Indian-Muslim restaurants, some of which operate 24/7, are where many Malaysian foodies can be found. Be it for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or supper. Here are six must-order food that Malaysians make.
- The cone-shaped tower-like Roti Tisu
The cone-shaped tower-like roti tisu is huge! Everytime someone orders this, it’d definitely turn the heads of many in the restaurant. It is made from thin roti and stretched up to four-feet high! The waiters, who would be happy to serve you, would bring the bread that is glazed with sweet syrup. You can choose to dip your roti tisu into chutney or curry.
- The meat-stuffed Murtabak
I always see the Malaysian Malays ordering this. You can choose to stuff your pan-fried bread with egg, mutton or chicken. Ironically, my first encounter with murtabak was at a lunch session held for the participants of a film appreciation workshop. I’m going to try this out the next time I visit an Indian-Muslim restaurant.
- The crispy Tosai
If you’re looking for an alternative for dinner, try the tosai. It should be maddeningly crispy! It usually comes with coconut chutney, dhal and curry. If you didn’t already know, tosai is rich in carbohydrates and proteins. Don’t worry if you don’t like plain tosai; be happy to know that there are many variants to the plain version like the masala tosai.
- The fluffy Roti Canai
I used to go to this restaurant in Sri Hartamas after my foot reflexology sessions, which I had abandoned. The roti canai served there was fluffy every single time we came back! I wonder if it’s still operating. Roti Canai is usually served with curry and dhal. While some prefer the lentil-based dhal, I like mine to have the flavours of both dips. The word canai is said to be associated with Channa, boiled chickpeas in spicy gravy or the Indian city of Chennai.
- The spicy Nasi Lemak
Another popular order though you might want to check on its freshness, especially if you’re patronising a 24-hour outlet. Nasi Lemak, which is coconut rice, is the one kind of rice that you can have for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, be warned that you’d need lots of exercise to burn those calories, especially if you’re nuts about Nasi Lemak. It is usually served with a hard-boiled egg, nuts, anchovies and cucumber. The spicy-ness of the Nasi Lemak is derived from the sambal or shrimp paste chilli. What’s interesting is you can have them with fried chicken or even ask for the crunchy and appetising kangkung.
- The healthy Capati
On days when we’re not as hungry, my mum and I would order this, particularly because we’re both small eaters. It’s a bread made from whole-wheat flour. If you’re looking for a healthier option, choose the Capati since it is less oily and yeast-free. If you’re vegan, this might just be the perfect choice for you.
Salivating and itching to go to an Indian-Muslim restaurant? I don’t blame you. This is Malaysia, after all.
