Malaysian food is nothing short of fantastic. There is a choice of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Thai, Korean and Western – it’s all here.
Nyonya cuisine is probably the most famous of these fusions and is a blend of Chinese ingredients and Malay spices. Malay-style food comprises of seafood, meats and vegetables cooked with sweet, savoury and spicy sauces, and served with rich coconut milk infused rice or nasi.
Street stalls or hawkers are where the best local cuisines can be enjoyed cheaply. The theatrical ambience of these hawkers is like no other – with continuous demonstrations of wok tossing, teh tarik (tea pulling), the artful skill of flipping rotis (Indian bread), and barbecuing of satay sticks. You can enjoy most of these sights, sounds, smells and tastes at the neighbourhood mamak (or Indian food) stall.
As a Muslim nation, there are restaurants offering halal food prepared in religiously approved conditions. Malaysia is known for its wide variety of tropical fruits, including rambutans, mangosteens, jackfruit and durians. Roadside vendors selling fruits and other snacks are commonplace and the prices are usually cheaper than in supermarkets – especially when the special skill of bargaining is employed.
Malaysian Nightlife
Although Malaysia is a Muslim country, alcohol is still widely available in bars and nightclubs, especially in capital cities and tourist areas.
Nightlife in Malaysia is anything but boring. Kuala Lumpur offers a wide choice of nightspots with entertainment ranging from cultural shows and cabarets to Western-style bars and discos. Hot spots include Petaling Street, Jalan Alor, the Asian Heritage Row, Bangsar and many neighbouring suburbs.
