Asian Food Primer: Maylasian Food

by David Johnson

Traders from Indonesia, India, China, and the Middle East have all influenced Malay cooking, which can be quite varied because of the ethnic mix of the country. Ethnic Malays are Muslim and do not eat pork, which, however, is popular among ethnic Chinese. Ethnic Indians tend to be Hindus who do not eat beef.

Common ingredients:

seafood, beef, chicken, lamb rice, coconut, banana, papaya, guava, sweet potatoes, spices

Popular dishes:

spicy coconut milk soup; satay (grilled kebab of marinated chicken, beef, or mutton); spring rolls with chicken and shrimp; noodles; banana porridge; lamb in yogurt

More Information:

• Infoplease Atlas: Malaysia
• Country Profile: Malaysia