Roti Canai :
Made from wheat flour dough Roti is kneaded and tossed into a roughly circular shape “pizza style” and cooked right in front of you on a hot plate sizzling with oil. Light and wholesome it is normally served with lightly spiced fish, chicken or “dhall” curry. Heavier versions of the Roti Canai include “Roti Telur”, which adds an egg and onions into the dough, “Roti Sardin”, with sardines, onions and egg and “Roti Planta” with margarine. Standard fare at Indian Muslim “mamak stalls”.

Char Kway Teow :
Found at almost every “food court” and Chinese restaurant the name of this noodle dish in Chinese literally means “fried flat noodles”, also called “Hor Fun”. Consisting primarily of noodles, shrimp, cockles, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, garlic, beaten eggs and soy sauce, the ingredients are stir fried in wok over a roaring fire and served piping hot. Chili paste is optional. Variations include “Mai Fun” thin vermicelli rice noodles, and “Mien” thicker and tubular variant of the flat noodle.

Satay :
Marinated meat on a stick, Malay style. Satay is basically charbroiled in bite size chunks and skewered on bamboo strips. Typically a spicy peanut sauce dip is included. Satay is served with cucumber and onion slices and best eaten as soon as it is cooked. Beef, chicken or lamb variations of satay can be found virtually everywhere in Malaysia. Usually eaten as an accompaniment of other foods, a satay dinner can be made complete with the addition of “ketupat”, a wholesome rice cake.

Rojak :
Also known to some as “Pasembor”, Rojak consists of deep fried prawn fritters, coconut confection, boiled squid strips, cucumber and turnip shreds, tofu, hard-boiled eggs and drenched in a rich and mildly spicy hot peanut sauce. Like many other Malaysian delights this potpourri tastes much better than it sounds (or looks). Predominantly sold at Indian-Muslim food establishments, Rojak should not be confused with “Rojak Buah” which is primarily made from fruit and vegetables.

Bak Kut Teh :
Another Chinese dish. Literal translation: Pork bone soup. Somewhat “exotic” compared to the other dishes listed above, with its somewhat herbal tasting stock, it may be construed as an acquired taste. Basic ingredients include peppered, bite size chunks of pork and pork ribs, cabbage, garlic cloves, soy sauce, herbal mixes, mushrooms and depending on demand and availability, internal organs such as liver and intestines. Basically a soup, Bak Kut Teh is eaten with rice and crispy crullers, a type of fried confection.
These are just a tiny sampling of the huge variety of dishes available locally, be aware that variations in the ingredients and preparation methods could occur from state to state and indeed from vendor to vendor. The most important thing to remember is to be open-minded and at least try before judging based on appearance or presentation. Both these characteristics tend to be somewhat overlooked in Malaysian foods.

Malaysia geography :

Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 329,750 sq km
land: 328,550 sq km
water: 1,200 sq km

Land boundaries: total: 2,669 km
border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km

Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)
Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate: Tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Terrain: Coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Elevation Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0m
Extremes: Highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m
Natural resources: Tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
Land use: arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 12%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 68%
Other: 17% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 2,941 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: Flooding, landslides
Environment – current issues: Air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires
Environment – international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Melayu Boleh

Geography – note: Strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea

Currently comprising roughly half the 22 million Malaysian population, the Malay Melayu Boleh people can be found virtually everywhere in the country though they are less concentrated in East Malaysia. In urban centers they are pervasive in all industries and businesses. The government in Malaysia is staffed predominantly by Malays and the Malays have held great political power ever since the country’s independence. In the countryside the Malay population is even more omnipresent, their villages or “kampungs” are scattered far and wide all across the Peninsula.

The Malay Kampung is a reflection of the Malay people, easy-going, warm and accommodating. The kampong is usually a homely and serene setting where everybody knows everybody and all members pitch in and contribute to their community. Traditionally farmers and fishermen, the Malay Melayu Boleh culture has always been intrinsically linked by a love of the land and a strongly devout belief in Islam. Thusly social norms or the “adat” of the Malay peoples emphasize good manners, family ties, tolerance and goodwill. The development of the nation has taken into consideration the somewhat deficient modern education level of the rural Malays and for the past few decades great changes have been made to remedy this with aid in the form of new schools, new infrastructure and subsidies for the lower income population.

Malays, no matter how well educated and urbanized to suit the breakneck speed of modern day life have always retained the traditions and beliefs of their forefathers. During any holiday, especially any of religious significance we still see a mass exodus called “Balik Kampung” or “Return to the Kampung”, when Malays working in the urban centers all return to their hometowns to reunite with their families and friends there. This phenomenon has now extended to all the races in Malaysia and during the main holidays, the huge celebrations of Hari Raya Puasa, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas, the cities, normally teeming with throngs of people turn into veritable ghost towns.

Being Muslim, the Malays Melayu Boleh strictly do not eat pork and only eat Halal (Food prepared in accordance to Islamic methods) food. They also observe daily prayers and more importantly the Friday prayers. During the month of Ramadan all Muslim observe a half day fast for the month leading to the celebrations of Hari Raya Puasa on the month of Syawal. All Muslims are expected, if at all possible, to conduct a pilgrimage called the “Hadj” to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lives.

Traditional garments for the Malay male compose the “Baju Melayu” and “Songket”, and on formal occasions “Batik” a colorful, silk garment with a brilliant floral motif is usually worn. “Songkok” a hat, which somewhat resembles a Turkish Tarbush is also sometimes worn. For the female the “Baju Kurung” and the more formal “Baju Kebaya” are commonly worn, many Malay women also wear a “Tudung” a religious headdress that covers the hair, neck and shoulders but leaves the face visible. As with everybody else in Malaysia western attire is just as commonly worn.

It should be noted that a dress code for Malaysia, though not a strict rule should be adhered to in any public place, being an Islamic nation, a “decent” appearance is highly desirable, provisions are made for the tropical weather but being too scantily clad is generally frowned upon, especially if one is visiting a mosque or any other place of worship. A tee shirt with jeans or Bermudas is quite acceptable.

Traditionally Malay celebrations are community affairs where the people of the village gather together with the womenfolk responsible for the cooking, the men for the preparation of the venue and decorations, and the children for having a good time. Celebrations that are not strictly religious; such as the harvest festival, are still accompanied by prayers conducted by the local religious leader. Typically, depending on which state one is in, the celebration may consist of dances such as the “Joget” or the “Kuda Kepang”, “Mak Yong” opera, “Dikir Barat” performances, “Gasing” or top spinning spectacles or the most famous, “Wau” or giant kite flying competitions, accompanied without fail by large amounts of food and drink. In the cities the celebrations are usually conducted by organizations, companies or government bodies and held at select venues where the public at large is invited for a huge party.

In a nutshell the Malay Melayu Boleh culture is a blend of traditional values, religious adherences and a modern outlook that has served to instill the Malays with integrity and piety while at the same time preparing them to face a new world and new challenges.