Local Delicacies In Kuantan

Like most of the areas in Malaysia the state of Pahang has benefited from the integration of culture and you will be sure to find a variety of delicious Malay, Chinese and Indian foods. And if you go to the town of Kuantan you will be sure to find great seafood to savor. If you are in the mood for some international flavors then you need not fear as there are many food and beverage outlets located throughout the township that offers you this choice. If you go further up north which is another state called Terengganu, there you will be able to find more local dishes of Malay origin.

There are many ways of getting to Kuantan if you plan to drive there from Kuala Lumpur you can use the scenic East Coast Expressway which will take you about two and a half hour. If you are not up to the long drive you can opt to take the airplane from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Kuantan Airport. Airasia does not fly to Kuantan so the only option for travelers at this time is only Malaysian Airlines, when you have arrived at the airport you can take the taxi to the city centre it will take approximately 15-20 minutes for you to reach there. However if you do plan to drive it will take you approximately about 4 hours from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan via the inland Karak-Highway. Driving to Kuantan will definitely offer you a very unique experience as you pass through the scenic views that you will only find at the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and if you have the opportunity be sure to stop at the historic towns to experience its charm and wonder.

The following is a list of foods that you must try when you visit Kuantan and this includes Laksa Pahang. This is mainly a Malay dish that consists of thick rice vermicelli that is topped with seafood gravy. The gravy is usually made using mackerel and another ingredient that you will find in the Laksa Pahang is that of coconut milk that gives this soup based dish an extremely rich taste. Nasi Periuk Kera which is a special dish that is indigenous to the communities of Pahang, the dish is named as so because it is simply rice cooked in a pitcher plant which is basically a jar-shaped plant that preys on insects where the Malay name is periuk kera, hence Nasi Periuk Kera.

Keropok which is a popular fried snack that is very famous in both the states of Pahang and Terengganu. You will find that the little fishing communities that are located on the shore line are the ones that will make the best keropok as compared to the ones that have been mass produced. The tasty snack is made using fresh fish that have been caught in the sea; they are then grounded into paste. After that the paste is mixed with sago before they are put out to dry. Once that process is over, it is then fried to become crispy chips; however you should take note that the size and texture of the keropok will depend on the locality that it originated from.

Nasi dagang or literally translated in English as trader’s rice is a dish that is made using both steamed and glutinous rice. It is then served with other type of dishes and curry. Make sure you try this particular dish and ask to spicy tuna fish curry and pickled vegetables to accompany your rice. Another dish that is a must try in Kuantan is that of Laksam, which is very similar to that of Laksa Pahang. The dough is made using wheat and rice flour and it is then steamed. After that it is cut or torn and served with gravy, where the gravy is made using the meat of the fish that has been boiled, pureed and mixed with coconut milk.

And of course there is the seafood that is offered in abundance no matter where you go; depending on which type of restaurant you are going to the seafood will be cooked using recipes of either Malay, Chinese or Indian origin.