Food you can easily find in Malaysia that is perfect for rainy weather

Nothing speaks louder to Malaysians during the rainy season than comfort food.

While Malaysia does have typical rainy periods, living in the tropics, we've come to accept that rain is a part of life, and the weather forecast may not be entirely accurate. What looks like a sunny day could easily turn into a wetter one in a flash.

That said, despite the grey skies and varying degrees of downpour, we can always count on our delicious local food to keep us warm in this cool weather.

So, if for some reason you're not familiar with these items, here is a list of different foods and beverages perfect for the rainy season, and let us know in the comments on Facebook or Twitter if you agree or disagree with the items featured.

Milo

When the famous Milo truck showed up at this year's Merdeka parade, it definitely took some of us back to our childhood.

One of my favourite school memories is when the Milo truck came by and gave each student a small cup of Milo at the end of sports day.

While people enjoy these beverages during their "lepak" sessions with friends and family at local eateries, you can also purchase powdered Milo at supermarkets.

An added benefit is being able to sneak into the kitchen and steal mouthfuls of Milo powder whenever you want.

Teh Tarik

Another popular beverage amongst locals is teh tarik (pulled tea).

You might be curious about what sets teh tarik apart from regular milk tea.

First, it is much creamier and richer because condensed milk is used instead of regular milk.

Also, the "pulling" process makes the drink lighter and foamier, which makes it taste even better.

Although you can find pulled tea almost anywhere that serves local cuisine, the Indian Muslim restaurants (mamak) are thought to serve the best.

Roti Bakar

This iconic comfort food, combined with a hot cup of teh tarik or Milo, makes delight.

The "Kaya toast" (Roti Bakar) consists of kaya and butter between two pieces of toast.

Although Roti Bakar is typically served for breakfast, I think the best time to eat them is when you're hungry, just a little hungry or not that hungry at all.

For those who are more adventurous, and would like something less traditional, there are places where you can get variations of this Malaysian staple with a more modern touch.

Laksa

For some, there is nothing is more comforting on a rainy day than a hot bowl of spicy laksa.

While laksa may be known to the rest of the world as a type of noodle dish, nearly every state in the nation has its own variation, including Sarawak Laksa, Kelantan Laksa, and Nyonya Laksa.

The dish is usually made with thick rice noodles and toppings like chicken, shrimp, or fish. Most kinds of laksa are made with a rich, spicy coconut soup or a broth with sour assam.

Though I'm not picky about where I get my laksa, the assam laksa from Penang (assam comes from the Malay word for tamarind, asam) is some of the best I've had.

And not to brag, but Anthony Bourdain gushed about this local dish in an episode of his travel show No Reservations, referring to it as "the breakfast of Gods" and saying, "Every time I come to Malaysia, there's one thing I gotta eat... laksa."

Bubur (porridges)

This coconut milk-based, occasionally sweet soup is made of vegetables, meat, and coconut milk.

Bubur comes in many variations, including Bubur Teochew, a rice porridge usually served plain or with sweet potato alongside a variety of small side dishes.

Another is Bubur Lambuk, which is most often eaten during the fasting month of Ramadan, but it's so tasty that you can eat it any time of the year.

You can easily find bubur vendors in most parts of the city, whether it be from local porridge vendors or even in the mornings from fast food outlets like McDonald's, KFC, and Marrybrown.

Ramly burger

This greasy, messy street food has a soft spot in every Malaysian's heart.

The egg-wrapped patty in between two buns with a generous helping of sauce is hard to turn down, and is the perfect soul food.

The burger comes in variations which include shredded cabbage, cucumbers, tomato slices, and cheese. The usual patties are either beef or chicken, though there are variations with fish or prawn at certain stalls.

If you were to ask any Malaysian, they would tell you that the burgers from the Ramly stand near their home are the best they've ever had, and we won't argue with that.

Maggie

Maggie is the pinnacle of Malaysian "Makan" culture.

You can enjoy it with friends at a nearby Mamak, or pick up a pack and prepare your bowl of noodle goodness with vegetables, eggs, and meat in the comfort of your home. Perfect for staying at home during rainy weather!

And regardless if you choose to top it with a fried egg or flood it with curry, this meal of instant noodles is guaranteed to make your heart happy.

You can also find Maggie Cups in any supermarket or mart and choose from the different flavours, including Tom Yam, Curry, and Laksa.

Nasi Lemak (coconut milk rice)

Surely, some of you might have been looking at this list, wondering where this legendary dish was. Well, we saved the best for last!

Among Malaysian foodies, this dish usually reigns first among all other dishes, and it's not hard to see why.

And, despite the title of this piece, nasi lemak can be eaten at any time of the day and is perfect for any weather (please don't tell your friend you're rejecting nasi lemak because you read an article saying it was comfort food for a rainy day).

A traditional nasi lemak dish consists of coconut milk rice, served with sambal, fried crispy anchovies (ikan bilis), toasted peanuts, and cucumber, which can send anyone into a food coma.

The verdict is still out regarding where the best nasi lemak is; some place could be said to have the most fragrant rice, while another might have the best sambal. Similar to Ramly burgers, everyone has their favourite in this country.

This list surely does not do justice to all the other unique local cuisines that comfort us during the monsoon season, but it's a good start if you're stuck watching the rain drops fall.

Huda Hekmat is an educator, content writer, and Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. She is currently doing her masters in Educational Psychology. When she isn't teaching, writing, or trying to armbar her fellow gym mates, you can find her reading a thriller, watching a stand-up comedy, or on the hunt to find the best nasi lemak in KL.

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