Every once in a while on a tour I get the odd question, based on what I call global rumors. One such question and rumor is: Do Malaysians eat dog meat?
Although not illegal in Malaysia, the short answer is — no. Malaysians do not eat dog (or cats). This is a major misconception since dogs and cats can at times be found on the menu in other Asian countries like China, South Korea, and Viet Nam.
However, there are a few what many would call exotic and other call just plain strange, foods in Malaysian cuisine.
Here are some examples:
Frog on a Stick
Frog legs aren’t that strange to Westerners and are even quite common in Chinese cuisine, such as frog leg porridge, but the whole frog?
In a well-known night market called Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur, there’s a stall there that serves the whole frog battered and deep fried on a stick. Add a little chili powder on top to kick it up a notch. It’s not easy being green.
Bull Penis Soup
I have to be honest. Some of the dishes on this list I have eaten and enjoyed and some I have not. I suppose it’s mostly psychological. But this is one I had to try.
And it’s delicious. The dish is called Sup Torpedo and the bull penis is the star. The broth is like a curry and it’s served with Indian spices. Sup Torpedo is said to work wonders for male virility. In some places, you can request the testicles as well, if you are hungry enough.
Porcupine Rendang
Rendang is a spicy meat dish that originates in the Malay archipelago. It’s prepared by stir-frying meat in a spice paste with coconut milk, lemongrass and tamarind.
Mainly made with beef, there is one place in Selangor that has taken Rendang to a new level. They are using porcupine meat.
I’ve never made it out there to try it, but reports tell me it’s a little on the chewy side, however, the spices and preparation take away any of the gamey flavors it may have.
Sago Grubs
Yup, grubs. Mainly a delicacy in Sabah and Sarawak, many Malaysians don’t even have the courage to twist the heads off these live, squirming worms and pop them in their mouths. But don’t worry, if eating them live is not your thing you can find them cooked in various ways. Stir fry is the most common.
Truth be told, these little guys are packed with vitamins and minerals and are actually a healthier choice than chicken or beef.
No one ever said eating healthier was easy, right?
Chicken feet
As far as weird may go, this one is actually pretty tame and I snack on these all the time. They can be prepared many ways and eaten the same as you would chicken wings.
Next time you sit down for a Chinese Dim Sum lunch, try a plate of hot and tasty braised chicken feet.
Fried Pigs Brains
The smooth, custard flavor of these normal-looking meatballs is definitely an acquired taste. This is a specialty item that I have only seen in a select few places.
Cow’s Lung
Internal organs seem to be a hit in South East Asian countries, and Malaysia fits right in there. It’s not particularly a bad thing when you consider that it’s better than letting it go to waste.
Cow’s lung is a popular dish commonly called paru or paru Goreng. It is cow lung, brushed with seasoning then fried and goes great with nasi (rice).
Crispy Honey Bees
This is one that shocked me more than the Sago grubs. But when you stop and think about the nutritional value and can get past the psychological barriers, it makes sense to give these a try.
Honey bees and larvae are either fried or sautéed and then served up as a snack. They taste a lot like chicken, or so I am told.
So Malaysians may not eat dogs, but they do have some dishes that make their way onto the “strange” list. At least by Western opinions. There are a lot more dishes, like sup gearbox, satay parut and liver satay that are weird and phenomenal that I’ll discuss in a later article.
Did I miss any dish you enjoyed on your visit to Malaysia? Or anything that shocked you even more than the above? Let me know in the comments below.
All this effort does pay off beautifully at the end when you bite into an incredibly rich and flavourful dessert that’s as popular with adults as it is with children. Doldol can also be found in durian, soursop, apple, jackfruit, and milk flavours.
Interestingly, rendang contains natural preservatives due to its recipe which calls for a unique fusion of ground spices and coconut milk, which gives the dish a shelf life up to four weeks.
Lontong
Lontong is a combination of nasi impit, vegetables and meat, served together with a savory coconut milk base. Lotong can be eaten as a full meal since it has everything included in it.
Depending on the region it’s prepared in, there are several variations. Some cooks include peanuts in the gravy while others add tempeh or a hard-boiled egg. The bright orange coconut soup is usually served separately from the ingredients to avoid softening the rice cakes.
Serunding
This is a popular snack during Hari Raya and it’s a must try in my opinion. Its what we call a “meat floss” and can be made from any meat like beef, chicken, anchovy, prawn, and fish. The meat is seasoned and cooked until dry, sort of like a way to preserve it.
It can be eaten in many different ways too like a filling for pastries, on a bun or even as a burger.
Sayur Lodeh
Sayur Lodeh originated in Indonesia, but has made its way into Malaysia and we accepted with open arms. A great Hari Raya tradition, this is a hearty coconut stew made with a variety of vegetables like eggplant, green beans and long beans to name a few. It can also have tofu, temph or really anything the cook likes.
Sometimes tumeric can find its way into the dish so if you see a version that has a yellow tint to it, don’t be alarmed. It’s just a little extra flavor. Go for it.
Kuih-muih
What can I say about Kuih-muih? If you are into desserts and sweets as much as I am, you are going love this traditional, sugary Malay dessert. This is almost an unlimited collection of bite sized biscuits, cakes and jellies with an astounding array of flavors. Kids go crazy for them.
Asam Pedas
If a spicy tart fish stew sounds good to you (it does to me) then you will have to try Asam Pedas. This is a dish that is mainly found in homes on the Hari Raya table, however some restaurants will serve it during celebration time.
Again this is a stew that slow cooks for a long time as the broth and spices seep into the meat and you end up with a delicious meal.
Satay
Now satay is something can be found normally year round. Why si it on this list? Satay is meat on a stick (chicken, beef, lamb), grilled over charcoal to perfection and served with pineapple or sliced cucumbers and a spicy peanut sauce. Need I say more?
This is actually very popular during Hari Raya since it’s a great accompaniment to lumbong or ketupat.
The above list is just a sampling of some of the traditional foods you’ll find during Hari Raya month. If you are fortunate to be invited into a Muslim home to celebrate with them, they may have other family traditional dishes as well. Keep in mind, that even though the food is delicious and a lot of work goes into it, the food is only the medium to bringing families together during this celebration.
Enjoy Hari Raya As A Tourist
There are so many ways besides food to enjoy the month of Hari Raya as a tourist. Here are a few to think about.
Open House
A favorite way of many of our tourists is to get invited to an open house to experience first hand how to celebrate alongside a Muslim family and indulge in all the delicacies. It’s not difficult to make amazing Muslim friends in Malaysia and in their faith they do receive extra blessings for inviting a foreigner into their homes for food and celebration.
Even our government organizes a National Open House for the public to come and enjoy the food.
Shopping
Hari Raya is a time for new clothes and dressing to impress. As a tourist, you can definitely take advantage of the incredible savings during Hari Raya sales. So if you are visiting this time of the year, make sure to leave some space in your suitcase for what you will bring home.
More about Hari Raya (and tips on celebrating with the Muslims)
- Hari Raya lasts for the whole month
- Hari Raya Eidulfitri and Hari Raya Aiduladha is not the same celebration
- It’s rude to eat or drink while standing up
- Guys don’t shake hands with ladies in the house
- There are no strict rules on gifting
- Inauspicious colours are not a thing
- Don’t visit houses after 9 pm unless you are invited.
The celebration marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and is a culmination of the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state. Ramadan holds special significance for Muslims, since the Quran, the book of Muslim scripture, was revealed during this month.
Fireworks are always a part of Hari Raya which can be both fun and dangerous. In some places fireworks have been banned, but there are always some around to get the real feel for Hari Raya.
Since it is a season of giving, you may hear about or encounter (or even get one yourself!) a “green packet”. These little packets are tokens given by the older generation to the young singles around them. What’s inside? Joy. It could be cash or some other trinket to bring luck and happiness.
Even though Hari Raya is a celebration, it still hold a special significance to the Muslim community and they take it just as seriously as they do with Ramadan. Charity is openly practiced especially on the last day of Ramadan and all through Hari Raya you can see families giving food and money to the poor or even inviting them into their homes so they can all celebrate together. Come and visit us in Malaysia during Hari Raya and you will surely get invited. Let’s eat!
