Savour the delights of Mamak Food

Malaysia is renowned for its delicious indigenous cuisine, which is said to reflect the diverse social fabric of its vibrant multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society.

Mamak cuisine is, highly visible all over Malaysia. It is believed that this delicious fare was brought over to Malaysia, by Indian Muslims hailing from the southern states of India, like Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the 19tgh century. Over the years, the Indians intermingled with the local population through marriage and soon came to be associated with roadside eateries called ‘Mamak’ stalls, famed for serving delicious eats.

The term Mamak’ translates as ‘uncle’ in Tamil and is usually used by Malaysians to describe an adult Indian Muslim male, while the word ‘Mami’ is reserved for an adult Indian Muslim female.  Mamak stalls continue to dot Malaysia’s culinary landscape, though many stalls have today evolved into full-fledged restaurants serving a wide range of Indian-influenced foods. Mamak restaurants are nowadays usually outfitted with large-screen TVs and thus serve as choice dining locales for all Malaysians, especially when a big game is being broadcast.

If you wish to sample Mamak food, you can either head to one of the many Mamak stalls littered all over Malaysia or if you rather you could visit a Mamak restaurant of the Nasi Kandar Pelita , chain present all over Malaysia, well-known for mouth-watering halal, Indian Muslim fare.

Popular dishes served at Mamak eateries include: -

Roti Canai

A flaky paratha served with a spicy chicken curry sauce.

Roti Tisu

This wafer-thin conical pancake is usually anointed with syrup of condensed milk and sugar and is much loved by all.

Rojak Pasembur

This warm salad dish encompasses shredded vegetables like cucumber and turnip combined with diced potatoes, beansprouts, boiled eggs and tofu, all of which are tossed together with sweet and spicy peanut sauce.

Nasi Kandar

A dish of Nasi Kandar features rice (nasi) served with vegetarian or non-vegetarian spicy curries.

 

Murtabak

A dish of Murtabak features a roti stuffed with fillings like eggs, mutton, sardines, beef or chicken accompanied by a lentil-based dipping sauce.

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak renowned as Malaysia’s favorite comfort food is composed of rice steamed in coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and served with anchovies, peanuts and a fiery sambal(chutney).

Teh Tarik

Teh Tarik is the Malaysian (tea-based) interpretation of the famed South Indian pulled coffee.