Kelantan, located in Peninsular Malaysia's north-east, is known as the "Land of Lightning," which also refers to an agrarian state with green paddy fields, rustic fishing villages, and casuarina-lined beaches.
Kelantanese culture differs slightly from Malay culture in the rest of the peninsula due to Kelantan's relative isolation and largely rural lifestyle. The arts, customs, dialects, and cuisine all reflect this. We've compiled a list of unique Kelantanese foods that are also delicious.
1. Nasi Tumpang
Nasi tumpang is a popular rice dish that originated in Kelantan. The rice with various layers of dishes wrapped in a banana leaf cone shape. Nasi Tupe is a term used by Kelantanese to describe this dish. It is tightly packed with an omelette, beef or fish floss, shrimp or fish local curry, sweet sambal gravy, and cucumbers. There are two ways to eat nasi tumpang: with a spoon and layer by layer, or crumble and mix it all together.
Nasi Tumpang is now available at one of Kota Bharu's most well-known restaurants, the Kedai Kopi White House in the town centre.
Address: 1329-L, Jalan Sultanah Zainab, 15050, Kota Bharu, Kelantan (Google Maps)
Operation Hours: Everyday (8am- 1pm), (9pm- 1am)
2. Roti Titab
When visiting Kelantan, you must try the Roti Titab. It appears straightforward, with basic ingredients such as bread, butter, kaya, and egg. Nonetheless, tourists and even locals are enamoured with it and will return for more. The owner of Kopitiam Kita patented Roti Titab to prevent other stalls from selling the same dish and to ensure that visitors can enjoy the original taste of Roti Titab.
The ONLY place you can find Roti Titab is at Kopitiam Kita
Address: 1329-L, Jalan Sultanah Zainab, 15050, Kota Bharu, Kelantan (Google Maps)
Operation Hours: Everyday (8am- 1pm), (9pm- 1am)
3. Nasi Kak Wok
If you ask a Kelantanese what nasi Kak Wok is, they will most likely mention the crispy, tender, and served hot fried chicken cut into small pieces with gravy curry sauce. This dish was created by the late Kak Wok, real name Mek Wok Bt Hassan, and she passed down the recipe from generation to generation until now.
In Kelantan, there are only six stalls that serve the original recipe of Nasi Kak Wok. Jalan Telipot, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Bandar Baru Kubang Kerian, Pasir Hor, Bandar Satelit Pasir Tumboh, and Taman Sari are the addresses.
Find Nasi Kak Wok (Original) at:
Address: Jalan Masjid Lundang, 15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan. (Google Maps)
Operation Hours: Sunday- Friday (7.30am- 2.30pm), Close on Saturday.
4. Khao Jam
Khao Jam (Khao Yam) is a dish that evolved from Nasi Kerabu (a popular dish in Kelantan) and was influenced by Thai cuisine. Except for the colour of the rice, Khao Jam is similar to Nasi Kerabu. It has a green colour, whereas Nasi Kerabu has a blue colour. They will use a combination of local and Thai rice to make Khao Jam. This is due to the high viscosity of Thai rice. Don't be fooled by the colours of the rice; this dish will blow your mind!
To taste delicious Khao Jam, you may visit Khao Jam Mea Thong.
Address: Jalan Terbok - Kelaboran Belukar, 16200 Tumpat, Kelantan (Google Maps)
Operation Hour: Everyday 7am-5pm
5. Laksam
Laksam Laksei (Laksang) is a popular dish in Kelantan and Terengganu. It's made with rice flour and served with gravy. The rice flour dough is covered with a lid to prepare the dish. When it has hardened, it will be rolled up to length and ready to serve after being cut into pieces.
What do you think of the taste of laksam in comparison to what we usually eat, laksa? Let's give it a shot at Restoran By-T Laksam Special.
Address: Jalan Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kampung Belukar Lanjut Kumumin,16100 Kota Bharu, Kelantan. (Google Maps)
Operation Hours: Sunday- Friday (3pm-10.30pm), Saturday Closed.
6. Ayam Percik Kelantan
What distinguishes and differentiate Ayam Percik Kelantan from other states' ayam percik? It's the condiment. The sauce for ayam percik in Kelantan is white in colour, and the flavour is thicker than the average ayam percik sauce. Some travellers believe that eating ayam percik with nasi kerabu Kelantan is more appetising.
So, let's give this combination a shot at Yati Ayam Percik.
Address: Jalan Long Yunus, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan. (Google Maps)
Operation Hours: Everyday (12pm-11.30pm)
7. Nasi Ulam
Nasi ulam is a fusion of Malay cuisine, Indonesian cuisine, and southern Thai cuisine. Cold boiled rice is mixed with shredded herbs such as daun kaduk (wild pepper leaf), pucuk gajus (cashew leaf shoots), onions, and others. Other spices, such as kerisik, are also used. Shredded fried fish is occasionally added.
Where can you get the BEST nasi ulam in Kelantan? Restoran Nasi Ulam Cikgu Kg. Kraftangan is now open.
Address: Kampung Kraftangan, Jalan Hilir Kota, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15300 Kota Bharu, Kelantan (Google Maps)
Operation Hours: Saturday- Thurs (10.30am- 5pm), Friday Closed.
8. Maggi Ketam
Maggi is now a staple food in every household because it is inexpensive and simple to obtain. But have you ever had Maggi with crab? Mixing a cheap ol' Maggi with an expensive crustacean sounds unusual and out of the ordinary - but have you ever wondered how it tastes? This delectable delicacy is easily available in Kelantan.
Alemy Maggi Ketam serves the freshest and best maggi ketam.
Address: Jalan Semerak, Pekan Cherang Ruku, 16700 Cherang Ruku, Kelantan. (Google Maps)
Operation Hours: Everyday (5pm-2am)
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