Local Delights: 10 Lesser known delicious Malaysian dishes to try

1/10
Sarawak (or Kuching) Laksa
A trip to Sarawak is not complete without a piping hot bowl of the popular Sarawak laksa. While the Penang Assam Laksa and the Curry Laksa are increasingly gaining popularity beyond the region, the Sarawak (or Kuching) Laksa still remains relatively unknown outside Sarawak. And depending on what you prefer, this laksa version might just give its other counterparts a run for its money.
The Sarawak Laksa is spicy and truly flavourful, with prawn and chicken broth served with rice vermicelli. Shredded chicken, sliced prawns, fresh coriander, beansprouts, lime and homemade belachan chili are served on the side.
2/10
Kolo Mee
You may or may not have heard of this much-loved Sarawakian dish, but boy is it good. Kolo Mee is a scrumptious combination of boiled noodles, topped with crushed garlic and shallots, minced pork, as well as shreds of sweet, succulent pork. Unlike Wantan Mee, Kolo Mee is lightly drizzled with fish sauce rather than dark soy sauce.
3/10
Roti John
Roti John is essentially an omelette sandwich popular in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. It's a sinful but absolutely tasty combination of minced meat (either chicken or mutton), onions, eggs, tomato sauce all topped over a baguette-type loaf. This sandwich is arguably a fusion food of sorts; the origin of the name John is supposedly due to the Western origin of the baguette.
4/10
Nasi Kerabu
Nasi Kerabu is a dish very popular in the east coast states of Malaysia such as Kelantan and Terengganu, and is now found throughout Malaysia as well as in Southern Thailand where it is known as 'Khaoyam'.
And yes, this truly visually unique dish features blue-coloured rice paired with either dried fish of fried chicken, crackers, pickles and other Malay salads. The blue colour of the rice is from the petals of the butterfly-pea flower.
5/10
Nasi Kandar
Nasi Kandar is a popular northern Malaysian dish, which originates from Penang. It is essentially a rice dish which you can pair with your choice of toppings, which typically include curry, fish, egg and okra. You'll find Nasi Kandar across states all over Malaysia, as the nasi kandar eateries are extremely popular. Most are open 24 hours and largely run by ethnic Indian Muslims.
6/10
Chicken Curry Kapitan
This Peranakan dish is no ordinary curry. Chicken Curry Kapitan is a tangy-flavoured curry made from tamarind juice, candlenuts, fresh turmeric root and belacan (shrimp paste). This dish truly embodies the history of Malacca - it combines Indian curry with Malaysian and Chinese ingredients, resulting in a rich thick curry that is distinctive in its flavour.
7/10
Lemang
Lemang is a traditional Malaysian dish also commonly found in maritime Southeast Asian countries like Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore. It is made of glutinous rice, coconut milk and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo stick lined with banana leaves. This dish is a common food feature during celebrations among the Iban people for their harvest festival of Hari Gawai, and even for Muslims to mark the end of the fasting month.
8/10
Roti Jala
Roti Jala (translates to 'Net Bread') is aptly named from the net-like formation on the bread. It is also known as Roti Kirai or Roti Renjis and is a popular dish typically served with curry. The Roti Jala looks rather like a lace doily and is made by creating zig-zagging lines of batter over a large skillet, before being folded up like a crepe.
9/10
Gulai Ayam Kampung
One of the best things about this chicken curry dish is its smell. Think: turmeric, kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass all harmoniously meshing together resulting in an irresistible aroma. Palm sugar and coconut paste are also added into the curry to lend that extra kick to the flavour.
10/10
Nasi Ulam
Nasi Ulam (translates to 'rice salad') is essentially a Malaysian mixed herb rice dish, and a much-celebrated traditional dish particularly for the Malays and the Peranakans.
There is so much to love about Nasi Ulam: it is absolutely scrumptious, aromatic (due to the mixing of the different herbs), appetising, and also healthy! The dish is also usually paired with a side serving of fish or chicken.

Without doubt, Malaysia is a nation of absolutely delicious and incomparable food. If you’re a local, you’re probably no stranger to waking up to a warm plate of Roti Canai for breakfast, wolfing down a bowl of Mee Siam for lunch, and then maybe a plate of sinfully delicious Murtabak for dinner or supper. Absolutely flavourful and always satisfying, there is truly nothing quite like Malaysian cuisine.

While dishes like Nasi Lemak or the Penang Assam Laksa are slowly gaining traction internationally, other dishes are definitely due its recognition. The Sarawakian (or Kuching) Laksa, for one, is a delicious but different take on the popular laksa dish; spicy, aromatic and flavourful, it might just give the popular Assam Laksa a run for its money. And then there is Nasi Kerabu, a dish popular in states like Kelantan and Terengganu, which is served with a striking blue-coloured rice.

What are your favourite Malaysian dishes? Did they make our list? Head up to our gallery above for our top 10 lesser-known dishes that we absolutely love!

Sarah Khan

Photos: GettyImages

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