Perlis palate: Explore Malaysia’s gastronomic gem in Perlis

Perlis might be small, but its food scene is anything far from mini. Despite its modest size, Perlis boasts a vibrant and diverse food scene that showcases the rich flavors of Malaysian cuisine. Let's delve into the culinary delights that await in this charming state.

NASI ULAM

Nasi Ulam, a cornerstone of Perlis cuisine. Fluffier than your average rice salad, it features meticulously chopped herbs like betel leaves, cassia leaves, or pennywort, adding an aromatic and earthy touch. Shredded vegetables like cucumber and long beans provide a refreshing crunch, contrasting beautifully with the soft rice. Some variations incorporate dried shrimp paste, lending a subtle salty and umami depth to the overall flavor profile.

Typically served chilled, Nasi Ulam's ingredients come ‘alive’ on the palate. This light and refreshing meal is perfect for any time of day, whether enjoyed solo or paired with other side dishes like fried fish or chicken for a more substantial experience.

Not just that, all these two flavourful unique traditional dish comes in one place - at the Ngulang Kopitiam, a popular local eatery in Perlis, which offers a delightful selection of dishes that showcase Perlis cuisine.

Also, be sure to try their Nasi Goreng Kerabu, a fragrant fried rice dish with colorful spices, or the Nasi Rendang, a comforting dish of rice cooked in a rich and flavorful curry.

Other must-tries include Ubi Kayu Rebus (boiled tapioca), Jagung Nyok (grilled sweet corn), Peknga (a sweet and savory glutinous rice cake), Cucur Udang Kuah Kacang (deep-fried shrimp fritters with peanut sauce), Lontong(compressed rice cake in coconut milk curry), and Mee Kari (yellow noodles in curry).

LEMPENG IKAN SAMBAL

Have you heard of Lempeng with Ikan Sambal? Lempeng Ikan Sambal is a flavorful and aromatic dish that tantalises the taste buds with its unique combination of ingredients.

The savory pancake, or lempeng, is generously smeared with a spicy and fragrant sambal sauce. The sambal, typically made with a blend of chili peppers, shallots, garlic, and various spices, imparts a rich and fiery kick to the dish.

The magic happens when you combine the heat of the sambal with the tender, well-cooked fish. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of flavors, ranging from the bold spiciness of the sambal to the subtle sweetness of the fish. It's a perfect balance that keeps you wanting more. Overall, it is heaven with traditional dish that never disappoint you!

Lempeng Ikan Sambal is more than just a dish; it's a local treasure. Arau Kopi offers this traditional favorite alongside other delectable options like Roti Canai with Kaya (sweet coconut jam), satay (skewered grilled meat), and a variety of kuih (bite-sized Malay cakes) like onde-onde (glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar), kaswi (flaky pastry), and kuih talam (layered coconut cake).

Arau Kopi also has reasonable prices for every meal and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It's the perfect place to gather with friends and family, indulge in delicious local cuisine, and create lasting memories.

BELANGKAS

Ever heard of Belangkas? It's a unique seafood that might surprise your taste buds! Belangkas, also known as horseshoe crab, is a distinctive marine creature that has found its way onto the plates of adventurous seafood enthusiasts.

Imagine the slightly salty taste you get from crabs or lobsters, but with a hint of sweetness that some people find delightful. Depending on how it's prepared, it has a subtle earthy taste that comes from its natural habitat.

The real star of the show, though, is the texture. Belangkas flesh is so chewy, kind of like firm tofu or those fun, chewy tapioca pearls you find in bubble tea. The meat, tender and succulent, boasts a flavor profile that is both sweet and briny, together with spices and hotness of the dish making it a standout choice for those seeking a novel seafood experience.

Belangkas is a popular delicacy in Perlis, and Rohani Ikan Bakar serves it up with their signature sambal sauce, making it a must-try for any seafood lover.

So, if you're feeling adventurous and up for trying something new, give Belangkas a try at Rohani Ikan Bakar in Perlis! It might just become your new favorite seafood discovery.

However, Rohani Ikan Bakar offers more than just the adventurous option. Craving classic Malay flavors? Go for their Ikan Bakar, a perfectly grilled fish dish sure to please. Feeling like sharing? Their Sotong dan Udang Goreng Tepung features crispy fried squid and shrimp coated in a light batter, perfect for dipping and sharing.

For a fiery kick, try their Ketam Masak Sambal, a flavorful and aromatic dish featuring spicy crab. Round out your meal with a comforting bowl of Sup Ayam (chicken soup) on a cooler day.

Beyond the main courses, Rohani Ikan Bakar offers a variety of side dishes and beverages to complete your dining experience. Complement your meal with a refreshing ulam salad, a plate of petai bakar or a bowl of sambal udang (spicy shrimp sauce).

With its diverse menu, friendly service, and relaxed atmosphere, Rohani Ikan Bakar is a must-visit for any seafood enthusiast.

SIAKAP BAKAR SUSU

Craving a taste of authentic Malay cuisine that won't break the bank?

Siakap Bakar Susu is a must-try dish. As you take your first bite, the crispy skin crunches, making way for succulent and flaky flesh within. The tender meat fish is cooked in a creamy dream of coconut milk, condensed milk, and spices like turmeric and ginger. Each bite bursts with savory, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy flavors, perfectly complementing the moist and tender fish.

The carefully balanced marinade explodes in mouth, offering a symphony of flavors - a touch of sweetness, a hint of spiciness balanced by earthy undertones, and the natural sweetness of the fish itself. Each mouthful is a delightful dance on your taste buds, leaving you wanting more.

Siakap Bakar Susu is traditionally enjoyed with a steaming plate of white rice, the perfect canvas to absorb the rich flavors of the fish and the accompanying sauces. A dollop of sambal belacan, a spicy shrimp paste condiment, adds another layer of complexity, while a squeeze of fresh lime juice cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing zing.

Siakap Bakar, a staple of Perlisan cuisine, is a sensory experience waiting to be devoured. So, on your next visit to Perlis, be sure to seek out this iconic dish and embark on a delicious adventure that will leave you wanting to come back for more.

GULAI BATANG PISANG

Looking for something vegetarian? Their Gulai Batang Pisang is a unique twist. Tender banana stems take center stage in a flavorful and thick curry with coconut milk, spices, and veggies like potatoes and carrots. The banana stems offer a touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory and slightly spicy curry, making for a delightful and unexpected flavor adventure.

Suri Masakan Melayu doesn't stop there. They have other delicious options like crispy fried pomfret fish with a spicy dipping sauce (Bawal goreng panas), flavorful stuffed squid in a vibrant chili sauce (Sotong buncit sambal), the comforting kampung chicken simmered in a rich curry (Gulai ayam kampung), and the unique bamboo shoots cooked in a fragrant and savory curry (Gulai rebung).

This place is perfect for a casual get-together with friends or family, offering a delightful taste of authentic Malay cuisine in a casual and affordable setting! at super reasonable prices.

MANGO LASSI

After devouring all that delicious food, your taste buds might be craving something sweet and refreshing to end the meal on a high note. These two delightful Malaysian drinks: Mango Lassi and Bandung Selasih 3 Layer are real thirst quenchers.

Imagine a tropical dream in a glass. This creamy drink is like a thick and luxurious smoothie, made with ripe mangoes, yogurt, and a touch of sweetness. The sweet and tangy flavors of the mango perfectly complement the cool and creamy texture of the yogurt, creating a refreshingly delicious drink that's perfect for a hot day. It's like sunshine in a cup, and it will leave you feeling cool, satisfied, and wanting more.

BANDUNG SELASIH 3 LAYERS

This drink is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds! It's a vibrantly colored beverage with three distinct layers: rosy, pink rose syrup on the bottom, a milky white condensed milk layer in the middle, and a bright green layer of pandan leaves on top. But the beauty doesn't stop there!

Each layer offers its own unique flavor profile. The rose syrup provides a sweet and floral taste, the condensed milk adds a creamy richness, and the pandan leaves infuse the drink with a subtle, refreshing aroma. When you mix it all together, you get a harmonious blend of sweetness, creaminess, and a touch of floral essence. It's like a flavor explosion in your mouth, and it's sure to leave you feeling satisfied and happy.

So, next time you're in Perlis, don't forget to try these delicious and refreshing drinks at Restoran Kuali Hangat. They're the perfect way to complement your meal and experience the unique flavors of Malaysian cuisine.

Other dishes also include Gulai nangka, Ayam percik. Kerabu perut. Kerabu pelam, Gulai rebung daging, Ayam balado, Sambal udang, Daging goreng, Gulai ikan, Ikan tiga rasa,Teh ais cincau, green tea and many more in just one place.

KUIH PENERAM

This unique treat, often unknown to outsiders, is a delightful surprise waiting to be discovered. Forget the comparisons to donuts – Kuih Peneram is a flavor party in its own right.

Imagine a soft and fluffy rice cake, kind of like a mini pancake, that's slightly sweet thanks to the rice flour batter. But here's the twist: there's also a hint of savory goodness from the coconut milk mixed in. It's like a sweet and salty combo, but way more subtle and interesting.

The outside of this little cake is crispy and fun to bite into, almost like a tiny fried rice cracker. But don't worry, the inside stays nice and soft and fluffy, giving you a fun textural contrast in every mouthful.

Perlis offers a treasure trove of traditional kuih, like keria and apom cucur jagung, waiting to be explored. So, come and experience the unique flavors and textures of Perlis' culinary scene!

SHELL OUT

Calling all seafood lovers! Craving a taste of freshness and pure ocean delight?

Dive into juicy shrimp, succulent crab, flaky fish, and even exotic shellfish – there's something for every seafood fancy! For this, you should check out Arab Kitchen.

Imagine the succulent sweetness of fresh seafood, perfectly cooked and bathed in a thick, luxurious sauce. This isn't your average condiment. It's a symphony of flavors, a captivating dance between sweet, salty, and spicy notes.

The thickness of the sauce adds a richness to each bite, while the saltiness draws out the natural sweetness of the seafood, whether it's the delicate sweetness of barramundi or the briny sweetness of shrimp. But the real party starts with the sweetness as it perfectly balances the saltiness, creating a harmonious base.

Then comes the heat. It's not an overpowering burn, but a subtle kick that wakes up your taste buds. This might come from the freshness of chilies or the aromatic warmth of spices like ginger and garlic.

Together, these elements create a truly unforgettable taste experience. Arab Kitchen’s got a shell-ebration waiting for you with a massive selection of seafood goodness.

Let's go on a gastronomic adventure! Explore this gastronomic journey with Sinar Daily's MYWonders video here!