A restaurant menu should be built based on what your customers want. Sometimes you might think that a specific dish will work for you, but that doesn’t. You need strong numbers to back up your decisions. So recently, I was reading an article that was published by a news agency in Malaysia and I came across an article. This article was a summary of a report published by FoodPanda. They published the most ordered dishes in Malaysia in 2024. I strongly think that these items should be on your restaurant menu to attract and impress your customers. Read more to find out what Malaysians like to eat.
Roti Canai: A Timeless Favorite
For the second year in a row, roti canai has claimed the top spot as the most-ordered dish on Foodpanda Malaysia. This isn’t just a random trend—roti canai is deeply ingrained in Malaysia’s breakfast culture. In 2024, it was also recognized on Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The buttery, flaky goodness of roti canai is not only a favorite for breakfast but also enjoyed throughout the day. If this dish isn’t already on your menu, you’re missing out on a huge customer base. It’s versatile, can be paired with various curries, and is cost-effective to prepare. Adding it to your menu can attract customers who crave comfort food with a local touch.
Nasi Goreng Kampung: A Close Contender
Coming in at a close second is Nasi Goreng Kampung. This dish has been a staple in Malaysian households and restaurants for a long time. Its simple yet flavorful ingredients make it a go-to meal for many.
Customers love its balance of spicy, savory, and slightly smoky flavors. Having this dish on your menu shows that you understand local tastes. It’s also a dish that’s easy to customize, allowing you to cater to various dietary preferences. Whether it’s served plain or with additional proteins like chicken or prawns, nasi goreng kampung is a crowd-pleaser that deserves a spot on your food menu.
The Rise of Milo: Malaysia’s Comfort Drink
No food menu is complete without beverages. In 2024, over 700,000 cups of Milo were ordered, enough to fill 24 swimming pools! Milo is more than just a drink—it’s a cultural icon. Its rich, chocolatey taste offers a comforting experience that customers of all ages enjoy.
Including Milo on your menu, whether as a hot drink or a chilled version, can boost your beverage sales. Many customers feel a connection to this drink because it’s nostalgic and versatile. If you’re looking to enhance your drinks menu, Milo is an easy win.
Essential Ingredients That can Help you Build your Restaurant Menu
While main dishes and beverages dominate, household staples like bread, eggs, whole chicken, and enoki mushrooms also saw a surge in demand. Over 500,000 loaves of bread and 160,000 cartons of eggs were ordered via Pandamart. This trend indicates that customers are drawn to items that are versatile and easy to integrate into their meals.
You can take inspiration from these trends. Consider how you can incorporate these ingredients into your menu offerings. For example, bread can be used for gourmet sandwiches, while eggs and mushrooms can feature in breakfast platters or stir-fried dishes. Paying attention to what type of menu items customers regularly seek can guide your planning.
The Power of Popular Chains
The top three restaurants in 2024 were McDonald’s, KFC, and Marrybrown. What do they have in common? Consistency and familiarity. Customers know what to expect from these brands, and that builds trust. While your restaurant may not be a global chain, you can still learn from them.
Offer consistency in the taste and quality of your dishes. If customers know they’ll get a great roti canai or nasi goreng kampung every time they visit, they’ll keep coming back. Consistency is key to building a loyal customer base.
Importance of Halal Certification
In 2024, Foodpanda’s Bekal service, which offers end-to-end halal-certified delivery, completed over 23 million deliveries. This highlights the importance of halal certification for many customers in Malaysia. If your restaurant isn’t already halal-certified, consider the potential benefits. It’s not just about meeting dietary requirements; it’s about showing that your food menu is inclusive and caters to a broader audience. If you want to be sure that the ingredients that you are ordering are halal certified then I would suggest you use Food Market Hub’s halal certification segregation feature. This will let you filter out those suppliers that are halal certified from those who aren’t making the ordering process easy for you.
Curating a Winning Restaurant Menu
Now that you know which dish was ordered the most and which beverages and ingredients are trending, it’s time to look at your own menu. Ask yourself:
- Are you offering dishes that align with current customer preferences?
- Do you have popular local dishes like roti canai and nasi goreng kampung?
- Is your beverage selection appealing and culturally relevant?
- Are you leveraging staples to create versatile and attractive meals?
Change your menu slowly and introduce small changes one at a time. Follow the trends and study the market to understand what your customers want. I’m sure that this report by FoodPanda can help you understand your customers better. Don’t neglect this data. Numbers speak for themself.
One last tip that I would recommend to you is to have EasyEat POS system. Since it’s clear that Malaysians love to order food, you need to have this system to segregate all your orders. EasyEat POS system will separate all your dine-in, takeaway, and delivery orders so that you don’t get confused. You can avoid the fury from your customers that they can face because of order mix-ups.
FAQs
- Which dish was ordered the most?
Roti canai was the most-ordered dish in Malaysia in 2024, reflecting its strong cultural significance and popularity.
- What type of menu do most restaurants use?
Most restaurants in Malaysia use a mix of traditional and modern dishes to cater to diverse customer preferences. Popular menus often include local favorites like roti canai and nasi goreng kampung alongside innovative options.
