We’re a family of absolute foodies who wants to travel to Malaysia. It’s said to be a food lover’s dream, especially Penang! Now, since Malaysia is a Muslim country, I’d like to know more about the food scene there. Are there restaurants that serve pork?
Malaysia is a multicultural Southeast Asian nation comprised of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous groups With Islam as the official state religion, many visitors wonder – is pork available in Malaysia? While avoided by Muslim Malays, pork still maintains an integral place within certain Malaysian ethnic cuisines
Overview of Pork’s Availability
Despite being predominantly Muslim, Malaysia contains sizeable communities of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and more who are free to consume pork. As such, pork dishes are served at non-halal eateries and sold openly in designated sections of grocery stores.
Malaysia has a culturally diverse population, with ethnic Chinese making up over 20%. Pork holds great importance in Chinese cuisine, so it’s incorporated into dishes at hawker stalls, restaurants and home kitchens nationwide.
While not all restaurants in Malaysia are halal-certified those serving pork and alcohol clearly advertise themselves as ‘non-halal’. Malaysia takes halal regulations seriously so dining venues are upfront about containing non-halal fare.
Overall, pork remains widely available in major cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang. With varied cultures and cuisines, there are plentiful dining options for pork dishes if one knows where to look as a tourist.
The Significance of Pork in Malaysian Food Culture
Despite taboos pork still occupies an interesting position in Malaysia’s multifaceted culinary traditions
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Chinese Malaysians frequently cook pork at home and in eateries. Specialties like char siu, bak kut teh and sio bak are treasured.
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Pork is also essential in Malaysian Indian cuisine. Beloved dishes include vindaloo, curry and fried intestines.
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While shunned by Malay Muslims, pork still appears in traditional Nyonya cuisine fusing Chinese and Malay elements.
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Wet markets, designated grocery sections, and butcher shops openly sell fresh pork to non-Muslim consumers.
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Chinese and non-halal Indian eateries serve pork freely. Signage indicates ‘non-halal’ so Muslim patrons avoid mistaken entry.
So while spurned by the Muslim majority, pork remains integral to Malaysian Chinese and Indian food culture. Tourists can experience this singular allure safely.
Where to Find Pork Dishes in Malaysia’s Cities and States
For those eager to sample pork specialties in Malaysia, here’s where to find them:
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Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s capital offers infinite dining diversity. Upscale Chinese restaurants in malls serve pork. Hawker stalls in Petaling Street serve classics like roast pork and bak kut teh.
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Penang: Famed as Malaysia’s food capital, head to Georgetown for mouthwatering Chinese BBQ meats, assam laksa with pork balls, and crispy sio bak.
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Ipoh: Visit the city’s “Concubine Lane” for top Chinese fare like pork noodle soup, bean curd stuffed with pork, and stewed pork leg.
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Melaka: Try Nyonya specialties like pork ribs with fermented bean paste or pork stew with olives at famous Nancy’s Kitchen.
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Sarawak: The substantial Chinese community means savoring pork-laden dishes at coffee shops and food courts in cities like Kuching.
In short, outside conservative Malay-majority states, indulge in pork freely in urban centers and Chinese enclaves. Just look for ‘non-halal’ signage at dining spots.
Tips for Respectfully Enjoying Pork in Malaysia
When indulging in non-halal fare, here are some etiquette tips:
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Avoid openly eating/drinking near fasting Muslim patrons during Ramadan. Be discreet.
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Don’t enter a halal venue with visible pork or alcohol.
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Remove pork from shared kitchens used by Muslim housemates.
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Don’t assume all Chinese/Indian restaurants serve pork. Verify halal status.
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Never pressure Muslim acquaintances to try pork/alcohol.
Notable Pork Dishes to Savor in Malaysia
To finish, here are some iconic pork dishes to enjoy during your culinary journey:
- Bak kut teh (pork bone tea soup)
- Babi assam (tamarind pork stew)
- Char siu (Cantonese honey barbecue pork)
- Sio bak (crispy roast pork belly)
- Wonton noodles (with pork dumplings)
- Kolo mee (pork noodle soup)
- Lor bak (braised pork and gravy)
- Sambal pork ribs
- Pork satay skewers
From Chinese roasts to regional stews, Malaysia’s range of porcine delights will leave you satisfied. With adventurous and respectful dining, one can fully experience Malaysia’s multifaceted food culture.
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Malaysia is a mix of different cultures, even though Islam is the main religion and more than half of the people there follow it. Since not all restaurants in Malaysia are halal-certified, it’s easy to find hundreds of places that serve pork. In Malaysia, restaurants that serve pork have clear “non-halal” signs right at the front door. The same is true for restaurants that serve alcohol; many of these are owned by Chinese or Indian people from Malaysia.
If you’re wondering “where to eat in Malaysia?,” the capital city Kuala Lumpur has a huge variety of places to eat, from roadside stands that are open 24 hours a day to well-known restaurants in shopping malls, hipster cafes, and high-end restaurants with the best views.
While Penang is on the other side, it is heaven for hawker food lovers; it is THE place to be if you like food!
That being said, it will depend on where exactly in Malaysia you’re thinking of visiting. If you’re in Kuala Terengganu or another Malay (Muslim) majority state in Malaysia, it might be hard to find pork. But if you stick to the cities and are determined to eat pork, you should have no trouble finding restaurants that serve pork.
They have so many interesting and different kinds of food in Malaysia that you could spend a whole year there and never get tired of the non-pork dishes they serve. In fact, you will probably miss many of the non-pork dishes you enjoyed in Malaysia when you get back home. To answer your question, pork is available if you need it, but you won’t be missing out if you don’t eat any pork during your 10–15 day vacation in Malaysia.
Where Pork Comes From: Malaysia Pig Farm To Singapore
FAQ
Do they have pork in Malaysia?
Can you buy pork in Kuala Lumpur?
Why is pork so expensive in Malaysia?
Where does Malaysia import pork from?
Do Malaysians eat pork?
Yes, pork dishes are widely available around Malaysia. Even though Malaysia is officially a Muslim country you will find pork in markets, restaurants, and supermarkets. Muslims don’t consume pork since Islam forbids it. Most supermarkets will have a non-halal section for pork meat and pork-based products and for alcohol.
How much does pork cost in Malaysia?
Malaysia’s pork prices were at RM1,620 (S$487) per 100kg in April, compared with RM760 in January 2022, according to the Butchers Association of Selangor. Malaysia exports frozen pork and live pigs to Singapore. In 2021, it exported 98,400 live pigs worth RM109.45 million, but did not give the breakdown by country.
Will higher pork prices sit well with Malaysian consumers?
“The higher pork prices may not sit well with (Malaysian) consumers. With the current economic trend, consumers will be very cautious with their buying,” Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu told The Straits Times.
Should Malaysia have pigs?
Malaysia is a very diverse country. Half the country’s population is Muslim, the other half is not. So it would not make sense much from a business and economic sense to not have pigs. Pork is the main source of meat for non-Muslims in Malaysia, especially for the Chinese. It is also cheaper than other meats in Malaysia.