Malaysian Mixed Food Cuisines!

I know its been a while since I post something here almost a week d... Well have you had a Malaysian cuisine? Of course we have heard of Western cuisine, Chinese cuisine, Indian cuisine and Malay cuisine. But "Malaysian cuisine"? Well a briefly explanation  Malaysia cuisine is mostly influenced by the various cultures from all around the world. As we know Malaysia is made mostly 3 different race ethnics - Malays, Chinese, and Indians living together mostly in harmony. As a result of historical migration and Malaysia's geographical advantage, Malaysia's culinary style is  mixture of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Thais, and Arabian cuisines. This resulted in a symphony of flavours, and making Malaysian cuisines highly exotic albeit a touch underrated as compared to some our neighbouring counterparts. As we walks the streets of Malaysia, we are lucky to have all sorts of varieties of cuisines served either in their original recipe or modified into a fusion as we know today the norms of local food! I will briefly state the origins of the cuisines found in Malaysia!

Food Types

Malay food

Malay cuisines bears a lot of similarities to Indonesian cuisine, some of the regional traditions from Sumatra. It is also influenced by Chinese, Indian, Thai and many other cultures throughout history, producing a distinct cuisine of their own. Many of Malay dishes revolves around a rempah, which is a spice paste. Rempahs are created by grinding up fresh and/or dried spices and herbs to create a spice paste which is then sauteed in oil to bring out the aromas. Hmm.. now that is what you call a little of spice makes a difference.
Food example: Nasi Lemak!

Malaysian Indian Food

Malaysian Indian cuisine of the ethnic Indians in Malaysia is very similar to its roots in India, especially South India although there some with North India influences too. Before meal its a customary to wash hands, reason being food is often eaten using hand, there is also a serving spoon for each respective dish. This cuisine consists of curries which uses a lot of spices, coconut milk, and curry leaves. Some of the most popular curries include chicken curry, fish curry and squid curry.
Food example: banana leaf rice

Malaysian Chinese Food

Malaysian Chinese food is derived from mainland southern Chinese cuisine such as Fujian cuisine, Cantonese cuisine and Hakka cuisine but has been influenced by local ingredients and dishes from other cultures though it remains distinctly Chinese. Most of Chinese cuisines has pork as their sub-ingredient, but due to the popularity and unique taste of the actual food, there are chicken options available for the local Malays. Now of days it can be seen Chinese restaurant serving halal food.
Food example: Chee Cheong fun (Chinese : 豬腸粉)

Nyonya Food

Nyonya food was developed by the Nyonya known as Straits Chinese and Pernakan mixed Chinese/Malay ancestry of Malaysia and Singapore. It mainly Chinese ingredients but blends them with South-East Asian spices such as coconut milk, lemon grass, turmeric, screwpines leaves, chilles and sambal. It can be considered as a blend of Chinese and Malay cooking with some Thai influences
Food example: Acar

Sarawak Indigenous Cuisine

There is also Sarawakian cuisine which tends to have a distinct cuisine from their Peninsula counterparts. Some of them are part of the traditional cuisine of the natives, while some are influenced by either Chinese or Indian cuisine.
Food example: Sarawak Kolo Mee

Malaysia being a multicultural country, Malaysians have over the years adapted each others dishes to suit the taste buds of their own culture. For instance, Malaysians of Chinese descent have adapted the Indian curry, and made it more dilute and less spicy to suit their taste. Chinese noodles have been crossed with Indian and Malay tastes and thus we have Malay Mee Goreng and Indian Mee Goreng were borned.

So as Malaysians we have to appreciate the unity and the peace God has given us as a nation to live in. We are united not only by the name Malaysia but by the food and culture. As the saying goes food speaks many languages. So you dont have to know the language of the other person to enjoy a meal with them.
Malaysian food source

DeliverEat