Tropical Goodness: 7 Delicious Fruit & Vegetable Dishes in Malaysia

Jalan Alor Food Street in Kuala Lumpur

Beautiful Malaysia is home to a diverse population and its culinary dishes reflect that. In Malaysia, Indian, Chinese and Malay cultures influence food and beverage staples such as rice, shrimp, coconut and chili peppers.

Fruit stand in Malaysia

Things to know about Malaysia's gastronomy:

• Dishes reflect its cultural range of Indian, Chinese and Malay influences with lots of spices and aromas including spicy and lighter flavors.

• Coconut, belacan (shrimp sauce) and chili peppers are staple items in Malay cuisine.

• Many natives eat with their hands and, depending on the eatery, you may or may not find utensils.

• Hawker centers, open-air food complexes, are easy to find where you can choose from a variety of individual food stalls.

• Fruit juices with unique combination of fruits such as lime prune juice and lemon dragon fruit juice.

  
  

Malaysian food is fruit and vegetarian friendly with many options to choose from. Here are some of the most popular vegetable and fruit dishes in Malaysia:

1. Pan Mee

Pan Mee, also referred to as Ban Mian, is a noodle dish combining Chinese and Malaysian influences.

A dish originating from Malaysia is Pan Mee, a noodle dish with various vegetables. Utilizing Hakka noodles, flour combined with eggs are ingredients found in this popular dish. Common culinary items include:

• Egg Noodles

• Spinach

• Dried Anchovies

• Mani Cai (leaf vegetable)

• Scallions

• Minced Meat

• Soy Sauce

• Water

• Cooking Oil

• Garlic

• Mushrooms

• Sugar

• Salt

2. Pulut Mangga

Pulut Mangga, mango sticky rice, is a traditional dessert in Malaysia

A delicious fruit dessert popular is mango sticky rice, referred to as Pulut Mangga. A staple in Malaysia as well as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, this dessert is typically served after a meal. Make your own with the following ingredients:

• Glutinous Rice

• Coconut Milk

• Sugar

• Salt

• Pandan Leaves

• Sesame Seeds

• Fresh Mangoes

3. Popiah

Popiah are fresh spring rolls drawing from Chinese culture

Originating from Fujian, China, Popiah has become a hit in other countries including Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia. These thin spring rolls are common during the Qingming Festival, a traditional Chinese celebration where people pay respect to their ancestors and celebrate spring. To make your own, here is a recipe to create your own Popiah:

• Popiah Skin (make your own with all-purpose flour, water and salt)

• Jicama (root vegetable)

• Carrots

• Shrimp

• Garlic

• French Beans

• Chili Sauce

• Salt

• Sugar

• Cooking Oil

• Pepper

4. Pisang Goreng

Pisang Goreng, banana fritters, are a popular snack in Malaysia.

An icon in its own right, banana fritters, called Pisang Goreng in Malaysia, are delectable treat sure to satisfy your senses. In high demand among Malaysian street food, this snack combines savory and sweet flavors. Common ingredients in this fried treat include:

• Bananas (Pisang raja or Pisang abu top choices)

• Batter (make your own with rice flour, corn flour, baking soda, water and turmeric)

• Cooking oil for cooking

5. Rojak

Rojak is a salad frequently eaten in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

A sweet and sour salad popular in Malaysia is Rojak. Originating from Java, Indonesia, this salad combines fruits and vegetable and truly reflects Malaysia's diversity. Popular ingredients for this entry include:

• Rojak Sauce

• Blanched Kang Kung (water spinach)

• Beansprouts

• Jambu (unripe rose apples)

• Cucumber

• Mangoes

• Jicama (turnip)

• Guava

• Peanuts

• Pineapple

• Tofu

• Prawn Crackers

• Palm Sugar

6. Durian

The King of Fruits Durian

A tropical fruit native to in southeast region of Asia is Durian, also called The King of Fruits due to its powerful smell and spiky exterior. Considered by some as the most popular fruit in Malaysia, Durians stand out due to its texture, unique taste and strong aroma. This fruit can create various dishes and desserts including:

• Durian Puffs (cream puffs)

• Durian Fritters (fried Durian)

• Lempok Durian (chewy candy)

• Durian Mochi (frozen sweet with glutinous rice and creamy Durian)

• Durian Chips

• Durian Egg Rolls

7. Nasi Lemak

Originating in Malaysia, Nasi Lemak commonly served for breakfast.

Introducing the national dish of Malaysia, Nasi Lemak. Popular in the southern region of Thailand and Philippines, Christmas Island and Singapore, this rice dish is a main course usually devoured for breakfast. Starting off as a meal for farmers, this meal balances fish, rice and oil. Make your own Nasi Lemak with the following ingredients:

• Pandan Leaves

• Coconut Milk

• Sambal (Indonesian chili sauce)

• Cucumbers

• Anchovies

• Rice

• Fish (sardines or mackerel)

• Red Onions

• Water

• Shallots

• Garlic

• Oil

• Red Chilis

• Peanuts

• Eggs

• Sugar