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Like Singapore, Malaysia is a blend of Southeast Asian cultures, particularly notable for the culinary "remnants" left behind by Chinese, Indian, and Arab traders over the past 2,000 years.
Traditional Chinese steamed buns are sold at a stall in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur.
If you visit Malacca – an ancient spice trading port on the west coast of Malaysia – be sure to try dishes that combine Chinese and Indian ingredients in Malay style, such as the following:popiah- Chinese spring rolls stuffed with Malay-style peanut sauce.
Popiah
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's largest city, the culinary identity of its 3 million inhabitants is shaped by three ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. You certainly can't miss nasi lemak – a delicious Malay-style coconut rice dish with ginger – in the heart of Kampung Baru.
Nasi lemak
In addition, visit Brickfield district to enjoy authentic South Indian flavors or savor the fusion of Malay, Chinese, and Indian tastes in a unique dish called kare laksa – one of the world's most highly-rated dishes.
Kare Laksa
And in George Town – a city on a small island in Malaysia – you'll be immersed in street food with flavors of South Asian cuisine that have reached the pinnacle of culinary excellence!
It could be said that street food here has been elevated to an art form. Just visit a center where about 300 street vendors gather with their small stalls, and you'll find countless unique and delicious specialties in this land of palm hills. The most typical is Ketam lada hitam (black pepper crab), a specialty most commonly found at street food stalls. This dish is flavored with ginger, fresh turmeric, and black pepper.
Ketam lada hitam
Another equally famous dish is grilled skewers, a street food believed to have originated in Arabia in the 8th century. Notably, the sauce for this dish is a blend of Malay favorite spices and herbs including coriander, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, garlic, and shallots.
And here are some tips for traveling to Malaysia to make your culinary experience even more fulfilling:
Time
The weather here is warm year-round and has two distinct rainy seasons: in April-May and in October-November, with occasional storms but usually not lasting long.
How long?
A month is ideal, but a two-week trip is just right.
Move
In Malaysia, you can choose to travel by train or bus. If you're going to Penang, you can take a ferry from Butterworth.
Note
Most dishes here are traditionally eaten with your hands, using your fingertips to take small bites. The only exception is when eating noodles.
