Malaysian Food Scenes

Sights. Smell. Smoke. Sweat. Savour.

These are apt to describe Malaysian food scenes. Scenarios you can see along the streets, lonely or busy streets, short or long roads. In kampungs, towns, big cities and highways. This unique trademark about Malaysia has win the local hearts. Eventhough big cafes and restaurants are mushrooming left and right, street food however will bring more excitement, choices, flavours, colours, varieties and smell. Don't be surprised that most good and cheap food can be purchased here. Mostly favourites and popular among Malaysians.

In towns and smaller cities, you can walk along any roads, and you can see people selling foodstuff by the roadside. From pisang goreng, jemput-jemput pisang, cucur udang to cendul and ais kacang (fried bananas, banana patties, prawn patties, cold coconut milk with palm sugar and sweet grated ice). You name it, you can get it all here.

In the morning, you can see people selling breakfast. Nasi lemak, roti canai, kuih-muih...yes....true...you can get your local favourite breakfast so easily...by the roadside! No need to grate and squeeze your own coconut milk or kneading your own roti canai dough. No need to dirty your hands and do the odd jobs! It's soooo easy. Just drive your car, or if you are lucky, you can just walk to get them instantly!

At night, our pasar malam or night market will add more excitement, buzz and what else, eating activities. Turn everywhere and you can see people looking, oozing, watching, choosing, picking and tasting the food. For those who can't wait they will eat standing. On your left and right, food sellers will scream their signature dish and gosh...the choices are unbelievable. If you live just by the roadside where they erect this pasar malam tents, you don't even have to have a kitchen in your house! It will be spick and span, polished and fragrant! Even your cats like to sleep on the counter because it's sooo shiny! You too can do that!

What can you get in pasar malam? Almost everything! Cheap! From ayam percik or grilled chicken to noodles, all sorts of cooked rice, savoury cakes, sweet cakes, soups, fresh vegetables, fresh poultry and fish, all sorts of drinks like sugar cane, cincau, coffee, lime drinks to attire and home needs!

Wow! That's why I love this country very much.

Eventhough big, fine, air conditioned cafes and restaurants provide all the comforts, street stalls and pasar malam will provide the best and true Malaysian lifestyle at its humblest!