Best Malaysian Curry Recipes in the Cook Eat World

By ↣Published On: May 22nd, 2021↣

Once you unearth the magic of Malaysian food, you’ll never look back. Curries in particular form some of the tastiest treats in the world. NO JOKE, this under-represented cuisine is an exciting melting pot of flavour, colour and texture like nowhere else on Earth. Ready to discover my best Malaysian curry recipes?

A man picks from a variety of Malaysian street food curries

I fell in love with Malaysian Curries many years ago after a trip through Kuala Lumpur and Singapore - I spent most of my time stuffing my face in food courts or slurping my way through all the street food I could logistically handle. In the years since, with countless return trips, I've collected the know-how for all my favourites  - a cornucopia of authentic Malaysian curries. From the amazing, and fragrant kari ayam (chicken curry) to the glorious intense heights of beef rendang, with a few tasty treats in between. Malaysian cuisine is the jewel in the crown of South East Asian Curries, and thankfully all my best recipes are right here!

What is Malaysian Food?

Malaysian and Singaporean food is a rich, complex marriage of cultures and flavour. With its roots in many ethnicities, over time has become the flavourful, vibrant cuisine it is today. A roll-call of culinary heritage from China, India, Borneo, Indonesia, Thailand, Portugal, The Netherlands, UK and Middle East all play their part in shaping this unique, diverse and most importantly, delicious cuisine.

Curry love?!

Who doesn't love a curry!? Malaysia doesn't disappoint - having some of the tastiest offerings in the world. Rich, complex, vibrant and intense marriages of flavour and texture - mind-bogglingly delicious! Here are a few of my best Malaysian curry recipes - inspired by my many trips to Malaysia and Singapore, where I'd while away my day sampling all manner of life-changing offerings. Malaysian cuisine is my favourite in the world and I hope you enjoy my most-loved recipes...

Malaysian Chicken Curry in a bowl with a spoon

Malaysian Chicken Curry (Kari Ayam)

A fragrant marriage of South East Asia and India. A wonderful coconut curry that is jam-packed with flavour, colour and texture.
View recipe
A bowl of Malaysian Fish Curry

Malaysian Fish Curry (Kari Ikan)

A wonderful, complex melding of colour, texture and flavour. Tender fish pieces in a rich, vibrant an and fragrant curry sauce - unique to Malaysia.
View recipe
Beef Rendang with salad vegetables

Beef Rendang

This intensely flavourful Indonesian Beef Rendang has it all and then some. Meltingly tender beef sits in a thick coconut sauce. It’s the essence of South East Asia – a masterclass in packing in as much flavour as is humanly possible!
View recipe
A bowl of Malaysian Chicken Kapitan Curry (Kari Kapitan).

Malaysian Chicken Kapitan (Kapitan Kari)

Kapitan Chicken is wonderfully creamy, fragrant Malaysian curry - this Nyonya dish is a prized favourite in Malaysia and you'll understand why once you taste its amazingly flavourful sauce.
View recipe
A bowl of Malaysian Beef Curry

Malaysian Beef Curry

A rich, intensely flavoured beef curry that will set your taste buds alight with magical South East Asian fragrance. The highlight to any Malaysian feast.
View recipe
A bowl of Malaysian curry laksa decorated with prawns, tofu , beansprouts and herbs

Malaysian Prawn Laksa

Indulge in the ultimate Malaysian culinary delight: Malaysian Prawn Laksa. Creamy, fragrant, and packed with spicy flavours. It's my all time favourite dish and I'm sure you'll agree after the first delicious slurp.
View recipe
Roti Canai with Dhal

Roti Canai with Dhal

A creamy, vibrant and fragrant Malaysian style dhal sits alongside flaky, buttery roti bread. A combination made in South East Asian heaven.
View recipe
Chicken cooked in coconut milk with Malaysian aromatics to make Nyonya Chicken Curry (Ayam Kleo)

Nyonya Chicken Curry (Ayam Kalio)

A rich, heady sauce that's packed with colour and fragrance takes centre stage in this amazing Malaysian Curry. Brimming with personality, Nyonya Chicken Curry is one of the World's greatest.
View recipe
Malaysian Curry Powder

Malaysian Curry Powder

A good Malaysian curry needs a good foundation - an authentic curry powder is essential. This recipe is as authentic as it gets - sweet and smoky with anise notes that play an essential role in creating the unique flavour and fragrance of Malaysian cuisine.
View recipe
A vibrant peanut satay chicken curry with red chillies and cilantro

Satay Chicken Curry

As curries go, this creamy peanut satay chicken curry is one of the best. A rich, spicy and fragrant curry that is packed with flavour. Learn how to make this creamy, vibrant delight at home, it's very easy and much better than take-away!
View recipe
A plate of Sambal Udang (Sambal Prawns) with rice and a salad

Sambal Udang (Sambal Prawns)

Sambal Udang is the simplest, tastiest dish to make and simply packed with flavour. Sweet, spicy and super delicious. Learn how to make this Malaysian dish yourself at home.
View recipe
A bowl of Malaysian Red Curry - Ayam Masak Merah

Ayam Masak Merah 
(Malaysian Chicken in Spicy Tomato Sauce)

This vibrant, fragrant curry from Malaysia is bursting with South East Asian personality. A rich, tangy and spicy sauce coats juicy chicken. It's intensely flavourful and authentically delicious.
View recipe
A man picks from a variety of Malaysian street food curries

Did you make one of these delicious Malaysian curries?

How did you go? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to tag @cookeatinsta at Instagram. What's your favourite Malaysian curry?