One of the perks of being on a holiday is experiencing the different cultures and trying local foods offered by the country/ city. And street food is something that always gets us all excited.

If you ever find yourself in Johor Bahru – a land where a truckload of delicious street food and shopping haven awaits - here are 10 Amazing Malaysian Street Food that you should try.

#1 APOM BALIK

Apom Balik is essentially sticky rice flour pancakes with peanut shavings and sweetened corn sandwiched in between. Relish the sweet, chewy and crispy combination that will leave you wanting more.

These goodies are typically RM1 for two.

#2 SQUID ON STICKS

These squids found on the streets of Malaysia are hard to beat. Have them BBQ-ed or deep fried. While deep fried anything is great, we are more inclined towards the BBQ version that is brushed with special chilli sauce.

And guess what? It is just RM8 for a huge squid!

#3 CHEE CHEONG FUN

Chee Cheong Fun, or rice rolls, can be found at almost every dim sum restaurant or eatery in Singapore, but these ones from Malaysia boasts a smooth springy texture that you will not stop dreaming about.

Drenched in your choice or curry, black or red sauce, they are usually priced at RM5 per portion.

#4 CHWEE KUEH

Alas, another traditional delight! For the uninitiated, Chwee Kueh is a steamed rice cake garnished with diced preserved radish and served with chilli, and it is super popular in both Singapore and Malaysia.

The ones sold by the streets of Johor Bahru are typically RM4 for five pieces.

#5 FRIED CARROT CAKE

In Malaysia, the steamed radish cubes are heated in a pan before being mixed with egg yolk, then fried. Bean sprouts are sometimes tossed in to add crunch to the dish. And of course, eating it with chilli makes it even better.

A plate in Johor Bahru is typically RM4.

#6 MUAH CHEE

A favourite childhood snack for many who grew up in Singapore and/ or Malaysia, Muah Chee is essentially glutinous rice dough generously coated with sugared peanut shavings. The ones here at Johor Bahru are somewhat softer and gives that melt-in-your-mouth satisfaction.

A packet costs RM3.

#7 PENANG ASSAM LAKSA

This notable dish can be found at almost every corner of Johor Bahru’s Streets. One whiff of the Assam broth and we succumbed to the bowl of goodness. A good bowl of piping hot Penang Assam Laksa sure does wonders for the soul. More prawn paste, please!

The average price is RM4 per bowl.

#8 SMELLY TOFU

We get how the pungent smell might be a turn-off for many, there are many who dig it for its odour. These smelly tofu stalls are usually easy to spot from a distance, but the distinct fermented taste is honestly more savoury than anything else.

A box of smelly tofu is typically RM4.

#9 TRADITIONAL TEOCHEW KUEH

Since Malaysia also has a strong Chinese heritage, the vendors take pride in their cultural roots by preparing traditional Teochew kuehs from scratch with the most refined methods.

The most common ones are yam cakes, and they are usually at RM5 for two.

#10 RAMLY BURGER

The Ramly Burger is a Malaysian street burger and the ingredients used to prepare this local delicacy differ across stalls throughout Malaysia. It comprises either a beef or chicken patty and is usually cooked with cabbage, chilli, ketchup, margarine, egg and soy sauce etc.

For more recommendations, read our guide to 7 Dishes To Try At Johor Bahru’s Meldrum Night Market.

We are always on the prowl for mouth-watering authentic delicacies, even if it means having to travel across the national border. If you are in search of traditional Malaysian street food and are up for a gastronomic adventure, then head over to Johor Bahru’s Meldrum Night Market.

Located just a stone’s throw away from the Causeway and JB Sentral, Meldrum Night Market is tucked away in a back alley (accessible via the main streets of Jalan Wong Ah Fook and Jalan Meldrum). Open daily from 5pm – 12am, the hidden street food paradise is a must-visit.

From Malaysia’s heritage food Apam Balik to the Hokkien hand-pulled noodles Mee Hoon Kueh, here is our guide to 7 Dishes to Try at Meldrum Night Market in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

#1 APAM BALIK PANCAKE

Apam Balik Pancakes are essentially griddle pancakes made with baking powder, eggs, flour and coconut milk. While the contents typically vary across vendors of different origins, the pancakes at Meldrum Night Market are filled with peanut granules and sweet corn.

#2 CHAR KWAY TEOW

Char Kway Teow is a popular stir-fried seafood noodle dish with several variations across Malaysia. Unlike the sweet version in Singapore, Meldrum Night Market’s rendition is a semi savoury plate of aromatic flat rice noodles cooked over high heat with de-shelled blood cockles, Chinese chives, crunchy beansprouts, eggs, fresh shrimps and both light and dark soy sauce.

#3 LAKSA

The non-viscous spicy broth of Meldrum Night Market’s laksa is slightly clear with a distinctive coconut milk aftertaste. It is served with noodles of your choice and topped with beancurd skin, fish balls and long beans, and a dollop of sambal chilli on the side.

#4 MEE HOON KUEH

The Hokkien traditional hand-pulled noodles are typically served in clear, fragrant anchovy soups and tastes exactly like the Ban Mian that most Singaporeans are used to. The key difference lies in the shape of noodles, where Mee Hoon Kueh’s are oddly shaped and not stringy.

#5 OYSTER OMELETTE

Oyster Omelette might have originated from Taiwan, but has long become a comfort food in Malaysia and other Asian countries. Potato starch is added to the egg batter to give the omelette a thicker texture, and cooked together with a generous portion of tiny succulent oysters. The skin is cooked till a golden brown crisp and its insides are delightfully fluffy.

#6 RAMLY BURGER

The Ramly Burger is a Malaysian street burger and the ingredients used to prepare this local delicacy differ across stalls throughout Malaysia. It comprises either a beef or chicken patty and is usually cooked with cabbage, chilli, ketchup, margarine, egg and soy sauce etc. We are not sure if it is intended, but the one we had at Meldrum Night Market was without an egg.

#7 WANTON MEE

Meldrum Night Market’s wanton mee is a plate of springy noodles drenched in oyster sauce, topped with sliced char siu and garnished with garlic chives. The tasty broth and silky wantons are served in a side bowl while another separate saucer holds the chopped green chilli.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.