The Unexpected Country With The Best Food In The World, According To Samantha Brown

When thinking of a country with the best food in the world, we're betting Italy comes to mind. Or perhaps you're more into sophisticated France? Or maybe you love the spicy flavors of Thailand or Japan's mind-blowing fresh sushi? There are heaps of foodie countries that have put their cuisine on the map. But Samantha Brown's pick for the country with the best food in the world is one you might not expect. Speaking to Wonderlust, Brown was asked the question, "Where have you had the best food?" Her answer was unexpected: "Easily Malaysia. I loved Malaysia."

TV travel host Samantha Brown has been almost everywhere, so we trust her opinions on pretty much everything travel-related. When Brown says one country easily has the best food in the world, we're going to bet she's right and prepare our stomachs for the best foodie vacation of our lives. But for many Americans, Brown's pick of Malaysia is a bit of an unknown. The country doesn't attract the scores of tourists that places like Italy or Japan do. So, what is Malaysian food? And where should you go in the country to try it?

You might be surprised that Samantha Brown didn't pick Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, as the country's top place to eat. Instead, Brown chose Penang, an island off Malaysia's northwest coast. Penang is a must-visit destination in Malaysia, famous not just for its food but also for its winding colonial streets and delightful street art (though you won't find any Airbnbs in this tourist-friendly city). To understand why Brown picked Penang, let's take a short detour into the island's history.

Penang lies in the Strait of Malacca and became an important trading port in the 19th century, particularly for China and India. George Town, the capital, was one of the world's great cosmopolitan cities. As traders from all over Asia settled there, they brought their food. Penang became and remains a city with incredible, authentic food from all over Asia.

To tuck into Penang's food scene, visit one of George Town's hawker centers, where many street vendors gather under one roof. Some of our top dishes are char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles) and asam laksa, a slightly sour version of Malaysia's spicy noodle soup. Laksa is an example of Peranakan food, blending Chinese and Malaysian influences. To taste the Indian influence, order roti canai, a flatbread influenced by Tamil immigrants to the country. Whether you get it stuffed or as an accompaniment, this delicious bread will win you over. Once you've eaten what Penang has to offer, you can head off to one of Malaysia's most breathtaking islands.

Your list of mouthwatering dishes to try in Malaysia will be endless. Here are a few more of our top picks, whether you're in Penang or exploring one of Malaysia's other cities. Incredible bites are everywhere! If you eat only one thing in Malaysia, make it nasi lemak. The star of nasi lemak is rice cooked in coconut milk, which is served with a variety of sides, including sambals, meats, peanuts, and cucumber. If the country had a national dish, this would be it.

Another must-eat nasi (rice) dish is nasi kerabu. This curious dish has blue rice (from crushed telang flowers) and is served with coconut and spicy fish sauce. Another Malaysian meal many people know is rendang. Often mistakenly called a curry, rendang is, in fact, more like a stew, with meat simmered in coconut milk and spices for hours. Beef rendang is the most popular, though it can also be made with other meats.

If you're in Kuala Lumpur and want to try a little bit of everything, go to Jalan Alor, a bustling street lined with hawker stalls. Here, you can get most of Malaysia's classic street food, including laksa and char kway teow, as well as an array of grilled and fried meats and vegetables in flavorful spices and sauces. You can cap off your stay in Malaysia's capital by dining in the sky at the Horizon Grill.