Welcome to our comprehensive guide to vocabulary about food in Malay! As you expand your knowledge of the Malay language and cuisine, you’ll come across these words at some point in your education.
This blog post will explore some essential terms related to various food categories, talk about the names of some cooking techniques, and even introduce you to some of the more popular ingredients that define Malaysian cuisine. We even threw in some phrases you can use to interact with locals about cooking!
Get your knives and forks out and prepare to makan (eat) – let’s dive into the ultimate guide to vocabulary about food in Malay!
Vocabulary About Malay Food, Cooking, And More
To make it easy to reference, we’ve created these lists of vocabulary about Malay cuisine. We’re going to discuss a lot today: food categories, cooking techniques, ingredients, and utensils. Plus, we included a few phrases that you can use to socialize with Malay people (or people interested in Malay food).
Food Categories In The Malay Language
Familiarizing yourself with these food categories in Malay will help you better understand the diverse flavors, ingredients, and unique cooking techniques that make up the rich cultural heritage of Malaysian dishes. Whether you’ll be dining or preparing meals in Malaysia, this knowledge will enhance your experience and appreciation of the local culinary delights.
| English | Malay |
| Fruit | Buah-buahan |
| Meat | Daging |
| Pork | Daging babi |
| Beef | Daging lembu |
| Chicken | Ayam |
| Fish | Ikan |
| Seafood | Makanan laut |
| Rice | Nasi |
| Noodles | Mee |
| Vegetables | Sayur-sayuran |
Cooking Techniques In Malaysian Cuisine
Next up is a list of cooking techniques in Malay! These terms are used for various cooking methods. They will help you get a deeper understanding of how your Malay dishes are prepared, leading to a greater appreciation of the cuisine in general. Learn how your Malaysian fried chicken is made, and savor the rich flavors of Malay food!
| English | Malay |
| Bake | Bakar |
| Boil | Didihkan |
| Fry | Goreng |
| Grill | Bakar |
| Roast | Panggang |
| Steam | Kukus |
Popular Cooking Ingredients In Malaysian Dishes
Malaysian cuisine is renowned for its unique and vibrant flavors, combining a plethora of herbs and spices to create mouthwatering dishes that leave a lasting impression on the taste buds. From aromatics like lemongrass and star anise to intense flavors like chili paste, Malaysian recipes blend these ingredients together to achieve a delicate balance of flavors.
| English | Malay |
| Salt | Garam |
| Sugar | Gula |
| Coconut milk | Santan |
| Chili | Cili |
| Turmeric | Kunyit |
| Lemongrass | Serai |
| Galangal | Lengkuas |
| Kaffir lime leaves | Daun limau purut |
| Shrimp paste | Belacan |
| Tamarind | Asam jawa |
| Candlenuts | Buah keras |
| Fish sauce | Kicap ikan |
| Spicy paste | Sambal |
| Coconut | Kelapa |
| Palm sugar | Gula Melaka |
| Soy sauce | Kicap soya |
| Garlic | Bawang putih |
| Ginger | Halia |
| Shallots | Bawang merah |
| Cumin | Jintan putih |
| Coriander | Ketumbar |
| Lime | Limau nipis |
| Pepper | Lada hitam |
| Bay leaves | Daun salam |
| Cardamom | Buah pelaga |
| Cinnamon | Kayu manis |
| Star anise | Bunga lawang |
Kitchen Utensils And Tools In Malaysian Cooking
While they’re similar to the ones you have in your kitchen, it’s essential to learn the names of kitchen utensils and tools in Malaysian cooking! Knowing these words will help you understand cookbooks in the Malay language and know exactly what the instructions expect you to do.
| English | Malay |
| Pot | Kuali |
| Pan | Kuali leper |
| Wok | Kuali wok |
| Ladle | Senduk |
| Spatula | Spatula |
| Tongs | Penjepit |
| Knife | Pisau |
| Cutting board | Papan pemotong |
| Mortar and pestle | Lesung batu |
| Steamer basket | Dulang kukus |
| Strainer | Penapis |
| Grater | Parut |
Food Preparation And Cooking Terms In Malay
Carving, chopping, dicing, and grating are just some of the techniques that you’ll need to master to create authentic Malaysian dishes. By learning the Malay words for these techniques, you’ll easily follow Malay recipes!
This list of food preparation and cooking terms in Malay is a great starting point for anyone who is new to Malaysian cuisine. So grab your kitchen tools, and let’s get cooking!
| English | Malay |
| Carve | Ukir |
| Chop | Potong |
| Dice | Dadu |
| Grate | Parut |
| Mash | Lenyek |
| Mix | Gaul |
| Sprinkle | Tabur |
| Stir | Kacau |
| Burn | Bakar |
| Cook | Masak |
| Fry | Goreng |
| Grill | Panggang |
| Heat | Panaskan |
| Preheat | Pemanas pra |
| Roast | Panggang kering |
| Steam | Kukus |
Phrases Related To Food In Bahasa Melayu
Suppose you’re passionate about Malaysian food and want to connect with others with the same enthusiasm. In that case, learning some key phrases related to food in Bahasa Melayu, or Malay, can be a great way to start conversations and show your appreciation for this rich culinary tradition.
This list of phrases related to food in Malay will enhance your understanding of Malaysian cuisine. It will help you build connections with fellow food lovers who appreciate the unique flavors and textures of this diverse and delicious cuisine.
| English | Malay |
| How can I get a Malaysian cookbook? | Bagaimana saya boleh mendapatkan buku masakan Malaysia? |
| Malaysian food is delicious! | Makanan Malaysia sedap! |
| I’m on a diet, but I guess I can go for dessert! | Saya sedang berdiet, tapi saya boleh makan pencuci mulut! |
| What is the name of this dish? | Apa nama hidangan ini? |
| What drinks go well with this food? | Minuman apa yang sesuai dengan hidangan ini? |
| Which Malaysian food is your favorite? | Makanan Malaysia yang mana yang menjadi kegemaran anda? |
| May I please have some juice? | Bolehkah saya minta air jus? |
| You have to tell me your recipe! | Awak kena beritahu saya resipi anda! |
| This sauce tastes great. | Kuah ini sedap rasanya. |
Learn The Malay Language With Ling
Look, we get it – writing this article made us hungry, too! But, if you want to start practicing your Malay skills in a Malaysian restaurant near you, there’s one more thing you can do to truly make the learning experience immersive.
Welcome to the Ling app, a language-learning platform with lessons in Malay and over 60 more languages! Each lesson is designed to make learning fun, engaging, and memorable, helping you learn and become fluent in your chosen language. Get a head start on your language-learning journey. Try the Ling app for free today by downloading it for Android or iPhone.
