6 of Malaysia’s Weirdest Foods (That Will STILL Blow You Away!)
As a self-proclaimed foodie, part of the job is to step out of my comfort zone every once in a while and Malaysia is a good place for that. The country doesn’t fall short of exotic dishes that may look bizarre at first glance but are actually mind-blowingly delicious.
Whether it be unique dishes in Petaling Jaya like yong tau foo or exotic street foods in one of Kuala Lumpur’s many night markets, I’ve tried them all. And just because you were kind enough to click on this blog, I’m going to share all my favourites with you!
So get ready to open your minds and prepare your tastebuds (and stomach) for Malaysia’s weirdest foods you NEED to try!
Bull Penis Soup – Sup Hameed
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Address: 48, Jln Penang, George Town
Contact details: +60 4-222 8222
Operating hours: Daily from 7:30 AM to 3:00 AM
Cost: $
Woah don’t click out just yet! As crazy as its name may sound, bull penis soup is actually considered a delicacy in Malaysia and you’ll find it being served in various mamak stalls in the country.
It’s also famous because it’s believed to be an aphrodisiac. Now, we don’t know whether those claims are true or not but what we do know is that this dish is surprisingly good, mainly because of the flavourful broth!
This broth has been seasoned with a variety of aromatic ingredients like ginger, garlic and onion. As for the titular bull penis itself, it mostly tastes like beef, albeit a bit more gamy and chewy than your usual slab of steak.
Pro tip:
If you’re not ready to take on the sup torpedo yet but still want to try something unique, we recommend opting for their goat soup instead.
Chicken Feet – Dai Chi Dim
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Address: Lot 6. 01. 03, 168, Jln Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 3-2148 8108
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
When you think of feasting on some good old fried or rotisserie chicken, its feet may be the last thing you’d think of eating but trust us, you’re missing out big time. You don’t have to look further than KL’s Dai Chi Dim to find this out, as they offer an amazing dish.
It can be prepared in various dishes but there’s something about steamed chicken feet that’s super satisfying to eat. For starters, their chicken feet are so tender that you can debone the meat easily using your fork or even a pair of chopsticks!
Furthermore, it’s extremely flavourful thanks to the addition of red and green chillies into the mix—perfect for spice lovers! If you want our advice, we highly recommend dipping the feet in soy sauce to give it that added distinct flavour.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for something to pair with your chicken feet, we highly recommend ordering a bowl of their wonton noodles.
Sago Worms – Little Sulap Cafe
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Address: 3A, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu
Contact details: +60 11-6951 5441
Operating hours: Daily from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
They may not seem like it at first but sago worms are actually considered delicacies in Malaysia Before anything else, let’s get one thing straight; yes they’re clean compared to worms like maggots because they only feed on sago pith, a type of starch.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s move on to its flavours! A lot of people claim it tastes like bacon, which we can totally get behind but personally, we think that it gives off a more coconut-y taste.
Some places serve them raw but we prefer having them alongside fried rice, which is why we recommend getting them at Little Sulap Cafe in Kota Kinabalu. On a side note, if you’re trying to build muscle, this is a great dish to eat because of its high protein levels!
Pro tip:
While you’re in Little Sulap, we highly recommend getting their “latok”, also known as grape seaweed. It provides a fresh balance to the sago worms—plus, they provide various health benefits like promoting good digestive health.
Stinky Tofu – Uncle
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Address: Lrt Station Wangsa Maju, Desa Setapak, 53300 Kuala Lumpur
Contact details: +60 11-6951 5441
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM
Cost: $
We hate to break it to you but stinky tofu does live up to its name, as you can sense its presence miles away while it’s being prepared by the famous Uncle stall. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it!
It’s definitely an acquired taste because of its distinct flavour, but once some chillies are thrown into the mix, you’ll understand how this became a sensation in mainland China. Paired with some cabbages, you have yourself a simple yet tasty street food!
In other places, stinky tofu can also be prepared by steaming. However, if it’s your first time trying this dish, we recommend opting for its deep-fried version, as it’s an easier entry to the flavour it holds.
Pro tip:
Do expect a long line when visiting Uncle because it’s almost always packed. Alternatively, you can also check out Chew Chew Chow Tofu Kepong if you want to enjoy this dish during the day.
Century Egg Latte – Kwong Cheung Loong Kopitiam Bar
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Address: 34-G, Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Contact details: +60 19-710 1582
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM
Cost: $$
Coffee lovers won’t be left out of the exotic food trip that awaits in Malaysia and it’s mainly thanks to the famous century egg latte. The beverage itself doesn’t look too bad, as the century egg in question is used as a garnish—think olives in a gin and tonic.
However, we must say that the two flavours don’t fit each other that well, as they belong on opposite sides of the spectrum. At the same time, we commend the cafe for producing such great brewed cafe latte and an authentic century egg.
Also, props to the cafe for offering other crazy beverage combinations like the fermented curd latte. Meanwhile, if you want to pair a pastry with your century egg latte, you can also get their fermented curd croissant!
Pro tip:
Take the train and drop off at the Stesen Monorel Medan Tuanku if you want to save money and avoid congested roads. From the station, you only have to walk for a couple of minutes to reach Kwong Cheung Loong Kopitiam Bar.
Bronok – Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang
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Address: Lot 2500, Jalan Pantai Cenang
Contact details: +60 4-952 5888
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Cost: $$$
Langkawi isn’t just home to the most beautiful beaches in Malaysia, but it also houses an underrated exotic dish called bronok. If at first, you mistake it for a bowl of slugs, we won’t blame you because it definitely looks like something out of muddy soil.
These creatures are a species of sea cucumber that’s found on Langkawi’s beaches. They’re cleaned thoroughly and mostly eaten raw so that the freshness doesn’t go away—plus, overcooking these creatures will cause them to melt.
In Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang, they’re served with tons of chillies as well as a side of lettuce to create a spicy and salty salad. Personally, we love eating it alongside a plate of rice (preferably garlic) to add some more flavour and carbs into the mix.
Pro tip:
While you’re here, be sure to check out Pantai Cenang, which is one of the country’s premier beaches. Here, you’ll get to enjoy pure white sand, beautiful cerulean waters and a boatload of fun water activities.