Ah, Malaysia during Ramadan—a feast for the senses and a banquet for the soul. As you witness the twilight fade into a shimmering silver crescent moon, you find yourself at the heart of a culinary adventure that's about to unfold beneath the stars. Every nook and alleyway is a harbour of flavours waiting to be explored.

Prompted by the call of Maghrib prayers, the streets are aflutter with life as the fast is broken and the feast begins. This isn't just a ritual; it's a celebration of togetherness that you can taste in the air—a piquant blend of spices and sweetness that beckons the curious.

Here, the stories of the dishes are as rich and layered as their flavours. Take the beguiling ketupat, for instance, neatly wrapped rice parcels that whisper tales of bygone feasts and communal joy. Each bite is a step back in time into Malaysia's storied past.

In the realm of the Ramadan spread, every dish entices with its own signature allure. There's the vibrant tapestry of kerabu salad, bursting with fresh herbs and tangy dressings, a testament to the diverse pallet and history of the Malaysian people. And as you navigate your way through the plethora of stalls, remember: these dishes are best savoured with patience and reverence, eaten slowly to appreciate the subtleties of each spice, each texture.

Read also: 5 Popular Ramadan Bazaar in Kuala Lumpur

Table of Content

1. Ayam Percik
2. Putu Buluh
3. Murtabak
4. Roti John
5. Samosa
6. Sate Pedal & Sate Hati
7. Nasi Briyani
8. Nasi Kerabu
9. Cendol
10. Kuih-Muih & Sweet Desserts

10 Most Popular Ramadan Food in Malaysia

10 Most Popular Ramadan Food in Malaysia

Ayam Percik

This beloved delicacy whispers tales of tradition through its aromatic spices and rich coconut sauce. Picture it: chicken bathed overnight in an enchanting mix of seasonings, each ingredient promising to transport your taste buds to the lush landscapes of Malaysia.

As dawn breaks, the marinated chicken meets the smouldering embrace of charcoal, where it's tenderly basted until it achieves the perfect balance of juiciness and flavour. Each bite is not merely an act of nourishment; it's an invitation to savour centuries-old culinary wisdom, a bite-sized journey into the soul of Kelantanese culture.

Ayam Percik is a popular ramadan food in Malaysia

Putu Buluh

A traditional Malaysian delight, Putu Buluh offers a unique taste experience with its cylindrical steamed cakes made from rice flour. Perfumed and coloured by the essence of pandan leaves, these small treats are filled with the sweetness of palm sugar and encased in a soft blanket of freshly grated coconut, all steamed to perfection within bamboo tubes. This dessert not only tantalizes the taste buds but also carries the aroma and tastes of Malaysian heritage.

The traditional Putu Buluh or kuih putu is made using suji or rice flour

Murtabak

This hearty dish is a testament to the rich culinary diversity of Malaysia, featuring thick, egg-fried pancakes abundantly stuffed with a mix of spiced minced meat and vegetables. Served alongside dal curry and syrup-pickled onions, Murtabak creates a flavourful symphony that perfectly marries the taste of spices and savoury fillings, making it a beloved choice among locals and travellers alike.

Murtabak is a type of pan-fried bread with meaty filling

Roti John

An inventive take on the sandwich, Roti John combines the flavours of minced meat, green onions, and eggs, lavished with tomato-chili sauce, all nestled within a long loaf of bread. This dish is a blend of textures and tastes, offering a mouthwatering experience that is both familiar and excitingly different, a hallmark of Malaysia's fusion cuisine.

Roti john is a very filling omelette sandwich

Samosa

In Malaysia, the traditional samosa is reimagined with a local twist, featuring a larger size filled predominantly with minced meat. Its distinctive triangular shape encases a melody of flavours that are more Malay-centric, offering a tantalizing bite that stands apart from its Indian counterpart and speaks to Malaysia's unique culinary landscape.

Samosa is a delicious deep-fried savoury appetiser

Sate Pedal & Sate Hati

A celebration of Malaysian street food, these skewers of chicken rumps and gizzards are marinated in a sweet sauce before being grilled over hot charcoal. The result is a smoky treat with a hint of sweetness, reflecting the simplicity and richness of Malaysian flavours and the nation’s love for grilled delicacies.

Sate Pedal and Sate Hati are both delicious Ramadan choices

Nasi Briyani

A dish that beautifully illustrates the confluence of Indian and Malay culinary traditions in Malaysia, Nasi Briyani is renowned for its fragrant, softly cooked rice accompanied by succulently tender mutton or beef. The complexity of its aroma and the depth of its flavour make it a festive staple and a comfort food for many.

Nasi Biriyani is undoubtedly a Malaysian favourite

Nasi Kerabu

Distinct for its strikingly blue rice, thanks to the dye from butterfly-pea flower petals, Nasi Kerabu is more than just a feast for the eyes. This celebrated Malay dish is an ensemble of fried or gravy-chicken, a variety of belacan chili pastes, herbs, raw vegetable salad, fish or prawn crackers, and toasted grated coconut, each component adding layers of flavour and texture that are truly Malaysian.

Nasi Kerabu is a type of nasi ulam, typically eaten with chicken, crispy crackers, pickles and raw salad.

Cendol

Offering respite from the tropical heat, Cendol is a cherished Malaysian beverage that combines the sweetness of palm sugar with the creaminess of coconut milk, the chewiness of rice flour jelly, and the satisfying crunch of shaved ice and red beans. Variants with durian or glutinous rice cater to diverse palates, making Cendol a versatile and refreshing treat.

Cendol is a famous iced sweet dessert that's perfect after a meal

Kuih-Muih & Sweet Desserts

The realm of Malaysian desserts is a vibrant tableau of kuih-muih and sweets, each more enticing than the last. Despite their often rich sweetness, these desserts are hard to resist, with their captivating flavours and textures inviting you to indulge in just one more bite, making them a joyful end or interlude to any meal.

Jelly with beautiful filling and layers

Popular ramadan fares also feature sweet items

Kuih-muih comes in all shapes andd colours

Roti Bom is a spiralled, thicker and sweetened version of Roti Canai

Apam Balik is a type of thin pancake with crisp edges filled with coarse castor sugar, ground peanut, grated coconut, and creamed corn.

As the evening call to prayer signals the end of the fast, Malaysia unfolds its vibrant array of Ramadan delights. From the smoky allure of succulent Sate Pedal to the delightful chill of Cendol, each dish lays out an invitation to a world of flavour that's steeped in tradition and enlivened by community spirit. The beloved Nasi Briyani, with its tender morsels of meat nestled amongst fragrant grains, and the blue-hued Nasi Kerabu are but exclamation points in this celebratory script of cuisine.

Whether you find solace in the sweet embrace of Putu Buluh or the hearty comfort of a Murtabak, know that indulging in these foods is to partake in a feast that's about much more than sating hunger—it's about savouring a rich cultural rendezvous that only Malaysia can offer.

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