Benjamin Franklin said it best, “by failing to prepare, you are preparing yourself to fail”. Truth is, there are many thoughts in our mind before we go fishing.
“Will the fish bite today?
Did I bring my favourite lure?
Will I arrive on time?”
One area anglers tend to overlook is a good, hearty breakfast to pack all the energy we need for a whole day of fishing. A winning breakfast could result in a winning catch!
Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, converging together to create a unique Malaysian identity. Naturally, this variety overflows into our local fare. So here are five Malaysian breakfast dishes that are available almost everywhere in Kuala Lumpur (and Malaysia, in general) that you should try to get your hands on.
Nasi Lemak
I think it would be a crime not to start off the list with Malaysia’s national food: Nasi Lemak. Literally translated to ‘fatty rice’, the nasi lemak – at its most basic – is a rice dish cooked in coconut milk with pandan (screw pine) leaves, ginger, onion, and aromatic spices thrown in the mix, which produces its distinct aroma that is sure to gather a crowd.
It is served together with a side of fried anchovies and roasted peanuts together with a sweet and spicy Sambal sauce. The dish also goes well with other proteins such as fried chicken, beef Rendang (another must try dish), and even seafood.
Nasi Lemak can be bought from most Malaysian street food vendors for as cheap as RM1 per packet and if you’re feeling adventurous, Kampung Baru’s Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa is your best bet to pack you all the energy you need to go out there with your fishing rods for the day.
Address: 4, Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Roti Canai
Just like Nasi Lemak, the Roti Canai is another dish suitable to be eaten at any time of the day despite originally starting off as breakfast food.
Simply put, Roti Canai is an Indian-styled flatbread served with a side of Curry and Dhal sauce. If you are not in the mood for anything spicy or savoury, then you could opt for the sweeter variants of the bread such as Roti Milo (chocolate powder), Roti Bom (sugar and margarine), or Roti Pisang (banana).
For less than RM5, you can head over to any Mamak (Indian Muslim) restaurants to indulge in the dish. But if you’re looking for one of the best, then Mansion Tea Stall in KL City Center is the one for you!
Address: Mansion Tea Stall, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Kopitiam
Kopitiam is a combination of the Malay word kopi (coffee) and the Hakka term tiam (shop). Having been around since the 1920’s, as the name implies, kopitiam is the traditional Malaysian Chinese Café.
The breakfast food served in Kopitiams are often light Chinese dishes such as Hokkien Mee (noodle with prawn broth), Bao, and local toast with Kaya (coconut jam) and warm butter.
What I highly suggest is to order local toast with half-boiled eggs, pour some soy sauce and a dash of white pepper on it like the locals do, then wash it all down with a warm cup of locally roasted white coffee.
Try them out in the historic Luckin Kopi right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Address: 14, Jalan Panggong, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan
Nasi Kak Wok
Malaysians LOVE big meals and Nasi Kak Wok is a prime example of our love for it even at breakfast.
Picture this: fluffy rice, generous amount of turmeric fried chicken, a dollop of spicy Sambal sauce and curry gravy, always packed to go and never on a plate. All for as low as RM 4.50!
Tell you what… Here’s a picture.
A word of caution for those who are not a fan of fiery meals, this one packs a kick, one that may just be worth enduring for its taste.
If you’re around Ampang, do head over to Nasi Kak Wok Cikgu Sue to get your Nasi Kak Wok fix!
Address: Jalan Kolam Air Lama, Taman Dato Ahmad Razali, 68000 Ampang, Selangor
Thosai
It would not be a complete Malaysian breakfast list without Thosai. Similar to the Roti Canai above, a Thosai is a type of Indian pancake made from rice flour and eaten together with a side of Curry, Dhal, and Coconut Chutney.
It has a distinct sour taste produced by the fermentation in the rice flour and is often served on a large South-Indian styled Thali plate (yes, this dish can be very huge).
You could also try different variants of the Indian pancake such as the crispier and crustier Paper Thosai and Masala Thosai (curried potato filling).
Just like Roti Canai, Thosai is available in Mamak or South Indian restaurants. You could try out the ones in Pelita Nasi Kandar restaurant, which has many outlets throughout Kuala Lumpur and beyond.
Address: 149, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Whether you are coming down to Kuala Lumpur to fish with us or to see the many beautiful sights, be sure not to miss out on these cheap yet delicious dishes whilst you are here!
Prepared by Syahmie Fayyadh Jaafar
The Milkfish Lady Official Website 