Anything revolving around world street food is of great interest to the global gourmands. While everyone has their own pick from various delectable items dished out on the streets across the world, travel guide — Taste Atlas — has come up with a Top 50 list in this category. It’s not surprising that a seemingly humble yet flavourful dish from the streets of Malaysia — roti canai bags the number one title of best street food followed by lumpiang Shanghai from the Philippines and the Japanese karaage.
More about roti canai and other top dishes
What is roti canai and why is it the best street food?
As the name suggests, roti canai is a flatbread packed with the goodness of eggs and essential fat from the Indian clarified butter, ghee. It has an outer texture of a flaky pastry but is soft and wholesome on the inside. This can be enjoyed on its own or with a spicy curry of one’s choice. That is how it is usually served on the streets. If you are not a fan of spicy, savoury food, this versatile dish is served with sweet fillings too, by the street vendors commonly known as the mamaks.
Image: Courtesy Indradi Soemardjan/ CC BY 2.0/ via Wikimedia Commons
The dish was brought to Malaysia by Indian migrants in the 1800s and had a very humble start as it was a staple enjoyed by the labourers. Its versatility, simplicity and wholesomeness make it popular as a street food.
The top 5 street food dishes are Asian
Image: Courtesy Arnold Gatilao/ CC BY 2.0/ via Wikimedia CommonsThe Filipino lumpiang Shanghai has been ranked the second-best street food in the world for all the right reasons. This deep-fried party snack takes inspiration from Chinese spring rolls but it is prepared by adding flavours from pork, beef or shrimp and is served with a sweet and sour sauce.
The Japanese karaage comes in the top three street food items solely for its technique which involves keeping the outer cover of the chicken (which is the main ingredient of this dish) crispy and juicy, while it is tender on the inside. The Japanese coat bits of chicken in arrowroot powder before frying and serving with a seasoning of ginger and garlic, topped with a generous helping of soy sauce.
Keeping this list in the picture, it can be safely said that Asian dishes are amongst the most popular street foods consumed on the go or as a festive, party snack in the world.
Affordable and packed with nutrients, next up on this list is a loaded sandwich from Vietnam, bánh mì. A delectable takeaway from colonialism, the French baguette is used as a base to stuff meat, fresh vegetables, choicest spices and pickles to make this wholesome snack.
Ramadan is a time of celebration and giving. It is a time when Muslims come together to break their fast and spend time with family and friends. If you are looking for some great places to celebrate Ramadan in Johor Bahru, check out our list of the 5 Best Ramadan Bazaars and Eateries in Johor Bahru!
1. S’MART Pandan Bazaar Ramadan
The S’MART Pandan bazaar ramadan in JB is the largest and most energetic market in Johor Bahru, and it is set to be a much bigger occasion than usual this year with over 200 food stalls on offer.
The list includes Nasi Arab, Ikan Bakar, Satay, Roti John, Nasi Kerabu, Apam Balik, a slew of kuihs, and much more.
Apart from the meals, S’Mart Pandan’s Ramadan bazaar also features stalls selling clothing and accessories to assist you choose your finest Raya outfit. Baju kurung , kebaya, baju Melayu, and even children’s clothing are available for purchase. Eat while you shop!
Key Differentiators:
Over 200 outlets
Eat and shop
Mouth-watering street food
2. Tebrau Food Truck Park
Are you tired of eating in restaurants all the time? Change things up with an interesting al fresco dining concept – a food truck park in Tebrau, located on Desa Tebrau. This food truck park has over 10 food trucks selling everything from snacks to hearty meals.
A hot plate of nasi goreng udang, served with a fiery sambal on the side, or a hearty bowl of mee bakso are two delicious ways to warm up.
The D’Papas’ burger, Leleh, is a juicy beef patty topped with melted cheese and chili sauces oozing out of the burger. For sweets, try the Milo shaved ice dessert from Manggai, which includes a Kinder Bueno stick.
Key Differentiators:
Al fresco dining concept
Over 10 food trucks selling
An assortment of snacks and satisfying meals
3. The J Seri Alam
Make your way to The J at Seri Alam, a modern container-themed food court in Johor. Tuck into a wide range of cuisines, from Western cuisine to the traditional Asian foods, at this 16 restaurant complex under one roof.
Savor the Nasi Kandar from Selera Kampung or enjoy the Naan with mozzarella cheese from Naseeb Capati. Fresh seafood is available at Shell’AllOut for those who adore it.
Bakso Beranak is a delicious meal that includes bite-size bakso and eggs stuffed in a large meatball. During dinner, this outdoor dining experience also shows movies, so you can enjoy your supper while watching the newest dramas.
Key Differentiators:
New container themed-food court
16 different eateries under the same roof
Alfresco dining experience
4. Taman Suria Johor Bahru
The Bazaar Ramadan experience is a sensory delight with the excitement of belonging. Taman Suria bazaar Ramadan has multiple food stalls, including ayam golek – chicken marinated in traditional spices and grilled over charcoal fire.
Highlights include kambing golek, grilled fish and snapper dishes, murtabak sandwiches, and a variety of other foods. There are also some stalls selling nasi lemak rice cakes, as well as cookies such as putu bambu – rice flour stuffed with palm sugar and steamed in bamboo.
If you want to sample Malaysia’s rich street food culture, there is no better location than the yearly Ramadan bazaar.
Key Differentiators:
Traditional Malay and Halal dishes at the same place
Flavors of the delicious food
Feeling the spirit of the community
5. Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort
This year, Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort is bringing back a blast from the past, when you can relive cherished memories of your mother’s home-cooked meals during Ramadan.
Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort offers a delicious assortment of more than 100 dishes with a nostalgic flavor. Make sure to bring a hungry stomach!
Key Differentiators:
Experience fond memories of mum’s home-cooked food
Spacious and safe open-air dining environment
Ramadan buffet entails a delectable spread of more than 100 dishes featuring a nostalgic groove
Ramadan Bazaar and Eatery Johor Bahru
Ramadan Bazaar and Eatery Johor Bahru is the perfect place to enjoy delicious traditional Malay and Halal dishes. With a wide variety of food options available, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this bazaar. The festive atmosphere makes it the perfect destination for those looking to celebrate Ramadan in style.
Since you have made it to the end, it would be great if you could check out the awesome articles that we have written for you! Maybe, it will help you add more fun to your daily lifestyle.
It is filled with your choice of ingredients such as Nyonya curry chicken, sweet corn, chicken sausage or crabstick with drizzles of mayonise, cheese and bbq sauce.
Price
RM4 per stick or RM10 for 3 sticks
2. Grilled Oysters
These half shell fresh oysters are grilled to give you a “just right” texture without it being too dry.
Image credits: wanderingween.blogspot.com
The plate of oysters is then served with their homemade slightly spicy paste which complements then dish very well.
Price
RM5 per oyster or RM20 for 5 oysters
3. Coconut Ice-Cream
Get a taste of this Thai Coconut Ice Cream which tastes heavenly especially on a hot day.
Also read:
You may add toppings such as sweet corn, peanuts, red bean, corn flakes and dried coconut shavings as much as you want!
Tips:
Coconut Ice Cream with Durian available!
Price
From RM10
4. Light Bulb Drink
Quench your thirst in Jonker Street Night Market without feeling the guilt with this healthy juice drink.
Exactly like its name, the drinks are served in light bulbs or you can also try those in syringes and blood bags.
Tips:
Try out their Signature Mango Juice
Price
From RM6
5. Liquid Nitrogen Korean Snack
Imitating the trending “Dragon Breath” Korean snack, you will expect to experience a wisp of cool smoke coming out of your mouth and nose.
This extraordinary looking snack is actually made out of corn puffs combined with cold liquid nitrogen.
A mixed of hot and cold definitely is a taste to remember when you are having this deep fried ice-cream.
Just imagine eating through a crispy crusty bread and finding your favourite flavoured cold ice-cream on the inside (Oh, so yummy!).
Tips:
Six types of ice-cream flavour available
Price
RM4
7. BBQ Corn
Look out for Uncle Bing’s stall selling BBQ corn while you are at Jonker Street Night Market.
This delicious BBQ Corn can be found in various flavours ranging from the original flavour, black pepper, curry, wasabi and up to a mixture of flavours.
Nyonya Popiah speciality is that it is served with pork lard which gives the perfect mixture.
Tips:
Non-halal (Enquire stall’s owner for halal version)
Price
RM3
10. Carrot Cake
Fried carrot cake which is known as Fried Radish Cake can be found in Jonker Street Night Market (despite its name, it does not contain carrot).
You would not be able to miss this stall because of the aromatic smell coming from the frying pan.
Price
RM3.50
11. Coconut Dodol
Going home isn’t the same without trying or tapau this Malacca delicacy.
Coconut Dodol is made out of rice flour, coconut milk and gula Melaka and have a similarity to a sticky toffee candy.
Also read:
12. Durian Cendol
There is not a doubt that Malacca is raved for its delicious Gula Melaka Cendol because it’s too yummy!
Durian lovers would be delighted to know that there is an option in adding fresh durian flesh into the mix of this ice shaved cendol.
Price
RM6.50
13. Si Bao
Are you a fan of rojak and fried tofu?
If it’s a yes, you MUST try Si Bao which is a mixture of fried tofu, fish cakes, fried tofu skin and cucumber drizzled with peanuts and spicy chilli sauce.
Tips:
Non-spicy version available
Price
Depend on chosen ingredients
14. Watermelon Juice
Looking for something refreshing to quench your thirst? Look out for this special watermelon juice in Jonker Street Night Market.
You will end up holding strings attached to a whole watermelon with a straw stuck into the grinded watermelon flesh and juice.
Price
RM10 average
15. Chinese Burger Sambal Prawn
Replace the burger bread with eggs with sambal prawns as the ingredient instead of a burger patty and Voila! You get a Chinese Burger Sambal Prawn.
Related: These Are All The Best Kopitiams In KL And PJ For That Perfect Breakfast
(Main and featured image: courtesy Geoff Peters from Vancouver, BC, Canada/ CC BY 2.0/Wikimedia Commons)
(This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Kuala Lumpur)
