Malaysian's cuisine

Growing up in Malaysia meant I was surrounded by some of the most diverse and flavorful cuisine in the world. As a country located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia's food scene is heavily influenced by its Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other Asian roots. The blend of ingredients and cooking styles across cultures has resulted in truly unique Malaysian dishes that I still crave to this day.

Many people are familiar with satay, the grilled skewers of meat that have become popular around the globe. But Malaysian satay takes it to another level. The meat, usually chicken, mutton or beef, is marinated in a rich spices like lemongrass, garlic, shallots and kicap manis (sweet soy sauce) before being grilled to perfection. Served with chunky peanut sauce for dipping, just a few bites can transport you straight back to the bustling streets of Malaysia. Growing up, my friends and I would walk to the night market specifically for the satay - the smoky aroma alone was enough to draw us in every time.

Rice is the cornerstone of any Malaysian meal. Nasi lemak is our unofficial national dish and always a family favorite. It consists of coconut rice steamed with pandan leaves, giving it an irresistible yellow hue and subtle coconut flavor. The rice is paired with fried ikan bilis (dried anchovies), peanuts, cucumbers, chili sambal and a boiled egg. Many think nasi lemak tastes best in the morning, but I've been known to indulge at any time of day. Another classic rice dish is nasi campur, which translates to "mixed rice." As the name implies, it contains a variety of curries, meats and vegetables all served alongside steaming white rice for you to construct your own one-bowl meal.

When it comes to Malaysian noodles, nothing beats mee goreng - fried noodles with an umami kick from dark sweet soy sauce. Mee goreng is supremely customizable - you can add chicken, shrimp, chilli padi or vegetables based on your mood. But the key ingredient that makes it sing is kicap manis. Just a splash transforms the noodles into an addictive snack that both locals and visitors alike always have to have seconds of. Another great noodle option is mee hoon kueh - thin rice vermicelli tossed with a light broth and herbs. Traditional hawker stalls serve it topped with diced pork, vegetables and a poached egg.

As a Southeast Asian country, Malaysian cuisine also takes inspiration from its Malay, Chinese and Indian influences. Bak kut teh is a hearty broth made with pork ribs, garlic, five-spice and herbs. The Chinese dish warms you up on a rainy day like nothing else. Nasi Briryani packs flavorful basmati rice with spices, meat and hard boiled eggs in the style of Indian biryani - it's a favorite splurge meal. Rojak is a salad comprising of crunchy fresh fruits like pineapple, cucumber and fennel with a sweet, spicy peanut sauce. Last but not least, don't leave Malaysia without tasting its famous soy-braised tossed noodles - mee siam. Made with thin egg noodles, chicken, prawns and a thick dark gravy, it was love at first slurp for me.

Of course, no trip to Malaysia is complete without sampling its indigenous desserts. Ketupat sayur is a palate cleanser made of compressed rice cakes served in a rich coconut broth with chilis. Kuih are traditional Malay cakes or cookies, with varieties like ondeh-ondeh made of glutinous rice and coconut filling, and love letters (kuih talam). But my personal favorite will always be bubur cha cha - a chilled pandan coconut sweet soup dotted with red beans, sweet corn and palm seed. The refreshing sweet milkiness just hits the spot on a hot day.

Even after living abroad for years, I still crave Malaysian comfort foods from time to time. The lively street scenes and incredible variety of flavors created by our multi-cultural influences give the country's cuisine an irresistible character. I hope sharing some of my favorites gives you a taste of Malaysia without hopping on a plane. Next time you're feeling homesick, throw together a batch of nasi lemak or mee goreng - it may not be the same, but it will surely hit the nostalgia spot. Bon appetit!