Muslims, featuring a flavorful meat and egg filling encased in a thin, crispy dough. Served with a side of curry sauce for dipping.
A beloved Malaysian comfort food, Nasi Ayam is a Hainanese-influenced dish featuring succulent poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and fat, accompanied by a trio of flavorful sauces. This recipe focuses on the classic poached chicken method.
Nasi Dagang, meaning 'trader's rice', is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish traditionally enjoyed as a breakfast staple on the east coast of Malaysia, particularly in Terengganu. It features a unique blend of red and glutinous rice steamed in rich coconut milk, served with a spicy and creamy fish curry (Gulai Ikan Tongkol) and accompanied by pickled vegetables (acar).
A classic Malaysian village-style fried rice, characterized by its savory depth from dried anchovies (ikan bilis) and pungent shrimp paste (belacan), balanced with fresh kangkung (water spinach) and a fried egg. This version is quick, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.
A popular Malaysian dish originating from Penang, Nasi Kandar features a generous portion of steamed rice served with a variety of flavorful curries, side dishes, and a signature blend of mixed gravies poured over everything. It's a customizable and hearty meal.
A vibrant and aromatic Kelantanese specialty, Nasi Kerabu features fragrant blue-dyed rice tossed with a generous medley of fresh, finely chopped herbs and served with an array of flavorful accompaniments.
Nasi Lemak, the beloved national dish of Malaysia, is fragrant coconut rice cooked with pandan leaves, typically served with a spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, roasted peanuts, a hard-boiled egg, and fresh cucumber slices. It's a versatile dish enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Pais Ikan is a traditional Malaysian dish where fish is marinated in a flavorful paste of chilies, herbs, and spices, then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled or steamed until tender and aromatic. The banana leaf imparts a subtle, earthy fragrance to the fish, creating a moist and succulent result. It's a simple yet delicious way to enjoy fish, often found in Malay and Indonesian cuisine, with regional variations across Malaysia.
Pajeri Nenas is a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy Malaysian curry made with pineapple. It features a rich gravy often made with coconut milk, spices, and sometimes kerisik (toasted coconut paste), which adds a nutty depth. This dish is a delightful balance of sweet pineapple and aromatic spices, making it a unique and flavorful accompaniment to rice.
A comforting Hakka-Malaysian noodle soup featuring hand-torn flat noodles in a rich, savory anchovy broth, served with tender minced pork and fresh greens.
A beloved Malaysian fresh spring roll, often prepared Nyonya-style, featuring a savory and slightly sweet jicama filling wrapped in delicate popiah skins. This dish is perfect for communal dining and can be customized with a variety of fresh toppings.
Fragrant and slightly sweet parcels of glutinous rice, filled with a savory spiced coconut and dried shrimp mixture, then grilled to perfection in banana leaves.
A vibrant and refreshing Malaysian fruit and vegetable salad, tossed in a rich, sweet, sour, and spicy shrimp paste dressing. This dish offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
A beloved Malaysian flaky flatbread, traditionally served with dhal curry, showcasing strong Indian culinary influences. This recipe requires patience and practice to achieve its signature texture.
An essential and vibrant Malaysian chili condiment, Sambal Belacan is characterized by its pungent aroma and spicy kick, derived from fresh chilies and fermented shrimp paste (belacan). It's a staple served with rice dishes, grilled meats, and seafood.
A quick and fiery Malaysian classic featuring succulent prawns coated in a rich, spicy sambal sauce. This dish is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy, ideal for a weeknight meal.
Sate Kajang is a famous Malaysian variation of satay, characterized by its larger, more substantial pieces of meat and a rich, flavorful marinade. This recipe focuses on the traditional Kajang style, known for its robust taste and satisfying texture.
A deeply flavorful and aromatic spiced meat floss, traditionally served as a condiment or accompaniment, especially during festive occasions like Hari Raya. It's made by finely shredding meat, cooking it with a complex spice paste, and then toasting it with desiccated coconut until dry and crumbly.
A vibrant and flavorful Malaysian stir-fry featuring tender squid and crisp water spinach coated in a pungent and spicy belacan (shrimp paste) sauce. This dish is quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Flaky, crispy spiral pastries filled with a savory curry mixture. The unique spiral technique ensures extra layers of crispiness in every bite.
A deeply flavorful and aromatic Malaysian mutton soup, featuring a clear, spiced broth that is both comforting and warming. Perfect for a chilly evening or as a hearty meal.
A delicate and silky smooth silken tofu dessert, traditionally served with a warming and aromatic ginger syrup. This recipe focuses on achieving that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Teh Tarik, meaning 'pulled tea' in Malay, is Malaysia's beloved national beverage. This sweet, creamy, and frothy tea is traditionally made by repeatedly pouring the tea between two vessels to create a rich foam. It's a comforting and invigorating drink, perfect any time of day.
Telur Pindang, meaning 'braised eggs', is a popular Indonesian and Malaysian dish featuring hard-boiled eggs slow-cooked in a flavorful broth infused with spices, herbs, and black tea. This process imparts a distinctive dark brown color and a unique, savory taste to the eggs. They can be prepared with marbled shells for a beautiful visual effect or peeled for a uniform dark hue. Telur Pindang is often served as a side dish with rice meals.
A beloved Hakka dish from Malaysia, Yong Tau Foo is a customizable meal where you choose various vegetables and tofu to be stuffed with a savory fish paste, then cooked in a flavorful broth or fried until golden. It's a delightful 'choose your own adventure' culinary experience.
