MALAYSIAN cuisine is ranked as the 39th best cuisine in the world, out of 95 countries in the TasteAtlas Award 2022 list, beating neighbouring Singapore, which sits at number 52.
Other neighbours — Indonesia and Thailand — are ranked at 16th and 30th, respectively.
With an average rating of 4.72, Italian cuisine tops the list, followed by Greek, Spanish, Japanese and Indian cuisine.
The list was determined by the average rating of the best-rated dishes, food and drinks from each country by the travel platform's readers.
Among the best rated local food is Malaysia's favourite breakfast staple, roti canai, which received a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
The list also provides some of the highly ranked restaurants that offer the best roti canai across the country which include Valentine Roti in Kuala Lumpur, I.V. Restaurant in Klang, Roti Canai TokBak in Johor Baru, Raju's Banana Leaf in Petaling Jaya and Nasi Kandar Pelita in Kuala Lumpur.
Besides the plain roti canai, roti pisang, which is a sweet version of roti canai with bananas as the star ingredient, is also mentioned and rated 4.3.
The sweet flatbread is typically grilled till golden brown and drizzled with condensed milk and dusted with sugar on top, and sliced into bite-sized pieces.
Among the top restaurants serving this sweet paratha are Valentine Roti and Nasi Kandar Pelita, as well as Sri Nirwana Maju that was recently rated as a Michelin Star selected restaurant in Malaysia.
In George Town, Restoran Wawasan Mutiara and Goodall Cafe are highly recommended.
Rated at 4.6 stars as one of the best rated dishes in Malaysia is karipap or curry puff — a small, deep-fried pastry shell filled with chicken and potatoes.
It is a popular breakfast and afternoon snack that can be found at numerous stores, bars and markets.
However, TasteAtlas has listed Homi Chicken Curry Puff in Petaling Jaya, Adam's Famous Chicken Curry Puff in George Town and Kampong Kravers Kuala Lumpur as favourites in Malaysia.
Of course, nasi lemak should not be left out as Malaysia's most famous dish. Consisting of rice cooked in coconut milk that is traditionally served with anchovies, cucumbers, peanuts and boiled eggs, the dish is rounded up with the addition of a spicy chilli paste called sambal.
Rated with 4.3 star, TasteAtlas recommends Madam Kwan's in Subang Jaya, Village Park Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock in Petaling Jaya, Ann Nasi Lemak in Kuala Lumpur as well as Mews Cafe in George Town for the best nasi lemak.
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