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The Ambitious Salted Fish

  • Malaysian Food
    • Malaysia
    • Johor
    • Kelantan
    • Kedah
    • Kuala Lumpur
    • Melaka
    • Negeri Sembilan
    • Pahang
    • Penang
    • Perak
    • Perlis
    • Sabah
    • Sarawak
    • Selangor
    • Terengganu
Lemang Kelamai

Lemang Kelamai: A Bamboo-Baked Rice Cake from Perak

Sambal Putik Pauh

Sambal Putik Pauh: The Spicy Mango Salad of Kelantan

Ubi Telampong

Ubi Telampong: The Sugarcane-Cooked Cassava of Kedah

Yu Sheng Featured

Yu Sheng: The Most Iconic Chinese New Year Ritual in Malaysia

Hinava Featured

Hinava: The Iconic Raw Fish Salad of Sabah

Kluang Coffee Featured

Kluang Coffee: The Traditional Kopitiam Pour of Johor

Tinimbu Featured

Tinimbu: The Tatana Rice Dumpling of Kuala Penyu

Kuih Qasidah Featured

Kuih Qasidah: The Malay Custard Dessert Served with Fried Shallots

Sam Kan Chong Featured

Sam Kan Chong Pork Ball Noodles: The Taste of Long Lost KL

Inchi Kabin Featured

Inchi Kabin: The Spiced Soul of Nyonya Fried Chicken

Rendang Betik Featured

Rendang Betik: The Delicious Papaya Curry of Negeri Sembilan

Budu Featured

Budu: The Liquid Pride of Kelantan

Asam Rong

Asam Rong: The Fermented Seed Paste of Pahang

EmpingRinggi

Emping/Ringgi: The Glutinous Rice Flakes of Perlis and Kedah

Cakar Ayam Featured

Kuih Cakar Ayam: The Crunchy Claw-Like Snack from Malaysia

Umai Featured

Umai: The Traditional Raw Fish Salad of Sarawak

Pulut Lepa Featured

Pulut Lepa: The Iconic Grilled Parcel of Terengganu

BuburBuangPanas

Bubur Buang Panas: The Iconic Icy Dessert of Sibu

Mee Chambol Featured

Mee Chambol: Kelantan’s Jumbo-Style Border Noodle Soup

Janda Pulang

Air Janda Pulang: The Beloved Coconut Drink from Negeri Sembilan

Itik Tim Features

Itik Tim: The Delicious Nyonya Duck Soup from Malaysia

Pasembur Featured

Pasembur: The Hearty Spicy Salad of Penang

White Lady Featured

White Lady: The Refreshing Fruity Dessert from Kuching

Kari Ayam Kapitan Featured

Kari Ayam Kapitan: A Tale of Trade and Cultural Fusion

Sang Har Mee Featured

Sang Har Mee: The Crispiest Prawn Noodles from Malaysia

Zao Cai Hong Ngan Featured

Zao Cai Hong Ngan: The Tangy Foochow Noodle Dish from Sarawak

Kway Teow Kia

Kway Teow Kia: Johor Bahru’s Most Famous Teochew Noodles

Nasi Kombos

Nasi Kombos: Traditional Lotud Coconut Rice Dish from Sabah

Nasi Lemak Featured

Nasi Lemak: From Kampung Fuel to Malaysian Icon

Kuih Sopang Featured

Kuih Sopang: The Sweet Chewy Dessert from Negeri Sembilan

Manok Kacangma Featured

Manok Kacangma: The Iconic Herbal Chicken Dish from Sarawak

Heong Peah Featured

Heong Peah: The Flaky Fragrant Biscuit of Perak

Kuih Nekbat Featured

Kuih Nekbat: The Syrupy Cake from Kelantan & Terengganu

Sambal Taun Featured

Sambal Taun: The Selangor Dish That Stood The Test of Time

Apam Johol Featured

Apam Johol: The Traditional Steamed Cake from Johol, Negeri Sembilan

Kebebe Featured

Kebebe: The Traditional Wild Fruit Salad from Lenggong Perak

Pontian Wonton Mee

Pontian Wonton Mee: The Unique Tomato Noodle Dish from Johor

Kuih Dangai Featured

Kuih Dangai: The Beloved Coconut Kuih of Perlis

Bian Nyuk Featured

Bian Nyuk: The Delicate Foochow Wontons of Sibu

Ais Tingkap Featured

Ais Tingkap: The Century-Old Sweet Drink from Penang

Etok Salai Featured

Etok Salai: The Shelled Goodness from Kelantan

Rempeyek Featured

Rempeyek: The Popular Crispy Javanese Snack in Malaysia

Bubur Cha Cha Featured

Bubur Cha Cha: A Traditional Malaysian Dessert with a Quirky Name and Colourful Ingredients

ufo tart Featured

UFO Tart: The Whimsical Treat from Sandakan

Nasi Kerabu Featured

Nasi Kerabu: The Vibrant Blue Rice Medley from Kelantan

Ipoh White Coffee Featured

Ipoh White Coffee: The Beloved Coffee from Perak

Chee Cheong Fun feature

Chee Cheong Fun: The Rice Noodle Dish that Showcases Malaysians’ Creativity

Kuih Akok Featured

Kuih Akok: Crafted to Grace the Palates of Royalty

Mee Siput Featured

Mee Siput: The Traditional Crispy Snack from Muar

Air Nira Featured

Air Nira: The Sweet Nectar from Malaysian Palm Trees

mee calong feature

Mee Calong: The Traditional Fish Ball Noodle Soup from Beserah Pahang

Pek Nga Nyok Featured

Pek Nga Nyok: The Traditional Coconut Pancake from Northern Malaysia

Otak-otak Featured

Otak-otak Muar: The Most Iconic Fish Snack in Johor

abc soup feature

ABC Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Soup for Malaysians

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    • Penang
    • Perak
    • Perlis
    • Sabah
    • Sarawak
    • Selangor
    • Terengganu

About

ikanmas.in is a living compendium of Malaysian food, dish by dish, region by region, culture by culture.

This site explores not just what Malaysians eat, but why we eat it. We trace the roots, rituals and people behind the dishes that define our identity as a nation of many cultures.

The name ikan masin means salted fish in Malay, a humble yet essential ingredient found in kitchens across the country. Like salted fish, this site is about preservation. We aim to preserve the knowledge, stories and cultural significance behind Malaysian food, so that it continues to be passed on and celebrated.

There is also a playful nod to the words of Stephen Chow, who once said, "a man without ambition is no different from a salted fish." At ikanmas.in, we take that to heart. Our ambition is to build the most thoughtful, respectful and comprehensive archive of Malaysian food culture available online.

Whether you're here to learn, reminisce or contribute your own memories, we welcome your voice.

Because in Malaysia, food isn't just part of life. It is life.

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