15 Popular Malaysian food & Health Benefits
There are numerous healthy delicacy in Malaysia, even though they are not getting much global acceptance they deserves.
Housing various incredible foods in the world, Malaysia food is heavily influenced by India, Chinese and malay.
If you ever happen to find yourself invited to a meal by Malaysian, you can expect numerous dishes such as Nasi Lemak, Satay, Roti Canai, Mee Goreng among others laid out on a big platters.
The most common ingredients are chicken, beans sprouts, herbs, garlic, turmeric, saffron, and cardamom.
Let’s explore 15 Popular Malaysian food & Health Benefits
1. Nasi Lemak
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Nasi Lemak is loved mostly when you eat it with side dish like fried chicken or spicy meat dish. The popular dish is seen as a healthy food.
Although it houses fragrance coconut rice, spicy sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, boiled egg, cucumber as well.
There are nutrients such as protein, iron, selenium, zinc, copper, dietary fiber, fat, vitamin C, vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, quercetin, lycopene, caroteneoid.
2. Satay
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A popular food consists of grilled meat mix with an aromatic spices to boost its flavour and nutritional profile.
Even though Malaysians eat satay with a peanut sauce does not make it much more enjoyable than when you consume it with cucumber and rice cake.
Another benefit people derived from eating satay is nutrients like protein, dietary fiber, iron, selenium, zinc, copper, B vitamins, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, antioxidant among others.
3. Char Kway Teow
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This is a traditional food that is eaten either at breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on the individuals preference.
Things needed to prepare char Kway Teow are noodles, shrimp, cockles, bean sprouts, eggs and soy sauce. When cooked, it offers a smoky and savory flavor
Char Kway Teow contains protein, dietary fiber, vitamins A, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, fat, zinc, vitamin E, carbohydrates and potassium.
4. Laksa
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Whether you are a fan of Asam Laksa or curry laksa, they consists of noodles fish, shrimp, spices vegetables, and a flavorful broth.
These ingredients enable your body obtain some crucial nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, fat, carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, zinc.
5. Roti Canai
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A popular dish that could be eaten as a snack or a side dish. It is a nutritious flatbread and believed to originated from Indian.
Roti Canai has reasonable amounts of calories, vitamins, minerals and fat
6. Hainanese Chicken Rice
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Even though it is commonly eaten in Malaysia, Hainanese Chicken rice is believed to have been originated from China.
It contains poached chicken served with rice prepared in chicken broth.
Hainanese chicken rice is often eaten with chili sauce, ginger paste, and sometimes cucumber slices.
7. Mee Goreng
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A popular food in Malaysia, consists of noodles, shrimp, tofu, bean sprouts, as well as different sauce and spices.
A serving of mee Goreng provides protein, fat, dietary fiber, antioxidant, minerals and vitamins to the body.
8. Rendang
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Another popular dish in Malaysia, loaded an amazing nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, fat soluble vitamins, selenium, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, antioxidant.
Rendang is made from beef or chicken, coconut milk, and spices. Rendang goes with steamed rice.
9. Cendol
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This a dessert cooked with coconut milk, shaved ice, palm sugar syrup, and green jelly noodles(cendol). It is a traditional dish that is typically consumed in Malaysia and some other Asian countries.
10. Banana Leaf Rice
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This is a traditional dish, served on a large banana leaf. The leaf houses rice, several dishes, pickles, rasam, various curries and papadam.
Consume substantial amount may offer you carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals.
11. Curry Laksa
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Curry laksa is also refers as curry me; made from yellow noodles, rice vermicelli, or white laksa noodles.
People often enjoy curry laksa with hard-boiled egg beans sprouts as well as tofu.
It is endowed with numerous nutrients such riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, zinc, carbohydrates, protein.
12. Otak-Otak
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This is a popular grilled fish cake in Malaysia. Some of the important ingredients include chili, turmeric and lemongrass.
However, the presence of these ingredients help supply vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, iron, potassium, caroteneoid, flavonoids, quercetin.
These are essential nutrients required for effective functions of the body.
13. Pisang Goreng
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A traditional snack commonly serves in Malaysia homes and restaurants. It is also refers as banana fritters, though it has a sharp sweet taste.
14. Ayam percik 
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It’s actually a grilled chicken, consists of spicy chili, garlic and ginger sauce mixed with coconut milk. These ingredients enable your body obtain essential nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, iron, selenium, zinc, vitamin C, calcium.
15. Nasi kandar
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This is a popular rice dish eating with various toppings like curry, fish, egg and okra.
Apart from energy generation, it’s support our immune system, promote growth and overall well-being of the body.
15 Malaysia popular food Health Benefits
Diabetic control: Nutritionists often make emphasizes on large intake of foods rich in dietary fiber, low caloric foods, and low glycemic foods in order to slow rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Excessive blood sugar is a risk factor of diabetes, thanks to some Malaysia foods that are of low glycemic.
Support immune system: Make sure you consume those Malaysia foods that are rich in protein, dietary fiber, iron, vitamin E, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, carbohydrates, vitamin A, vitamin C. These nutrients are known for immune Boosting.
Promote heart health: Malaysian foods are loaded with essential nutrients such as omega- 3 fatty acids, omega- 6- fatty acids, low calories, no fat and cholesterol.
It is scientifically proven that these nutrients are very significant in sustaining and dealing with all kinds of cardiac problems such as stroke or heart attack.
Fish, an ingredients found Malaysia foods helps control blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Maintains Eye Health: Deficiency of vitamin A, lead to several eye defects, muscular degeneration, cataract, night blindness, and among many others.
These can be fixed and prevented by intake of Malaysia foods since they contain Beta-carotenoid, a precursor of vitamin A.
Studies have shown that intake of some popular Malaysian foods may reduce progression of glaucoma.
Cancer prevention: Ingredients such as carrot, garlic, turmeric, saffron, cardamom, bean sprouts may help reduce cancer progression owing to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Malaysian dishes are healthy.
They offer wide range of health benefits include cancer prevention, maintains Heart Health, support immune system.
15 Popular Malaysian food & Health Benefits: cendol, Otak-Otak,Curry Laksa, Mee Goreng, Banana Leaf Rice among others.
