Food in Kuala Lumpur

Don’t we all just love food, and the Malaysians are no exception. Infact the best part of travelling is trying out different cuisines. Kuala Lumpur has so many different cultures living together in harmony that the variety you can get with regards to food is amazing. How does one decide what to eat, where to eat? Choices are so many that it can easily confuse a traveller. It depends on the kind of food you want to eat. In Kuala Lumpur, Malay food is most commonly available since it is the biggest race there. You don’t have to worry about budget, you can eat fairly well for fairly little.

 

Malay Food

The Malay food in Malaysia has been influenced by traders from all over the world. So you will find a little bit of India, China, Middle East in every dish. Overall Malay food is spicy with a hint of sweetness.The main ingredients are chilli, lemon grass and ginger. Since Malaysia is Muslim dominated, no pork, non halal meat and alcohol is served or used. Beef and fish is used more frequently. Some of the popular Malay dishes are: Nasi Lemak , so popular, even the Chinese and Indians serve their own similar version. Simply delicious, Nasi Lemak is eaten throughout the day for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Satay, is pieces of softened, marinated meat, skewered on a thin stick made of coconut frond. It is then barbecued over a tray of hot steaming charcoals until brown and tenderly moist. Roti Jala , is a popular tea-time entrée. It literally translates to 'net bread' because it is a lacy crepe resembling a fishing net. Roti Jala occasionally replaces rice in the Malay home for meals.

 

Chinese Food

Chinese food has a vast menu. While Chinese food is generally mild in taste, the Malaysian Chinese have innovated and produced dishes with a touch of Indian and Malay cooking, creating food that can be spicy. Chopsticks are the preferred method to eat. Chinese food is probably the most varied in Malaysia and best of all, it's everywhere – from hawker stalls to 'kopitiams' (shop lot restaurants decked with the barest furnishings) and fancy restaurants to the humble Chinese home. Some popular dishes are : Dim Sum, refers to a collection of meats and savoury items put on small saucers, kept hot in bamboo baskets and served on a push-cart tray. Bah Kut Teh, a Malaysian-Chinese dish, Bah Kut Teh originated from Klang. This dish is so good, that Chinese will drive from one state to the other to find a stall that serves it well. Kai Fan, or 'Chicken Rice' is cooked and enjoyed by Chinese all over the world, originating first from Hainan province in China. Tai Chow, isn't a dish but merely a reference to a wide range of food cooked on-the-fly. Patrons make their choices from a menu and the chef then cooks it on a flaming wok to serve it fresh and hot. From fried rice to glass noodles and steamed fish with ginger to sweet-and-sour pork ribs, Tai Chow is the easiest way to sample Chinese cuisine at one go.

 

Indian Food

When the Indian labourers migrated to Malaysia to work in rubber estates and on railways, they brought with them cooks from the land of overwhelming curries and rich onions. In Malaysia, both Northern and Southern Indian cuisine have been adapted to produce sensational curries, delicious bread and creative desserts. Coriander, turmeric, cumin and curry feature heavily in Indian dishes along with rich ingredients such as ghee, yoghurt and chilli. The best way to describe Indian food is elaborate, fragrant and hot. Indians, like Malays, usually eat with their hands but forks and spoons are becoming common-place. Hindus (the main religion of Indians) do not eat beef. Some of the popular dishes are : Roti Canai, a favourite for breakfast, the ultimate in simplicity and taste. It is basically a kind of pancake served with dhal, chicken or fish curry. Tandoori Chicken, whole spring chickens or chicken quarters are marinated in a deep red batter with yoghurt and spices and then skewered on a metal stick. Usually served with Naan. Mutton Kurma, mutton curry is a delightful dish of lamb or mutton cooked in a medley of spices - coriander, aniseed, peppercorns, turmeric, cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, nutmegs and cardamoms. Cumin is its main ingredient.

 

Sea Food

Kuala Lumpur may not be close to any coastal areas, but there certainly is good seafood to be found. Most of them are Chinese restaurants that have a specialised cooking style blending in Malay, Chinese and Indian styles to produce gastronomically-pleasing seafood dishes. A fantastic seafood item to try is steamboat – a Chinese dish. For the best seafood, head to Pulau Ketam in Klang or Kuala Selangor.

 

 

Nyonya Food

The Nyonya food that you can find in Kuala Lumpur comes from Malacca's rich Peranakan culture. Malaccan Nyonya food is also distinct from Penang Nyonya food, where it can also be found.

 

 

With so many different cultures mixing together, the nightlife in Kuala Lumpur is anything but dull. Although Malaysia is a Muslim country, alcohol is freely available in the capital and the nightlife is one of the liveliest in Asia. Traditional nightlife for many locals still involves a visit to a bustling pasar malam(night market). The Saturday market on Jalan Raja Muda is the highlight, although Jalan Petaling in Chinatown closes nightly to traffic and is still a local favourite, despite the presence of many tourists. The main area for bars is in the Golden Triangle, where there are many European-style bars and nightclubs inside the luxury hotels.