15 Malaysian-Inspired Plant-Based Recipes That Are Too Good Not To Try!

It might seem like it would be difficult to eat some international foods on a plant-based diet, but really, it’s pretty easy! You can go ahead and substitute the meat for tofu or tempeh, and always double check that the seasonings and toppings are vegan. These recipes are all inspired by Malaysian cuisine, and are mouthwateringly delicious! If you’ve been wanting to experiment with some new recipes, or finally have some Malaysian recipes at your fingertips, you must try these! Don’t forget to check out these recipes and many more on our Food Monster App!

1. Kuih Talam: Malaysian Pumpkin and Coconut Layered Cake

Source: Kuih Talam: Malaysian Pumpkin and Coconut Layered Cake

These Kuih Talam: Malaysian Pumpkin and Coconut Layered Cakes by Daphne Goh are as colorful as they are delicious. Kuih talam is a Southeast Asian cake that is very popular in the region. This recipe replaces some of the traditional flours to make the cake gluten-free. These little cakes make for an impressive dish when you’re entertaining guests.

2. Pandan Kaya Buns: Malaysian Custard-Stuffed Steamed Buns

Source: Pandan Kaya Buns: Malaysian Custard-Stuffed Steamed Buns

Kaya is sweet and has a curd-like rich creamy texture just like custard and it means “rich” in Malay language. So needless to say these Pandan Kaya Buns by Daphne Goh are decadent. The creamy coconut kaya wrapped in a soft, tasty bun makes for the perfect sweet treat.

3. Roti Jala: Malaysian Lace Pancakes

Source: Roti Jala: Malaysian Lace Pancakes

Roti Jala visually quite striking; the beautiful golden color from turmeric. As it comes out of the stove, it’s quite crisp, but over time, gets soft, almost like a piece of rolled silk. Serve these Roti Jala: Malaysian Lace Pancakes by Tina Dawson hot with curry for dipping.

4. Karipap: Malaysian Curry Empanadas

Source: Karipap: Malaysian Curry Empanadas

These Karipap: Malaysian Curry Empanadas by Daphne Goh are widely available at Malay or Indian street food stalls, cafés, and marketplaces. In Malaysia, curry puffs are a snack enjoyed by every person of all ages. They are usually eaten for breakfast, as afternoon snacks, or as entrée. They are also perfect as finger food for parties and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

5. Malaysian Butternut Squash Laksa

Source: Malaysian Butternut Squash Laksa

Laksa is a spicy noodle soup, popular in both Chinese and Malaysian cuisine. A good laksa broth is balanced by warm spices, spicy chili peppers, creamy coconut milk, fresh lemongrass, and a squeeze of lime juice. This Malaysian Butternut Squash Laksa by Maikki Vasala incorporates roasted butternut squash, making this noodle dish ideal for cold days.

6. Char Kway Teow: Malaysian Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

Source: Char Kway Teow: Malaysian Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

This Char Kway Teow: Malaysian Stir-Fried Rice Noodles by Rosalie Livingstone is savory and salty and comes together fairly easily. Although the original version of this dish contains lots of meat and egg-based ingredients, this version is just as delicious.

7. Murtabak: A Malaysian Treat

Source: Murtabak: A Malaysian Treat

This delicious Murtabak (a Malaysian treat) by Vaishali Honawar is typically made by stuffing minced meat, usually lamb, and eggs inside the folds of a paper-thin flatbread. This vegan version with vegan sausage, is cooked with a mixture of spices and onions. Contrasted with the crispy-thin overlay of bread, it is deliciousness itself.

8. Nasi Goreng Cina: Malaysian Fried Rice

Source: Nasi Goreng Cina: Malaysian Fried Rice

Molly Patrick‘s Malaysian Fried Rice is one of the easiest things to whip up. The most important part of this recipe is the ginger, garlic, onions, and the sauce. Apart from that, it’s versatile. If you have other veggies in your fridge that you need to use, feel free to add them or substitute them for any of the veggies in this recipe. You can also make your rice a day ahead. It not only saves time but day old rice has a nice texture because it is dryer than rice right after it is cooked, which helps absorb the flavors more.

9. Seitan Satay With Spicy Peanut Sauce

Source: Seitan Satay With Spicy Peanut Sauce

This is a delectable veganized version of chicken satay that far surpasses the stuff you would get out of a grubby paper delivery bag. This homemade Seitan Satay With Spicy Peanut Sauce by Johanne Rosenthal is smokey, moist, and delicious and the spicy peanut sauce is creamy and delicious – plus it doubles as a marinade for the seitan so there’s less work for you.

10. Spicy Curry Laksa

Source: Spicy Curry Laksa

Laksa is a spicy rice noodle soup that’s popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries. There are many different regional varieties of this soup, but curry laksa is distinct for being especially rich and savory thanks to the use of coconut milk. This Spicy Curry Laksa by Tiana Haines is simple to make, nourishing, and full of fresh, vibrant flavors. You have to try it!

11. Tofu Skewers With Peanut Satay

Source: Tofu Skewers With Peanut Satay

If you’ve never tried satay sauce, then you need to try it with tofu. It’s creamy and savory and spicy, yet sweet. For these Tofu Skewers With Peanut Satay by Yana Chistyakova, the tofu is marinated in satay sauce, then baked or fried until lightly browned. These are perfect for dinner at home or as an appetizer at parties.

12. Singaporean Pineapple Tarts

Source: Singaporean Pineapple Tarts

Pineapple tarts are a Southeast Asian treat that originates from Malaysia and Singapore. It is usually eaten during the Lunar Chinese New Year Celebration. This utterly delicious, buttery, soft, flaky pastry filled with caramelized pineapple jam can be found in all shapes and forms. For these Singaporean Pineapple Tarts by Zoe and Mia Lau , the rich pastry case made from almond flour and tapioca flour and is complemented perfectly by a homemade spiced, fruit jam making this an elegant and delicious treat to share with family and friends.

13. Kari Laksa

Source: Kari Laksa

“Kari” is curry in the Malay language. Each country and state has its own version of laksa and ingredients and each argue that theirs is the best version. However you eat laksa, you know you got your laksa recipe down when you or your guests start slurping, wiping their brow, and getting runny noses throughout the meal. This Kari Laksa by Molly Patrick promises all of the above.

14. Tofu Satay

Source: Tofu Satay

Satay is a grilled Malaysian dish. This grilled tofu satay is a fresh and creative dish to include in your spring and summer cookouts. For this Tofu Satay by Sheil Shukla, sliced tofu is marinated in a spicy curry sauce and then grilled until it’s a little crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Serve with fresh or pickled veggies and Thai curry on the side, or skewer additional vegetables and grill them, to keep things simple.

15. Golden Pineapple Curry

Source: Golden Pineapple Curry

The inspiration for this dish hails from Malaysia. Traditionally served with prawns and made with plenty of oil, this version is oil free and uses tofu (because tofu is boss). Any dish in Malaysia or Indonesia that has the word “Lemak” in it is guaranteed to be rich and delicious. This Golden Pineapple Curry by Molly Patrick is no exception.

If it’s more recipes you’re after, check out these recipes and thousands more by downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone! The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes and subscribers get access to new recipes every day.

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