The Chinese first came to Malaysia during the 15th century and settled along the west coast, mainly in Malacca and the island of Penang. Known as Peranakans, the descendants of the immigrants use Hokkien cooking techniques along with Malay and Indonesian spices to create delicious noodle dishes unlike any in other parts of the world.
Today, their influence on delicious Penang food can best be experienced at the hawker noodle stalls found in Georgetown and all across Malaysia. Fujian food is known for the emphasis placed on the original flavor of the ingredients rather than trying to mask it with sauces.
With no menus or posted prices, street stalls can seem intimidating to the uninitiated. Don't miss out on some of the best food Malaysia has to offer - use this guide for landing an unforgettable meal under $2!
Popular Malaysian Noodle Dishes
- Char Kway Teow: King of the local noodles, kway teow was once the dish of commoners and laborers. The wide kway teow-style noodles are served both stir-fried - listed on menus as "dry" - and in soup. Char Kway Teow is usually fried in pork fat and contains egg, prawns, fishcake, and soy sauce. Unfortunately the taste comes with a price - char kway teow is high in saturated fat.
- Mee Hoon: Sometimes confusingly called "bee hun" or any number of variants, Singapore-style mee hoon noodles are thin, rice vermicelli noodles found either stir-fried or in noodle soups with vegetables. Of all the styles of noodles, mee hoon is the healthiest choice.
- Hokkien Mee: Also known as "prawn noodles", Hokkien mee is comprised of noodles served in a thick broth made from pork and prawns. Thin slices of boiled egg, bean sprouts, shallots, spinach, and fish-based chili paste make this signature noodle dish unique from all others. Sometimes barbecued meat is added in thin slices.
- Laksa: A favorite food in Kuching, laksa is popular all over Malaysia with style differing by region. The assam laksa in Penang is spicy, sour, and fishy tasting while the laksa in Kuching is thick, creamy, and coconut-based. Laksa is a dish that you will inevitably crave once you get home! Read more about laksa.
- Mee Rebus: This noodle dish is served in a tomato-based gravy with sweet potatoes. Yellow egg noodles are usually accompanied by hardboiled egg and shallots. Lime juice lends the semi-sweet soup a citrus aftertaste.
- Mee Mamak: This Muslim Indian egg noodle dish differs from all others by the fact that it is fried in ketchup! Don't knock it until you try it - a blend of spices adheres to the sticky noodles creating a completely new experience. Read more about Malaysian Indian food.
- Loh Mee: Two kinds of noodles are combined in an egg gravy to produce Loh Mee, commonly found in Penang. The gravy, thickened with starch, has a thick and slimy texture.
- Wan Tan Mee: This distinctly Chinese noodle dish consists of egg noodles in a thin, pork-based broth with dumplings or wontons. The wontons are typically pork wrapped in thick, chewy egg noodle.
- Curry Mee: Just as the name suggests, curry mee is usually thin, mee hoon noodles in a coconut-based curry. Curry mee is sometimes served with mint leaves and prawn-based sambal (chili paste) for an added kick.
Read about where to eat in Georgetown, Penang for finding great Malaysian noodles.
Hawker Stalls and Street Carts
Some of the best, cheapest eats in both Kuala Lumpur and Penang can be found at the numerous street carts and stalls. Don't worry about the quality - with the amount of competition, a cart with bad or unsafe food would be out of business quickly!
Vegetarians and Vegans
Unfortunately, it seems that a majority of Malaysian noodle dishes are based on pork products; nearly all contain egg. Asking for your noodles to be prepared "without pork" means that they come without meat, however the broth is usually prepared with pork bones and fat. The actual noodles are often smoothened with lard and crispy, brown lard croutons are sometimes sprinkled on top for texture.
The only way to ensure that you are not eating pork is to eat at Muslim establishments clearly labeled as "halal".
Indian Muslim Noodle Dishes
The Chinese aren't the only ones that have contributed great noodles to Malaysia! The Indian Muslim community has put their own delicious twist on Malaysian noodle dishes.
- Read more about Malaysian Indian food.
Maggi Noodle Dishes
Any Malaysian noodle dish that mentions the word "Maggi" refers to deep fried, instant-style noodles known in the West as "Ramen". Opt instead for delicious, locally-made noodles.