When you come to Malaysia, it would be a waste to eat only Japanese food! The author, who has lived in KL for five years, will carefully introduce local food and its most famous restaurants, which he declares are suitable for Japanese tastes.

1. Nasi Lemak🍚

National food of Malaysia. A classic breakfast dish of rice cooked in coconut milk and served with sambal (spicy sauce), small fish, peanuts, cucumber, and boiled eggs.

Recommended stores

  • ●location_onVillage Park Restaurant (Damansara Uptown)
  • ●Nasi lemak ayam goreng (with fried chicken) is delicious
  • ●A popular restaurant where people line up from 7 a.m.
  • ●RM12~18 per meal
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Advice for Japanese: The spiciness of sambal varies depending on the restaurant. Village Park is medium spicy and relatively easy to eat.

2. Roti Canai🫓

An Indian-Malaysian breakfast staple. Thinly rolled bread baked on a griddle. Served with dal (lentil curry).

Recommended stores

  • ●Roti Canai Transfer Road (Bangsar/PJ)
  • ●Famous chain originating from Penang
  • ●Roti tissues (crispy) look great on Instagram
  • ●1 piece RM2~5
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Wide variety: roti tellur (with egg), roti prata (sweet), rotisardine (with sardines), etc.

3. Char Kuey Teow🍜

Yakisoba originated in Penang. ``Wohhei'' is the key to frying flat noodles at once over high heat. The standard ingredients are shrimp, bean sprouts, chives, and eggs.

Recommended stores

  • ●Sisters Char Kuey Teow (around TTDI/Mid Valley)
  • ●Famous for being run by sisters
  • ●It's natural to wait in line. Waiting for 30-60 minutes
  • ●1 plate RM8~14
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Note: When asked, "Do you want spicy?", do you want spicy chili? For Japanese people, we recommend ``xiao ra'' (a little bit).

4. Bak Kut Teh🍖

Pork medicinal soup. A nourishing soup made with pork spare ribs slowly simmered with Chinese herbs.

Recommended stores

  • ●Sun Fong BKT (PJ Section 17 / KL)
  • ●Dry Bakute (dry version) is delicious
  • ●It is customary to eat it with fried bread.
  • ●RM15~25 per serving
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In Malaysia, there are Klang style (strong Chinese medicine/rich) and Singapore style (pepper/refreshing).

5. Laksa🌶

Coconut curry flavored noodles. Local laksa is available all over Malaysia.

Recommended stores

  • ●location_onMadam Kwan's (Pavilion, KLCC, etc.)
  • ●A popular chain among tourists and residents alike
  • ●Curry laksa is not too spicy and easy to eat
  • ●1 cup RM18~25
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Assam laksa (sour flavor) has different tastes. Beginners should start with curry laksa.

6. Nasi Kandar🍛

Indian Malaysian curry. Buffet style where you can put as many curries and side dishes on top of the rice as you like.

Recommended stores

  • ●Nasi Kandar Pelita (Many in various places)
  • ●Open 24 hours. late night ally
  • ●Fried chicken + 2 types of curry recommended
  • ●RM10~18 per meal
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Layering the curry is the key. If you say ``Kuwa, kuwa'' (pour some curry on me!), they'll give you plenty of it.

7. Hainanese Chicken Rice🐓

Hainan chicken rice. Moist boiled chicken with rice cooked in chicken soup.

Recommended stores

  • ●Nasi Ayam Chee Meng (PJ Section 17)
  • ●A famous restaurant frequented by locals
  • ●Both steamed and roasted
  • ●1 plate RM8~14
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Chicken rice in Malaysia is mostly roasted. It's a little different from Singapore.

8. Satay🍢

Malaysian version of yakitori. Chicken, beef, and mutton skewers served with sweet and spicy peanut sauce.

Recommended stores

  • ●Sate Kajang Hj Samuri (Many in various locations)
  • ●Malaysia's No.1 satay chain
  • ●Beef satay is especially delicious
  • ●10 pieces RM15~20
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If you order it like Japanese yakitori, the portions tend to be large. An appropriate amount is 10 to 15 bottles per person.

9. Wantan Mee🥟

Wonton noodles. A set meal type noodle made with thin egg noodles served with chashu, green vegetables, and wontons.

Recommended stores

  • ●Koon Kee Wantan Mee (PJ Old Town)
  • ●A long-established store with decades of history
  • ●Dry (no soup) is popular
  • ●1 cup RM8~12
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In Malaysia, the mainstream wonton mee is ``dry'' (no soup, soy sauce flavor). It is a different genre from Japanese ramen.

10. Teh Tarik☕

Malaysia's national drink. Add condensed milk to black tea and whisk using a ``tarik'' pouring from a high position.

Recommended stores

  • ●Any mamak is OK
  • ●24-hour Indian restaurants throughout Malaysia
  • ●1 cup RM2~3 (approx. 70~100 yen)
  • ●Less sweet is "Teh Tarik Kurang Manis"
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The ice version is "Teh Tarik Ice". Drinking cold te tare in the Malaysian heat is special!

3 tips to enjoy local food

  • 1
    Hygiene—If you have a sensitive stomach, start at popular restaurants (fast-moving restaurants). After getting used to the food stalls
  • 2
    Spiciness—“Tidak pedas” (don’t make it spicy) are the magic words.
  • 3
    Halal—Bak Kut Teh etc. that use pork are non-halal. Be careful when going with Muslim friends

Summary

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Malaysia is Southeast Asia's best food paradise. You can enjoy exquisite dishes for RM5-15 (175-525 yen) per meal. Start by conquering these 10 items!