Explore a variety of mouth-watering Malaysian cakes, from sweet to savory, complete with unique stories and presentations.
Malaysia, with its cultural diversity, has a variety of culinary delights that are very appetizing, one of which is the various types of traditional cakes.
Typical Malaysian cakes are often made from natural ingredients such as coconut, rice flour, sticky rice, and spices that symbolize the fusion of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures.
Each cake has its own unique taste and is often served on special occasions, as an everyday snack, or even as a souvenir. Here are 10 typical Malaysian cakes that you must try when visiting this country.
1. Kuih Bohulu: Crispy and Sweet Sponge Cake
Kuih Bohulu is one of the typical snacks of Malacca which is also popular in Indonesia, known as bolu cake. Although at first glance it looks similar to cubit cake, kuih bohulu has a crispier and denser texture.
The inside is soft, making it a perfect snack to pair with a cup of coffee or tea. Bohulu cake is often a choice as a souvenir or dish at family events. This cake also has various flavors, although the most famous is its soft sweet taste.
2. Kuih Bakar Kuala Ina: Baked Cake with Sharp Spices
Kuih Bakar Kuala Ina is almost similar to kuih bohulu, but with a larger size. As the name suggests, this cake is baked using hot coals, which gives it a distinctive, sharper taste.
Usually, Kuala Ina baked cakes are enriched with spices, making the taste bolder and richer. As one of the Typical Malaysia Souvenirs, this cake is not only loved for its unique taste but also its slightly denser and chewier texture.
3. Kuih Ros: A Beautiful Typical Indian Cake
Kuih Ros is a cake similar to the famous kembang goyang in Indonesia, but in the Malaysian version, this cake is better known as Kuih Ros.
This cake comes from Indian tradition and is usually fried by shaking it to form a beautiful flower.
Made from wheat flour, this cake has a soft sweet taste and is often decorated with grated coconut sprinkled on top. Kuih Ros is very popular during celebrations or as a morning snack.
4. Kuih Seri Muka: Layer Cake with Fragrant Pandan Layer
Kuih Seri Muka is a layer cake consisting of two layers. The bottom layer is made from chewy white glutinous rice, while the top layer is made from a mixture of coconut milk and green pandan which gives it a sweet taste and distinctive fragrance.
Usually, Seri Muka kuih is served with grated coconut on top, giving it just the right savory taste. Its soft and chewy texture makes it very popular as a snack when relaxing or at special events.
5. Kuih Lapis: Layered Cake with Bright Colors
Kuih Lapis is a traditional Malaysian cake made from rice flour, coconut milk, sugar and natural food coloring. This cake has brightly colored layers that can be separated one by one, creating an attractive appearance.
The sweet and soft taste of the layered cake makes it perfect for special occasions or as a tea companion. Making this cake requires precision, especially in arranging the layers so that the appearance is perfect.
6. Kuih Ketayap: Rolled Cake with Brown Sugar Coconut Filling
Kuih Ketayap is a rolled cake made from rice flour, eggs, coconut milk and sugar. The filling of this cake is grated coconut mixed with brown sugar, creating a sweet and savory taste that is appetizing.
Kuih Ketayap is usually green in color, thanks to the addition of natural coloring from pandan leaves. This cake is perfect to enjoy as an afternoon snack, with a soft texture on the outside and chewy on the inside.
7. Kuih Bingka Ubi: Baked Cake with a Chewy Texture
Kuih Bingka Ubi is a typical Malaysian baked cake made from grated cassava, coconut milk, eggs, sugar and butter. This cake has a chewy texture and a distinctive sweet taste, making it a favorite at various events.
Usually, Bingka Ubi cake is decorated with a sprinkling of sesame seeds on top to provide a savory taste that contrasts with the sweetness of the cassava. This cake is often served in small, easy-to-eat pieces.
8. Kuih Apam Balik: Pancakes Filled with Peanuts and Sweet Corn
Kuih Apam Balik is a type of pancake made from wheat flour, eggs, coconut milk, and sugar. This cake has a filling of chopped peanuts, sweet corn, and powdered sugar that gives it a sweet and savory taste.
On the outside, Kuih Apam Balik has a crispy texture, while the inside is soft and chewy. This cake is very popular as a snack or market snack, which is easy to find in various corners of Malaysia.
9. Kuih Kapit: Crispy Heart-Shaped Chips
Kuih Kapit is a traditional Malaysian snack made from a mixture of flour and eggs, then baked in a special mold until it becomes thin, heart-shaped chips.
Kuih Kapit has a crunchy texture and sweet taste, making it a popular snack during certain celebrations. Usually, this cake is served in practical packaging and is often bought as a souvenir.
10. Kaya Bread: Toasted Bread with Sweet Srikaya Filling
Kaya bread is one of the most famous Malaysian snacks. Although it looks simple, this bread has a very delicious taste thanks to the srikaya filling, which is a sweet jam made from coconut and eggs.
Usually, kaya bread is served in the form of toast that is crispy on the outside, while the filling inside is very soft and sweet. This bread is very easy to find in local coffee shops and is a favorite of many people, both locals and tourists.
Malaysia offers a variety of traditional cakes that are not only mouth-watering but also reflect the country’s rich culture and culinary traditions.
From sweet, savory, to chewy, each cake has its own uniqueness and is worth a try. As a Typical Malaysian Food, these delightful cakes showcase the rich culinary heritage of the country.
So, be sure to try these Malaysian cakes when you visit, and don’t forget to bring some home as souvenirs!