Malaysia has claimed 29th place in the latest TasteAtlas “100 Best Cuisines in the World” rankings, placing well above regional neighbour Singapore, which finished 90th on the list released this week. The rankings — part of the global TasteAtlas World Food Awards — celebrate the diversity and quality of national food cultures based on extensive user-driven ratings and expert validation.
TasteAtlas — a Croatia-based interactive food encyclopedia — compiles its world cuisine rankings by aggregating hundreds of thousands of user ratings from verified food enthusiasts across the globe. Dishes and food products are scored on quality, popularity and cultural significance, with systems in place to filter out bot, nationalist or unreliable contributions. The results are designed to reflect broad global preferences rather than a single objective measure of taste.
Malaysia’s top favourites contributed to the country’s strong showing in the global rankings. Leading the way among local dishes were:
Sarawak Laksa – Celebrated for its rich, tangy broth and distinctive spice blend, it emerged as the top Malaysian dish in the TasteAtlas rankings.
Nasi Lemak – Often dubbed the nation’s unofficial national dish, this fragrant coconut rice dish served with sambal, anchovies, and peanuts came in second.
Roti Canai – The flaky, pan-fried flatbread beloved across Malaysia earned strong ratings for its texture and versatility — portraying local comfort food at its best was third.
On the beverage front, Malaysian drinks also earned top spots. Ipoh white coffee was crowned the highest-rated drink, followed by sirap bandung — a rose-flavoured milk drink — and the iconic teh tarik. These beverages are staples in local kopitiams (traditional coffee shops) and social dining settings across the country.
TasteAtlas draws on over 395,000 dish ratings and more than 115,000 food product ratings in its 2023–24 world cuisine awards, benchmarking national food cultures based on the aggregated scores of their best-rated foods. Italy and Japan continue to top the global rankings with exceptionally high average scores, but Malaysia’s placement among the top 30 highlights its growing recognition as a culinary destination on the world stage.
The lists have become a reference point for food travellers and culinary enthusiasts. Malaysia’s high placement is likely to boost interest among international visitors seeking authentic local flavours.
Food culture experts note that Malaysian cuisine’s diversity — rooted in Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous traditions — gives it a unique edge in international comparisons. Street food classics like laksa and roti canai resonate with travellers, while drinks such as teh tarik and Ipoh white coffee reflect regional brewing traditions that have gained global followings.
