In multiracial Malaysia, every type of cooking from southeast Asia can be tasted. Malay food concentrates on subtleties of taste using a blend of spices, ginger, coconut milk and peanuts. There are many regional types of Chinese cooking including Cantonese, Peking, Hakka, Sichuan and Taiwanese. Indian and Indonesian food is also popular. Korean, Thai and western food are available in restaurants throughout the country. Although the country is largely Islamic, alcohol is widely available.

Things to know: Table service is normal, and chopsticks are customary in Chinese restaurants. Indian and Malay food is traditionally eaten with the fingers, but western cutlery is generally used. Set lunches, usually with four courses, are excellent value for money.

National specialities:
• Sambal (a paste of ground chilli, onion and tamarind) is often used as a garnish or dip.
• Char Kway Teow (a dish of fried rice noodles with meat or fish) is a very popular and cheap quick meal.
• Ikan bilis (dried anchovies) are eaten with drinks.
• Satay (consists of a variety of meats, often chicken, barbecued on small skewers and served with a spicy peanut dipping sauce and a salad of cucumber, onion and compressed rice cakes).
• Gula Malacca (a firm sago pudding in palm sugar sauce).

National drinks: 
• Locally brewed beers such as Tiger and Anchor. 
• The famous Singapore gin sling.
• Sugar cane juice.

Tipping: 10% service charge and 5% government tax are usually included in bills, and added to the menu prices.

Kuala Lumpur has a good selection of reputable nightclubs and discos, most belonging to the big hotels. Nightclubs generally stay open until 0500 or 0600 and usually request a cover charge which includes the first drink free. Many of Kuala Lumpur's bars have a happy hour, offering two drinks for the price of one, between 1700-2000/2100. Bintang Walk is a lively spot and has a good selection of alfresco bars and coffee shops.

Penang is also lively at night, larger hotels having cocktail lounges, dining, dancing and cultural shows. There are night markets in most towns, including both Kuala Lumpur and Penang Chinatown. Malay and Chinese films often have English subtitles and there are also English films. The national lottery and Malaysia's only casino at Genting Highlands are government-approved and visitors are not supposed to gamble elsewhere.

Shopping in Malaysia ranges from exclusive department stores to street markets. Bargaining is expected in the markets, unless fixed prices are displayed. Kuala Lumpur is a popular shopping destination, rivalling Singapore and Hong Kong. Suria KLCC, a shopping mall with a spectacular fountain, gardens and a beautiful piazza, houses a great selection of leading couture outlets. Times Square, the city's largest mall, the new Pavilion complex, Star Hill and Lot 10 are popular shopping centres. The islands of Labuan and Langkawi are duty-free zones. Cameras, pens, watches, cosmetics, perfume and electronic goods are available duty-free throughout Malaysia. Malaysian speciality goods include Royal Selangor pewter, silverware and brassware, batik, jewellery, pottery and songket brocade. Enquire at Malaysian Royal Customs and Excise about claiming cashback on duty-free goods.

Shopping hours: Most shops keep their own opening hours, usually within the range of 1000-2200.