2017, for better or worse, saw the rise of the nasi lemak burger, cheesecakes, salted egg yolk chips, the increasing popularity of Korean fried chicken and more. Come rewind time and start your cravings all over again.

1. Korean Fried Chicken

Tatler Asia

Our love of Fried Chicken shows no signs of slowing down, with a wave of new Korean fried chicken joints popping up all over the Klang Valley every now and then. Eateries that have been winning over fans in Singapore have spread to Malaysia this year, with restaurants like Chicken Up and 4 Fingers alongside homegrown option The Cafe Chicken reflecting our demand for crunchy delicious pieces of fried bird. Checkout our fried chicken roundup here.

2. Cheesecake

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Huckleberry Food & Fare

Another item that seemed to have Malaysians flocking by the numbers this year for a taste is cheesecake, with The Tokyo Restaurant and Birch/Huckleberry Food & Fare leading the charge. These cheesecakes are winning big because they differ from the more common New York styled variant. For those who missed out, here's our list of cheesecakes you need to try.

3. Nasi Lemak Burger

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of myBurgerLab

Originating in Singapore but blown to new levels in Malaysia, this was one food that everybody couldn't seem to stop talking about this year because it hit so close to home. During peak nasi lemak burger craze, we spoke to one of myBurgerLab's co-founders to speak about about the fad. Come find out what he had to say about the hottest food item of the year.

4. Bars Dedicated To One Spirit

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Shaffiq Farhan/Malaysia Tatler

Whisky may be a timeless choice but the rise of gin and rum bars this year mirrors the Malaysian drinker's demand for new ways to enjoy spirits that they've recently begun to appreciate. JungleBird and Pahit are two clear examples of new bars built around a single spirit. Checkout our list of specialty bars here.

5. Salted Egg Yolk Chips

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Irvins Salted Egg

Marry what you love about salted egg yolk foods with the crunchiness of potato chips and you've got another hit. Like the nasi lemak burger, it was kickstarted by a Singaporean brand and after reaching maximum buzz, was taken up by a number of home grown brands to meet the ravenous demand of the Malaysian appetite. Brands like Kintry and the Golden Duck Co seem to be stand outs, but visit any flea market or pasar malam and you are bound to find a jar for sale.

6. Yakiniku & Yakitori

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Yakiniku Toraji

Malaysians love Japanese foods and this year saw a rise in yakitori and yakiniku joints around the Klang Valley. Although they sound similar, yakitori referes to meats and vegetables cooked on a skewer, whereas yakiniku is Japanese BBQ on a hot plate. Restaurants like Yakiniku TorajiShin Nihon and Butaya Izakaya are clear examples of the growing trend, which shows no signs of slowing down. Chargrilled meats paired with cold beer, it's no wonder this proved to be a big hit this year.

7. Indian Foods With Pork

Tatler Asia

Pork was never a staple ingredient of Indian cuisine found in Malaysia, but this all changes this year with the advent of restaurants like Anneh and Meat The Porkers. Feast on dishes like pork briyani and pork curry to taste a side of Indian food you never knew you wanted. 

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