1. Rojak (traditional salad)

Malaysians know it simply as a mixture, and it is a very popular snack that you can easily find in most food stalls. It is a traditional salad that is comprised of various vegetables and fruits, with common ingredients being green mango, cucumber, jicama, and pineapples. When it is served, it may be garnished with chopped peanuts, finely cut ginger flowers, and a thick black sauce to add color and flavor. It is a healthy snack that will give you that burst of energy you need to continue your tour of the city.

2. Ikan bakar (charcoal grilled fish)

In Malaysia, ikan bakar refers to a variety of grilled seafood. However, it is mostly fish wrapped in banana leaves before being grilled gently over a charcoal fire. It is one of the classic street foods you will encounter all over the country, and it comes loaded with flavor. When it is served, you will get a dipping sauce to go with it, and you can also choose to eat it with bread, though most people prefer enjoying it with rice.

3. Assam laksa (fish-based rice noodle soup)

Assam laksa is a fish-based rice noodle soup that features intense flavors - it is spicy and also tangy. This dish is a favorite on the streets, and it makes a very good introduction to the flavors of Malaysia. When it is being made, be sure to warn the vendor not to overload it with pepper, especially if you know you can’t withstand the heat.

4. Nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk)

No mention of the top street foods in Malaysia will ever be complete without the inclusion of nasi lemak. It is a living legend in most Asian streets, but what you will find in Malaysia is completely different from the version you will find in other places. This is a simple dish of fragrant rice cooked in a generous amount of coconut milk and is usually served with accompaniments such as boiled eggs, sweet sambal, anchovies, and roasted peanuts. The sight of it on the plate will make you hunger for more even before you are done with the first serving.

5. Bak kut teh (pork rib dish)

This is one of the most amazing pork dishes you will encounter on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, and it is not an overstatement to say that you are likely to fall in love with this dish as soon as you take a bite. It is a simple and rather basic pork dish that is made up of pork ribs simmered together with a wide range of spices and herbs. It is served with broth and not only is it healthy, but it is also very tasty and satiating.

6. Ramly Burger (Malaysian-style burger)

You will find Ramly Burger in nearly all the food stalls in Malaysia, and its popularity is due to its unique and tasty flavors. This burger has fed plenty of hungry locals and tourists. You can choose between chicken and beef patties wrapped in egg and spread with a special sauce. They are greasy and juicy, and will not disappoint in making you hunger for more Malaysian street food.

7. Satay (grilled meat on a skewer)

Satay is another staple every tourist in Kuala Lumpur is always eager to try. These are well-seasoned meat pushed through skewers then grilled over hot charcoal. Of course, skewers are a common sight in most streets across Asia, but in Kuala Lumpur, they are not only aesthetically appealing but also extremely addicting. When being served, they may come with a tangy peanut sauce and slices of onions and cucumber for extra flavor.

8. Chee cheong fun (rice noodle roll)

Seeing it for the first time, you may think it is just like any other rice roll, but when you put it into your mouth, the story changes immediately - it is no ordinary rice roll. When the name is translated in Malay, it means a mixture of pig intestines and noodles. However, on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, this street food is really just rice noodle rolls filled with shrimp or vegetables and doused in a generous amount of bright red or dark brown sauce. Its aesthetic appeal is just as endearing as its flavors.

9. Nasi kandar (steamed rice with curries)

Nasi kandar is another rice dish that is incredibly popular on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. It is amazing how Malaysia has a way of playing around with their rice dishes and curries. Holding a plate of Nasi Kandar will reveal to you the depth of their ingenuity. This street favorite is made with steamed rice that can either be flavored or simply plain. When being served, it is always accompanied by a variety of curries. The normal side dishes include deep-fried chicken, fried squid, prawns, deep-fried fish, and curried spleen, among others. It is always a plateful of flavors that is very filling.

10. Lok lok (assorted steamed food on skewers)

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If you want to have the best experience of lok lok, then be sure to stroll the streets of Kuala Lumpur, because it is one of the most adored night foods in the city. It features a variety of ingredients, including meat and vegetables that have been fully or partially cooked and then put on skewers. A typical skewer may have vegetables and some type of meat like sausage or bacon. They are affordable, satiating, and you also get more than just one flavor with every bite.

11. Cendol (sweet iced dessert)

Cendol is a local’s favorite way of cooling down during the hot weather. It is a sweet dessert that has shaved ice, palm sugar, jelly, and creamy coconut milk mixed together and served in a bowl. It is a cold, delicious snack you can enjoy while touring the city. You get to choose how strong or mild you want the flavors to be. Other than the cooling effect, you will also love the aromatic flavor and the texture from the ice and the coconut milk.

12. Hokkien char mee (fried noodles)

This delicacy originates from the Chinese province of Hokkien, hence, the name. This is another common noodle dish you have to try when you are in Kuala Lumpur. It is made of thick, fried noodles mixed with cabbage, squid, chicken or pork, sliced prawn, hardboiled eggs, sambal, fried shallots, and bean sprouts, and it is generously doused in dark soy sauce. With all these ingredients, you can expect this dish to be flavorful and also very filling.

13. Loh shu fun (noodle dish)

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This dish comes in a pot and is wonderfully garnished with green onions, various types of meat, and a single egg yolk. Loh shu fun is a delicious and flavorful dish of stir-fried noodles mixed with a generous amount of meat and vegetables, including shiitake mushrooms, raw egg, salted fish, minced meat, and relatively small portions of rice flour and cornflour. All these goodies are then put in a clay pot that helps retain the heat and make the noodles smoother and more tender.

14. Yong tau foo (tofu filled with meat or fish paste)

Yong Tau Foo is primarily tofu with fish or meat or both. A popular dish on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, this is best enjoyed with pork or fish paste. For this version, the bean curd sheets are wrapped and then deep-fried. Vegetarians can enjoy this with mushrooms and vegetables instead of surimi or meat.

15. Cantonese porridge

Cantonese porridge is not just a great way to start your day, but it is also a fantastic source of energy. It is a mixture of thick rice porridge with tasty bits of chicken, fish, pork, or beef. In most cases, it is served as a standalone meal that is ideal for persons of all ages, and not just for kids as some people have always believed.

16. Roasted duck

Roasted duck is a tasty cuisine that is flavorful and perfect for lunch or dinner. During preparation, the duck is well-marinated before being steamed until it becomes super tender. The last step is to deep-fry it until the skin becomes crispy and golden brown. It is a common sight on the streets and in most restaurants here. It is usually served on a bed of vegetables, accompanied by a variety of side dishes and condiments.

17. Roti canai (flatbread)

Roti canai originated from India, though it is a common street food all over Asia, including Kuala Lumpur. It is a flat, light, and crispy bread made from a mixture of flour, fat, and water. You are free to eat it as is, or you can use it as an accompaniment to chicken or fish curry.

Enjoy the best of Kuala Lumpur's street food

With a variety of street foods, you have no reason to get hungry when in Kuala Lumpur. If you are a foodie, then refer back to our recommendations for the top street food you must try in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia so that you have a good idea of where to start once you hit the streets. Enjoy these dishes and appreciate the culinary diversity of the city and the region.