Be it a gastronomical adventure or just a tour for a street-style lunch then Bandung makes sure not to disappoint you! Each food item tastes unique and delicious. But more importantly, the street food in Bandung remains one of the best ways to get a glimpse of Sundanese cuisine! So, the top three dishes you got to try from Bandung’s street food joints during your trip.

Sampling the dishes in Bandung

1. Combro

Combro is a super-Sundanese-snack and is had with your afternoon tea. It contains grated cassava(root vegetable) as its main ingredient and made into medium-sized balls filled with oncom — a traditional fermented Indonesian staple food made with soybeans, similar to tempeh( a soy product like that of tofu). The oncom-filled balls are then deep fried until the outer part becomes brown and crispy. Chew it with green chillies and experience pure bliss!

2. Bakso Tahu Goreng

Popularly known as Batagor, Bakso Tahu Goreng simply refers to Indonesian fried meatballs and tofu. Batagor, primarily, means a fried tenggiri fish dumpling served as a snack with a mildly spicy and aromatic peanut sauce. Relish this Sundanese dish at any popular Batagor outlet in Bandung and you sure will keep coming back for more!

3. Nasi Timbel

Nasi Timbel is a rice dish similar to lontong(compressed rice cakes); wrapped inside the banana leaf and steamed (or sometimes barbecued) until the leaf produces a pleasant aroma. And then served with a variety of side dishes — including fried chicken or beef, duck egg, tofu, a traditional hot sauce, and a special raw vegetable salad called lalab. In the meanwhile, this dish perfectly qualifies for lunch or supper.

Opting for a tour guide from  Locaguide can ease down your hunt for the best street food in Bandung. He/She can not only show you the best places but will also tell you about the history and traditions associated with these lip-smacking Sundanese dishes.

The sublime taste of the dishes, the use of unique spices, the perfect balance of saltiness, sweetness and sourness — Bandung’s food streets have everything that will make your tummy rumble in happiness!

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A signature dish coming from the food-loving state of Penang, Char Kway Teow essentially is a stir-fried rice noodle. A dish tossed with seafood, eggs, Chinese sausages and bean sprouts. The characteristic features that make Char Kway Teow the nation’s favourite signify its distinctive flavours; a well-seasoned wok diffusing with the fresh ingredients and the smoky charred taste attributed to the extremely high temperatures cooked complements the dish perfectly.

More about Char Kway Teow

Mostly served among the labourers upon its first invention. The reason being its high-fat content providing the source of energy and nutrients. The fishermen and the farmers were the first to serve the dish as at the evening market. Meanwhile, this contributed to their source of income.

The locals believe, there is no better way to end a day than to indulge in a bowl of the piping hot flat rice noodles. The various flavours of spice and sweet with a hint of sour makes you naturally attracted to a bowlful of the stir-fried noodles. You may inadvertently indulge in a bit of overeating throughout your tour of Malaysia.

Found in almost every third stall in Penang, Char Kway Teow is a dish worth seeing during its preparations too! Prepared in single servings mainly, the rhythm the stall owners get into, almost synchronised dance-like rhythm sounds mesmerising. They further continue to get the “Wok Hei” seasoned perfectly; the rice noodles charred to a moist crunchy texture. Simultaneously ensuring the quantity of the rest of ingredients brings the whole dish and its exploding flavours together! You won’t mind waiting in the long queues usually found infront of the famous Char Kway Teow stalls.

Traditionally served on a banana leaf and eaten with chopsticks, Char Kway Teo is the perfect excuse to practice your chopstick skills and eat a sinful meal found at almost every corner in Penang. When planning your Penang itinerary, don’t forget to ask your local travel guide from Locaguide to take you to a few famous local haunts best known for serving the most authentic Char Kway Teow.

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Among other things, Ipoh is known as the hometown of the iconic OldTown white coffee of Malaysia. The Ipoh white coffee is nothing but lightly roasted coffee served with condensed milk, either hot or iced. The name comes from the light colour of the drink from its preparation. The drink is famous for its distinctive taste and aroma and is extremely popular among Malaysians in and outside Ipoh.

The Ipoh-style white coffee is an experience for the taste buds that you shouldn’t miss at any cost! Even if not a coffee drinker you need to try it at least once during your trip to Malaysia.

Sample at any OldTown White Coffee outlet

These days, Ipoh white coffee is available in several coffee shops in Malaysia, some dating back to old times and some contemporary. You may even find canned versions of it at convenience stores near you. But if you truly want to savour the authentic flavour, OldTown White Coffee is the perfect coffee shop to visit.

The best way to include this coffee shop in your itinerary would be to take a break during your city walk of Ipoh and stop by the flagship cafe for a snack and traditionally brewed white coffee. The coffee occurs slightly sweeter than regular coffee. Hot or iced, it makes up for a perfect drink while you explore the city of Ipoh. 

Usually crowded and thronged by locals, the OldTown White Coffee outlets possess a vibrant vibe. The staff makes sure that you have an experience that stands true to Malaysian hospitality. Take a break and enjoy your time while you stop by for a coffee and more.

While the coffee may seem too sweet for coffee connoisseurs, the experience of sipping on it may sound otherwise. This traditionally roasted and brewed white coffee at a vintage cafe is something everyone takes back with them from Malaysia. Make sure to add this to your itinerary so you can make one or multiple pitstops. Build a customised Ipoh itinerary on Locaguide and let Malaysia surprise you!

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After a day’s city tour and souvenir hunting, a bowl of soup is just what the soul demands. And when in Penang, nothing other than a bowl of steaming Asam Laksa will do! A fish and tamarind based soup with a touch of a sour aftertaste, it remains a local favourite of all time; right from when the Chinese immigrants moved to the island to this present day. Said to be a dish born out of the intermarriage of the Chinese and local Malays, it is a dish made for the soul.

The many versions of Asam Laksa

Ever since it featured in CNN’s top ten best food list, the dish inevitably remains on everyone’s must-try dishes. Made from poached and shredded mackerel, the sourness of the soup makes it the perfect “feel good” meal. The distinctive flavour attributes to the use of tamarind, lemongrass, chilli and galangal (Asian plant of ginger family) in the right quantities and mixtures. You can customise the soup as per your liking, from the variety of base ingredients used to garnishes. Also, adding a dollop of shrimp paste would do the trick to enhance the flavours a lot more.

The dish tantalises your taste buds with its tangy flavour. Priced low, Asam Laksa makes up a whole bunch of different versions you can try and experiment with. Meanwhile, a friendly little chat with the locals can get you close with the food culture of the locals. 

A local guide from Locaguide will ensure an experiment with the perfect meal to re-energise with, between shopping sprees. The guide will make you try more than just a single version of Asam Laksa during your tour of Malaysia. Take your guide’s help to find the local hole in the wall shops selling the most authentic version of this dish. The dish lets you take home food memories of a lifetime. Thus, sure to change your idea of soup noodles upon tasting the iconic Asam Laksa.

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A short drive from Kuching is the Sarawak Cultural Village. The famous cultural park offers an insight into the local lifestyle of tribes. The village showcases cultural elements from the various ethnic groups of Sarawak. Ranging from traditional houses, locals wearing ethnic attire etc, the park has a lot to offer for all age groups.

Things to do

The village staff here share stories and explain the way of life of the tribes as they welcome you into their homes. Explore their lifestyle and way of living as you walk around the village. In addition to houses, try your hand at hunting like the locals, or the blowpipes. Try to learn the local musical instruments and dance routines with the villagers. Furthermore, the cultural village offers many photo-worthy moments and dance performances. The experience they offer is something that will keep you talking about the troupe for days to come.

Activities in Sculpture park

You can spend the afternoon walking in the sculpture park and reflecting on the meaning of stone art. Afterward, sit around the waterfall watching a performance by the locals, as you sip on one of the local teas.

Meanwhile, if you prefer some activity, you can go kayaking in the stream that flows through the village. Also, spend time at the beach near the village, swimming in the warm water and working up an appetite.

Finally, a meal at one of the many restaurants will give you a chance to try the traditional dishes of the Sarawak tribes.

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No trip to Penang is complete without a walk through Gurney Drive Hawker Center. The place is overflowing with smells and flavours that is essentially the soul of Penang – its food! It is said to have the largest variety of local cuisine in one area. The Gurney Drive Hawker Center continues to remain the perfect place to mingle with the locals and try their dishes.

What is the Gurney Drive Hawker Center

The Gurney Drive hawker center serves like an open-air food mall. You pay as you order and the food is delivered to your table. Start at the juice stall and sip on the fresh juice as you pick and order from the various stalls. You’ll notice that the popular stalls usually have a wait in the queue policy while ordering. The stalls here sell everything — ranging from stir-fried noodles to assorted dumpling to desserts. Ais Kachang, a dessert made of shaved ice, red beans and a variety of toppings serves the perfect end. Perhaps a food court that leaves you sinfully full but positively satisfied without making a big hole in your wallet. 

A food lovers paradise

A foodie’s paradise, the hawker centre attracts even locals, not just tourists. A popular area especially during dinner time. Hence, better reach for an early dinner or you may end up hunting a seat for a long time. With at least hundreds of food stalls and numerous food options, it’s hard to run out of food options here. The clever serving size ensures you to try more than a couple of dishes. Thus, experiment with whatever catches your eye or tingles your nose, as you walk around. 

The best way to get a tour of this maze-like food market is with the help of a local travel guide. And that’s exactly where Locaguide will come to your rescue. Create an itinerary and book a guided tour of Penang with Locaguide, and get to explore places like Gurney Drive!

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The best way to explore Malaysia and its culture flows through the various cuisines available in the country. Over the years, each cuisine has adapted to the changing times and preferences. With a perfect blend of Malaysian and Chinese cuisines, Nyonya dishes remain a mouthwatering mix of zing, spice and fragrance. Thus, if you mean to visit Malacca then do try out some of these authentic dishes.

Laksa Nyonya

This makes for a tantalising dish consisting of soupy coconut curry served with noodles or vermicelli. As you tour the city of Malacca you will notice multiple variations of Laksa Nyonya. From the prefered meat to ingredients used to the ever-changing garnishes, the dish just keeps evolving. Its hint of sweetness and heavily spiced coconut gravy, the dish serves as a perfect meal to end your day. Hence, Laksa Nyonya truly signifies a food for the soul.

Ayam Pongteh

For a more wholesome meal try Ayam Pongteh, a traditional Peranakan dish. It will help you walk throughout the day and thus lets you explore the tourist spots around Malacca. Usually, its preparations start a day prior so as to help enhance its rich taste.

Ayam Pongteh forms for a satisfying stew of chicken and potato in a thick gravy base served with rice. Undoubtedly, a perfect dish to explore the food culture of Malacca.

Nyonya Cendol

No one can end their Malaysian holiday without trying the shaved ice, a dessert favourite among the locals. It contains green jelly-like rice noodles, creamy coconut milk and palm sugar syrup topped with red beans. The dish has a subtle smoky aftertaste and does not powerfully tastes sweet. This shaved ice dessert makes the weather of Malacca bearable and gives the perfect excuse to walk around. Thus, allowing you to explore more of the city as you devour on this delicious thirst quenching dessert.

The best way to get a taste of the local food in Malacca is to take a walk with a trusted local guide. With Locaguide’s travel expert you get a chance to hog around the city. The guide will take you to the best places and help you find those hidden eateries. So, on your trip to Malacca make sure not to miss the Nyonya food tour.

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Do you love experiencing the local culture when you visit a new country? If you do, then what better way to engage with the local community than through their food! Rest assured on your Indonesia tour because you get a wide variety of local food options to experience. The expansive food culture of Indonesia takes you on a gastronomic adventure. And Bintan Island stands no far behind in contributing to this experience. Ask your local guide for the meal everyone relishes and he/she remains bound to say ‘Nasi Padang’.

This Indonesian speciality is a style of steamed rice served with an array of pre-cooked dishes. True to its origin, these side dishes can vary from meat, fish, vegetables, and spicy sambals eaten with plain rice.

Experiencing Nasi Padang

A usual spread comprises of 12 dishes but you can also opt for a super lavish spread of 14 dishes. Defined through spices and a mix of local herbs, Nasi Padang remains one of the most flavourful and filling dishes. This seems as though Indonesia served to you on a plate. Most of the side dishes in Nasi Padang include curries but you get the option to add boiled dishes. The boiled dishes in a sambal base include deep fried seafood as well as grilled sides. Savour it best using hands and clean them with warm water and a slice of lime given at the end.

What better way to experience Indonesia than through its food along with the locals while discovering stories from the region. If you want to enjoy an authentic Nasi Padang during your stay, why not ask your local guide from Locaguide ? The guide will set it up for you. The unique flavour and assortment of dishes happen to leave you craving for more!

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Nasi Lemak sometimes referred to as the national dish of Malaysia, is an aromatic rice dish. Cooked in a base of coconut milk and pandan leaf, the dish is usually served piping hot. Featured in the Times Magazine as one of the top ten healthy breakfast dishes across the globe, it is a must-have when you visit Malaysia.

Culinary background of Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak became popular worldwide upon its mention in “The Circumstances of Malay Life”, a book by Sir Winstedt. The dish gets its name from the cooking method used and thus translates to creamy rice. While the preparation uses a traditional method, the difference in taste and aroma remain attributed to the use of Pandan leaves. The rice cooked in coconut milk continues to steam along with the knotted leaves of Pandan screwpine. Meanwhile, the leaves enhance the flavour and fragrance of the dish. Few recipes even involve the addition of spices such as ginger and herbs like lemongrass for a distinctive flavour.

How they serve it

Traditionally served with sambal, a hot spicy sauce, the dish comes with a variety of garnishes. The garnishes include cucumber slices, fried anchovies, crushed roasted peanuts and fried or boiled eggs. You can customise the dish on adding meat of your choice from — fried chicken (Ayam Goreng), fish, squid or cockles. Thus, many stalls or restaurants pre-pack portions of Nasi Lemak in banana leaves to serve them on the go.

Sometimes the best way to explore a city is through the eyes of a local guide. Opt for a guided city tour from Locaguide. The guide can take you to some of the best places that serve the authentic Nasi Lemak in Kuala Lumpur. Order a side of Malay-style fried chicken and a glass of chilled Milo for more awesome feels.

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