The Different Types Of Rojak You Can Find In Malaysia

For more information on Malaysian cuisine check out our top Malaysian Streetfood picks.

Rojak is a beloved term in Malaysia. It literally means mixed and that is exactly what Malaysia is. It’s a country that is made from diversity and thrives on it as well. This is clearly seen in our food and the way we cook. We use ingredients that was introduced to us from different cultures to enhance flavours and while there are arguments here and there, we can all agree that Malaysian food kicks some serious butt!

So, it’s of no surprise that we actually have a dish called rojak! While rojak originated from Indonesia where it’s called rujak, over in Malaysia we have added variety to this traditional Indonesian dish. Over here, we have Rojak Mamak, Rojak Buah and Rojak Penang.

Rojak Mamak is also known as Pasembur, contains tofu, cut up prawn fritter, hard boiled eggs, boiled potatoes, bean sprouts, cuttlefish and slices of cucumber which is then drenched in a delicious caramel like spicy peanut sauce.

Rojak Buah is a more common street food option as you’ll see this at almost every night market. It consists of fruits (buah) such as sliced cucumber, pineapple, deep fried tofu, unripe mangoes, and green apples. While this is what you will commonly see, every seller will have their own variation of fruits to choose from. The dressing is made from shrimp paste, chili, sugar and lime juice. Once again, this may vary according to the seller as some also use prawn past, tamarind or even black bean paste as well. Finally, it is topped with crushed peanuts to give you that satisfying crunch.

The final type is called Rojak Penang and as the name suggests, it is commonly found in Penang. While it is similar to the Rojak Buah, it has some additions such as guava, squid fritters, water guava as well as honey.
All three can be found at night markets but that also varies on which market you are going to. So, make sure to do your research and talk to your seller on which kind of rojak they are selling. Selamat Makan!