Malaysia’s Best Local Breakfast Foods and Where to Find Them
Breakfast is not called the most important meal of the day for nothing. In Malaysia, breakfast is not just a meal — it’s a reflection of the country’s cultural diversity. From spicy Malay rice dishes to comforting Chinese porridge and South Indian dosas, Malaysian breakfasts are as colourful and flavorful as the country itself.
Whether you’re visiting Malaysia for the first time or looking to rediscover the best of local breakfast culture, here are 20 must-try Malaysian breakfast dishes — and where to find the best versions of them across the country.
1. Nasi Lemak
Keyword: Nasi lemak breakfast Malaysia
Malaysia’s national breakfast dish, nasi lemak is a coconut milk-infused rice served with sambal, fried anchovies, boiled or fried egg, cucumber, and peanuts. Some versions add fried chicken or rendang for a heartier meal.
Where to try: Village Park Restaurant, Damansara Uptown
Price: RM2 – RM20 depending on portion and toppings
2. Nasi Kerabu
Keyword: Kelantan breakfast dish
Recognised by its striking blue rice from butterfly pea flowers, nasi kerabu is a Kelantanese dish served with herbs, salted egg, fried fish or chicken, and sambal.
Where to try: Kak Ma Nasi Kerabu (Kota Bharu), Kesom Café (Petaling Jaya)
3. Kaya Toast, Half-Boiled Eggs & Kopi
Keyword: Malaysian kopitiam breakfast
This kopitiam classic includes charcoal-grilled toast with kaya (coconut jam), soft-boiled eggs, and strong local coffee or tea.
Where to try: Yut Kee Kopitiam (Kuala Lumpur), Transfer Road Roti Bakar (Penang)
4. Tosai (Dosa)
Keyword: Indian breakfast Malaysia
A South Indian staple, this paper-thin rice crepe is usually served with dhal, coconut chutney, or sambar.
Where to try: Chat Masala Restaurant, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur
5. Roti Canai
Keyword: roti canai breakfast Malaysia
This flaky, crispy flatbread is a Mamak favourite served with dhal or curry. It comes plain or with fillings like egg, cheese, or sardine.
Where to try: Valentine Roti, Kuala Lumpur | Most local Mamak stalls
6. Dim Sum
Keyword: halal dim sum Malaysia
Steamed and fried Cantonese-style snacks like siu mai, har gow, and chee cheong fun served in bamboo baskets with hot tea.
Where to try: Foo Hing Dim Sum (Puchong), Dolly Dim Sum (Halal)
7. Yong Tau Foo
Keyword: Yong Tau Foo breakfast
Tofu, vegetables, and fish balls stuffed with fish paste and served in clear soup or with sauces.
Where to try: Foong Foong Restaurant (Ampang), Puchong Batu 14 stalls
8. Bak Kut Teh
Keyword: Klang bak kut teh breakfast
A herbal pork bone soup rich in flavour and often served with rice, tofu puffs, and yau char kwai.
Where to try: Under The Bridge Bak Kut Teh (Klang)
9. Noodle Soups
Keyword: Malaysian noodle breakfast
A wide variety of soupy noodles like curry mee, soto, wantan mee, and fish noodle soup — perfect for a nourishing breakfast.
Where to try: Local hawker centres in Penang, Ipoh, and KL
10. Laksa Perlis
Keyword: Perlis traditional laksa
A northern-style laksa with fish-based gravy, served with ulam and kuih spera or pulut udang.
Where to try: Laksa Kak Su, Kuala Perlis
11. Porridge (Congee)
Keyword: Chinese porridge breakfast Malaysia
Rice porridge served plain or with toppings like shredded chicken, century egg, or fried shallots.
Where to try: Hon Kee Famous Porridge (Petaling Street), Teochew Lao Er (Pudu)
12. Char Kuey Teow & Mee Goreng
Keyword: Char Kuey Teow breakfast Penang
Wok-fried rice noodles or yellow noodles with seafood, eggs, bean sprouts, and dark soy sauce.
Where to try: Lorong Selamat (Penang), Brickfields hawker stalls (Kuala Lumpur)
13. Lontong
Keyword: lontong Malaysia breakfast
Compressed rice cubes in a creamy turmeric coconut broth with vegetables, sambal, tempeh, and sometimes fried beef lung.
Where to try: Chawan, Bangsar
14. Teh Tarik, Milo, Cham
Keyword: Malaysian breakfast drinks
Malaysia’s signature drink, “pulled tea” or teh tarik, is frothy and sweet. Locals also love Milo, kopi (coffee), and cham (tea-coffee blend).
Where to try: Any Mamak stall or kopitiam
15. Soto Noodles Sabah
Keyword: Sabah beef noodle soup
A clear beef broth with rice vermicelli, spices, and toppings. A comforting Sabah breakfast choice.
Where to try: Happy Muslim Restaurant (Kota Kinabalu), Yuan Yuan (Tawau)
16. Chee Cheong Fun
Keyword: chee cheong fun Penang
Steamed flat rice rolls topped with sweet sauce, chilli, or prawn paste and sesame seeds.
Where to try: Outside Seow Fong Lye Café, Macalister Lane (Penang)
17. Yau Char Kwai (You Tiao)
Keyword: Yau Char Kway breakfast Malaysia
Chinese deep-fried dough sticks, often dipped into porridge, soy milk, or served with bak kut teh.
Where to try: Local wet markets or kopitiams
18. Nasi Dagang
Keyword: Nasi dagang Terengganu breakfast
A blend of white rice and glutinous rice served with tuna curry and pickled vegetables.
Where to try: Mak Ngah’s Stall (Kampung Bukit), Kak Pah’s (Batu Buruk Food Court)
19. Fish Noodles (Sabah)
Keyword: fish noodles Sabah breakfast
Noodle soup with fresh fish chunks in clear or milky broth, served with tofu, preserved veggies, and tomato.
Where to try: Jong Fa Pai (Kota Kinabalu), Wan Wan outlets (Halal)
20. Sarawak Laksa
Keyword: Sarawak laksa breakfast
Rice vermicelli in a spiced coconut broth with prawns, chicken strips, egg, and sambal. Famously described by Anthony Bourdain as the “Breakfast of the Gods.”
Where to try: Mom’s Laksa (Halal), Choon Hui Café, Chong Choon Café (Kuching)
Final Thoughts
Malaysian breakfasts are not only tasty and diverse, but they also tell stories of heritage, migration, and community. From roadside stalls in Kelantan to urban kopitiams in Kuala Lumpur, every dish connects people to their roots and neighbours.
So, whether you like your breakfast spicy, soupy, sweet, or fried — Malaysia has something just for you.
