For first-time visitors
Makan Dictionary
Learn these words and you will order like a local at any mamak, kopitiam or pasar malam.
Makan
To eat. Also used for "meal" or "food", as in "Jom makan!" (Let’s eat!).
Tapau / Bungkus
Takeaway. Say "tapau" or "bungkus" to have your food packed to go.
Mamak
An Indian Muslim eatery, often open late or 24 hours, serving roti canai, nasi kandar and teh tarik.
Kopitiam
A traditional coffee shop, usually with several hawker stalls under one roof.
Gerai
A food stall, from a roadside cart to a stall in a hawker centre.
Pasar malam
Night market. Held on fixed days of the week, with dozens of food stalls.
Lepak
To hang out and relax, often over teh tarik at a mamak late at night.
Kopi O
Black coffee with sugar.
Kopi C
Coffee with evaporated milk and sugar.
Kosong
Plain, without sugar. "Kopi O kosong" is black coffee with no sugar.
Peng / Ais
Iced. "Teh peng" or "teh ais" is iced milk tea.
Kurang manis
Less sweet. Useful, because Malaysian drinks are sweet by default.
Teh tarik
Milk tea "pulled" between two cups to make it smooth and frothy.
Pedas
Spicy. "Tak nak pedas" means "not spicy, please".
Sambal
Chilli paste, served with almost everything, from nasi lemak to fried fish.
Belacan
Fermented shrimp paste, the base of many sambals.
Santan
Coconut milk, used in curries, rice and desserts.
Gula melaka
Palm sugar with a deep caramel flavour, used in cendol and kuih.
Kuah
Gravy or sauce poured over rice or noodles.
Lauk
Side dishes eaten with rice.
Nasi campur
Mixed rice. You choose your dishes from a counter and pay by what you take.
Banjir
"Flooded". Ask for your rice banjir and it will be covered in mixed curries.
Ulam
Raw herbs and vegetables eaten as a fresh side, often with sambal.
Goreng / Bakar / Rebus
Fried / grilled / boiled. "Mee goreng" is fried noodles, "ikan bakar" is grilled fish.
Kuih
Traditional bite-sized cakes and snacks, often made with rice flour, coconut and pandan.
Roti
Bread. At a mamak it usually means flatbread such as roti canai.
Tambah
Add more. "Tambah nasi" is an extra serving of rice.
Kira
The bill. Call "Boss, kira!" when you are ready to pay.
Boss / Uncle / Aunty
Friendly ways to call the stall owner or waiter.
Sedap
Delicious. The best compliment you can give a cook.
Habis
Sold out. Popular stalls often run out by early afternoon.
Halal
Permitted for Muslims. Look for the official JAKIM halal certificate, not just a sign.
Pork-free
No pork is served, but the restaurant is not necessarily halal certified.