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Top 3 Western Malaysian Seafood Dishes

Last updated on June 15, 2026
01

Masak lemak

3.7 ·

Masak lemak is a vibrant yellow Malaysian curry with a supposed origin in Negeri Sembilan. The dish can be prepared with various proteins such as chicken (ayam), fish (ikan), daging (beef), or seafood, but the base is always the same – a creamy, incredibly flavorful, and spicy combination of turmeric, coconut milk, and various other herbs and spices. The dish is also known as masak lemak cili api (padi), in which the last two words refer to the use of chilies in the dish. Masak lemak is enjoyed throughout Malaysia and it is usually served accompanied by sambal, rice, and raw vegetables (ulam).

02

Keropok lekor

3.6 ·

Keropok lekor is a Malaysian snack and a specialty of the Terengganu region. In order to prepare it, ground fish such as herring, ikan tamban, ikan kerisi, or ikan selayang are combined with sago flour, and the combination is formed into long, sausage-like shapes which are then boiled for several hours, although these fish sausages can also be fried. There are many stalls in the region where keropok lekor can be bought, and it is traditionally served hot with a spicy chili dipping sauce.

03

Asam pedas

n/a ·

The main characteristic of this popular Malaysian dish is the combination of tamarind juice and chili paste, giving the dish its signature sour and spicy flavors. Even though it appears in numerous varieties throughout the country, it is traditionally prepared with okra, tomatoes, fish, and various seasonings, all cooked in a zesty, rich broth. Asam pedas is usually enjoyed as the main course, commonly served accompanied by rice.

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About this ranking

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 3 Western Malaysian Seafood Dishes” list until June 15, 2026, 74 ratings were recorded, of which 36 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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