Malaysian street food represents some of the country's most beloved culinary traditions. From bustling night markets to roadside stalls, street food vendors serve dishes that have become integral to Malaysian food culture.
Char Kway Teow
This stir-fried noodle dish is a favorite among Malaysians. Flat rice noodles are wok-fried with soy sauce, chili, prawns, cockles, bean sprouts, and chives.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Key Ingredients
- Flat rice noodles
- Dark soy sauce
- Light soy sauce
- Prawns
- Chinese sausage
- Bean sprouts
- Chives
- Chili paste
The secret to great char kway teow lies in high heat cooking and proper wok technique. The noodles should have a slight char from the hot wok, creating the characteristic smoky flavor.
Satay
Satay consists of marinated meat skewers grilled over charcoal and served with peanut sauce. Chicken and beef are most common, though other meats are also used.
Marinade Ingredients
- Turmeric powder
- Coriander powder
- Cumin
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Palm sugar
- Salt
Marinate meat for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Grill over medium-high heat, turning frequently until cooked through and slightly charred. Serve with peanut sauce, cucumber, and compressed rice cakes.
Roti Canai
This flaky, layered flatbread is a breakfast favorite. It's typically served with dhal curry or other accompaniments.
Making roti canai requires skill in dough handling and stretching. The dough is repeatedly folded and stretched to create layers, then pan-fried until golden and crispy.
Basic Recipe
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon condensed milk
- Water as needed
- Butter or ghee for cooking
Knead dough until smooth and elastic. Rest for several hours. Stretch and fold the dough repeatedly before pan-frying in butter or ghee until golden on both sides.
Rojak
Rojak is a fruit and vegetable salad with a sweet and tangy dressing. Ingredients vary but commonly include cucumber, pineapple, jicama, bean sprouts, and fried dough fritters.
The dressing combines tamarind, palm sugar, chili, and belacan. It should be thick and sticky, coating all ingredients evenly.
Apam Balik
This sweet pancake is filled with peanuts, sugar, and sometimes corn. The batter is cooked in a special pan until crispy on the edges and soft in the center.
Traditional apam balik has a slightly fermented flavor from the batter preparation. Modern versions may use baking powder for convenience.
Hawker Culture
Malaysian street food is deeply connected to hawker culture, where vendors specialize in specific dishes perfected over years. Many stalls have been family-run for generations.
When visiting Malaysia, explore different hawker centers to experience the variety. Each vendor brings their own interpretation to classic dishes, creating regional variations.
For more traditional recipes and cooking techniques, visit our traditional recipes page or check out our cooking tips.