My Favorite Malaysian Food

by Peter
(Sitiawan, Malaysia)

The huge 3 in 1 noodle soup in Sitiawan

For three years I live in Malaysia and I love it. However, Malaysia has one serious problem, it makes people FAT.

Why is that? Malaysia is a multi racial society which is great. Muslims, Indians, Chinese and others live next to each other and share a lot with each other.

This includes their ways of cooking. Many dishes in Malaysia may find their origin in one group but are picked up by another.

I know Indians who's favorite food is Chinese, I know Chinese and Indians who would not start the day without a tosai, a roti canai or a nasi lemak. I know Malays who think that a mee rebus is the best noodle dish to be found (if halal).

Once you get in touch with Malaysians, very quickly the discussion goes to food.

And it makes sense, a country with such a variety of wonderful food has people who cook it. And trust me, Malaysians are not only happy eaters, they are also excellent cooks.

So, what is my favorite food? Pheww, hard question. Probably the steamed fish, the way the Chinese make it is my favorite. Or not, a good plate of nasi lemak is always good (of course with ikan bilis).

I love Mee Rebus, a noodle dish, and the best to be found in Penang by Indian hawkers. Another great dish is the pineapple curry, a combination many people in the west consider as "impossible" but trust me, it is great.

Probably my ultimate favorite dish is a noodle soup I get in one of the Chinese restaurants here in Sitiawan. It's a mix soup of curry mee, laksa and prawn mee.

Many Penangians told me it's impossible this mix would be great but once they have had it, they do agree. This 3 in 1 soup, as it is called is something I can have for breakfast, lunch and dinner... well... almost then.

But like I said earlier, the main problem in Malaysia is not to eat too much because there is so much good food.

When you visit Malaysia, do not limit yourself to the usual tourist restaurants, but instead go to the street hawkers, the pasar malams or make friend with some locals. 9 out of 10 they take you somewhere you would not go yourself. Malaysia is a great food country.

If you would like to learn more about where I live and to find the noodles restaurant I get my "3 in 1" soup, please visit My Pangkor website

Peter