Char Kway Teow (Noodles with Shrimp and Sausage)

Malaysian char kway teow noodles with bean sprouts and egg

Char kway teow is a Malaysian stir-fried noodle dish made with flat rice noodles cooked quickly in a hot wok with shrimp, Chinese sausage, egg and bean sprouts. The noodles are tossed in soy sauce and chili paste while the wok heat creates the lightly smoky flavor known as wok hei. In Malaysia, it’s commonly […]

Nasi Dagang (Malaysian Coconut Rice with Fish Curry)

Nasi dagang Malaysian coconut rice served with fish curry on banana leaf.

Nasi dagang is a traditional Malaysian rice dish commonly associated with the east coast states of Terengganu and Kelantan. The rice is steamed with coconut milk and served with a rich fish curry, pickled vegetables and sometimes boiled eggs. This version of nasi dagang focuses on the classic pairing of coconut rice with tuna curry, […]

Asam Pedas (Malaysian Sour and Spicy Fish Stew)

Asam pedas, fish with tamarind and chilies, a Malaysian recipe.

Asam pedas is a Malaysian fish stew built around tamarind and a chili-based spice paste. The broth is thin, sharp and quite punchy, with the fish simmered directly in it so it takes on all that flavor. This version includes tomatoes and okra, which you’ll often see in Melaka and Johor styles. The tomatoes soften […]

Sarawak Laksa Recipe (Malaysian Noodle Soup with Shrimp and Chicken)

Malaysian noodle soup with chicken and shrimp, known as Sarawak laksa.

Sarawak laksa is a Malaysian noodle soup from the state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. The broth is built from a distinctive laksa paste simmered with aromatics and coconut milk, then served with rice vermicelli, shredded chicken, prawns and fresh herbs. The broth is built by cooking laksa paste with dried shrimp and […]

Otak-Otak Recipe (Malaysian Spiced Fish in Banana Leaves)

Prepared otak-otak ready to serve

Otak-otak is a Malaysian spiced fish paste wrapped in banana leaves and cooked until the edges lightly char and the inside sets soft. The mixture blends fish with coconut milk and spices into a thick paste, which is then wrapped and grilled in small parcels. The banana leaves hold everything together while cooking and pick […]