Malaysians celebrate their National Day this weekend, followed by Malaysia Day on 16 September.
This is the time to enjoy some of the country’s iconic culinary creations at Auckland’s many Malaysian restaurants and eateries.
Here are 10 Malaysian dishes for your must-eat list.
Nasi Lemak
Fragrant coconut rice, believed to have originated as far back as 15th century Melaka, has become Malaysia’s unofficial national dish.
While there are variations to this dish, nasi lemak comes with a variety of accompaniments like hard-boiled egg, peanuts, sambal, anchovies and sometimes curries or rendang.
Where to eat this: Ailimteh Nasi Lemak Bungkus https://www.facebook.com/ailimtehnasilemakbungkus
Wan Tan Mee
Springy egg noodles, served al dente, with a tasty sauce using dark soy sauce and lard as a base. Usually served with sambal or green pickled chilli on the side.
You can have this as a soup noodle dish, or dry, with the wan tan dumplings served separately in a bowl of soup.
Where to eat this: Old Town Malaysian Cafe 3110 Great North Road, New Lynn. Ph 09 826 1102
Char Kway Teow
This is one of Malaysia’s most famous dishes, introduced by early migrants from China. Its main ingredient are flat rice noodles, which are fried with pork lard, dark and light soy sauce, lup cheong sausages, chives, bean sprouts, prawn and egg.
If you’re having this in Malaysia, blood cockles are an essential ingredient, but unfortunately those are nearly impossible to get in New Zealand.
A good char kway teow is cooked with “wok hei” or breath of wok, the smokey taste that is imparted when cooking in wok using extremely high heat.
Where to eat this: Malaysian Rice and Noodle House, 57D Wolverton Street, Avondale. Ph 09 828 8938.
Curry Laksa
There are many variations of laksa, but the most common version of this spicy noodle dish found in Auckland is in the form of noodles in curry gravy.
They are served with a choice of chicken, seafood or a vegetarian option.
Where to eat this: Selera Malaysian Cafe 487 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket. Ph 09 520 7977
Roti Canai
Roti Canai was introduced to Malaysia by migrants from India, and has morphed into a dish of its own.
An Indian-inspired flatbread, roti canai is made with flour, water, butter, and the concoction is flattened, folded, flipped, oiled and cooked on a skillet.
The result is a delicious pancake-flatbread that’s crispy outside and soft inside.
Served with a side of curry, tear up the roti and mop up the sauce.
Where to eat this: Uncle Man, 277 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central. Ph 09 377 1799
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Chicken is served poached on fragrant chicken-flavoured rice, cooked in chicken broth and fat, and accompanied with chilli sauce and a side bowl of chicken soup.
This dish originated in the Hainan province of China, but has been modified by cooks in Malaysia to become a comfort staple.
Where to eat this: Petaling Malaysian Restaurant, 248A Dominion Road, Mount Eden. Ph 09 974 3993
Lor Bak
Braised pork marinated in five-spice powder before being wrapped in a soft bean curd skin and deep-fried.
Its origins can be traced back to the Peranakans of Penang Island, and remains a Nonya specialty.
Where to eat this: Ipoh Malaysian Restaurant, 598 Remuera Road, Remuera. Ph 09 218 9155
Rojak
This is a Malaysian “salad” dish that has many variations, but the ones found in Auckland are a mixture of vegetables, fruits, and peanuts all mixed in a shrimp paste sauce.
Where to eat this: Treasure Kitchen Greenlane, 530 Great South Road, Greenlane. Ph 09 525 1288
Mee Goreng
Yellow noodles fried with beef or chicken or shrimp, with soy sauce, vegetables and eggs with a bit of chilli.
It’s a simple dish, but when fried in high wok heat, becomes something absolutely delicious.
Where to eat this: Sri Pinang 356 Karangahape Road. Ph 09 358 3886
Murtabak
Pan-fried bread packed with minced meat, onions and eaten by dipping in a side curry sauce.
Often described as a spicy folded omelette or pancake with bits of vegetables, murtabak is made from pan-fried crepes, stuffed with beaten eggs, chopped leeks, chives, or green onions, and minced meat, which is then folded and cut into squares.
Where to eat this: Desa Corner 246/254 Karangahape Road. Ph 09 600 3289
