One of the perks of living in a multicultural society is definitely having the luxury of choosing from different types of cuisines for breakfast every day.
Even with cafes serving Western brunch meals gaining popularity in recent years, local Malaysian breakfasts will always have a special place in our hearts. Nothing beats getting up early and hitting our favourite ‘kopitiam’ and ordering from our go-to stalls on autopilot mode with full assurance that it’s going to be delicious!
If you are a foodie visiting Malaysia, you are in the right country! Food makes our world go round! Make sure you try these 7 typical Malaysian breakfasts while you’re here!
1. Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak is one of Malaysia’s staple rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf served with juicy fried chicken, fried anchovies, boiled eggs and sambal, the fragrant Malay Chili paste. This dish enjoyed with an ice cold Milo will definitely wake you up the right way with sweat and a happy satisfied tummy!
2. Noodle Soup
One of Malaysian’s typical breakfast scenes is locals hunched over and slurping audibly to steaming bowl of hot Noodle Soup. When it comes to noodle soup, you get to choose from a wide variety like wonton noodle soup, fish soup noodles, chicken and beef noodles, curry noodles to name a few.
3. Kaya Toast
The Kaya Toast is the basic Malaysian breakfast, but they also love to have a few brioche buns. It is basically bread toasted to perfection and slathered with some sweet kaya, a coconut jam which is really, the Nutella of Malaysia. It goes well with soft-boiled eggs flavoured with pepper and soy sauce and a hot cup of coffee or tea.
4. Roti Canai
The Roti Canai is the Indian’s fried pancake and almost all Malaysians love it. The making of this pancake is quite a show on its own, involving the dough bring swung into the air skillfully. It is usually served with dal or curry. For the most gratifying experience, you got to forsake the cutlery and eat it with your bare hands! We can assure you, it is worth getting your hands dirty for. Make sure you have it with the best Teh Tarik drink!
5. Laksa
This one is definitely worth waking up early for! Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup made up of either thick noodles or rice vermicelli and a tasty umami-flavored broth that will get your heart pounding for round 2. There are many versions of Laksa soup bases – curry, coconut milk or asam, depending on which part of the island you are on.
6. Buns and Kueh
Ask anyone who grew up in a typical Malaysian family, before school routine normally involves heading to the nearest market or kopitiam to get some Buns and Kueh for breakfast on-the-go. You can pick from Kuih salat, Nonya Kuehs, to curry puffs and hot dog buns, the variety is so large that you are spoilt for choice every single time!
7. Dim Sum
If you are a snacker, Dim Sum is The Breakfast for you! Enjoy bite-sized food served in bamboo steamer baskets. The best thing about Dim Sum breakfast is that you get to choose and taste different little variations all in a meal. For newbies, you can start with the popular ones such as Xiao Long Bao, Siu Mai (Steam Dumplings – Pork or Prawns), Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings), Chicken Feet or Loh Bak Gao (Steamed Turnip Cake). Grab a pot of hot Chinese to have it like a Chinese.
What is your favourite Malaysian breakfast? Let us know in the comments!
Header Image : Wok & Skillet | fave Blog | GutomNa! | Asian Inspirations | Teh Tarik Place | Steamy Kitchen | SBS
