The most popular and humble of all rotis, roti canai is made from three primary ingredients: flour, water and ghee. But don’t be fooled by its simplicity; its flavour packs a punch. The crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside texture is achieved through a skilful process of proofing and folding the dough to create layers before being flattened, tossed and cooked on a griddle. The result is a flaky flatbread that remains dense enough to dip into and soak up the accompanying lentil dahl or spicy curry of choice (fish is a favourite).

Eggs galore: roti telur / jantan / tampal / tsunami

Egg lovers will appreciate the many ways in which eggs can be incorporated into roti. A popular option is roti telur, which is folded and cooked with a cracked egg inside. Using two eggs would make it a roti jantan. For those who prefer a runny yolk, try roti tampal. It comes with a sunny side up egg plastered on top of the roti, oozing a golden yolk when sliced through. Or, go for the jugular and dig into a roti tsunami, famous for being drenched in dahl, curry and sambal with two soft-boiled eggs on the side, creating a glorious, yummy mess that’s hard to beat.

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Sweet theatrics: roti tisu

For a light and sweet variation that doubles as a visual spectacle, ask the waiter for a roti tisu – and prepare to hear some excited “oohs” and “aahhs” around the table when it arrives. As its name suggests, roti tisu (which means “tissue” in Malay) is a paper-thin version of roti canai rolled into a towering cone; the higher, the better, and the more cheers it receives. It comes drizzled with condensed milk and sprinkled with sugar, creating a crispy treat that feels as light as air. Great for sharing with friends, roti tisu is best enjoyed when torn into little pieces and eaten with your hands.

Stuffed selection: murtabak / roti Hawaii / roti Beckham

Substantial enough to constitute a full meal, murtabak is a stuffed roti variant of Arabic origins. While it is traditionally filled with spiced minced meat, egg, garlic and onions, murtabak is often given a creative spin with the addition of cheese and speciality sauces. A side of pickled vegetables and fresh cucumber pieces brightens up the dish with a burst of zestiness. Other stuffed renditions include roti Hawaii, a Restoran Murni invention that combines diced burger patties, sausages, pineapples and eggs topped with lashings of mayonnaise. Roti Beckham takes fusion flavours up a notch with fillings of tuna and turkey slices served with dahl and curry for an explosive taste. (Restoran Murni has never revealed why they named their roti after famous former English soccer player David Beckham, but we reckon it might have something to do with it being delicious.)

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Quirky creation: roti Maggi

Quite possibly the flatbread equivalent of the fluffy Japanese omelette and rice dish, omurice, roti Maggi is sheer delight, if not for its unique taste then certainly for its novelty and playful spin on two Malaysian favourites: roti canai and Maggi goreng (stir-fried instant noodles). Enclosed within a tightly wrapped roti are spicy and springy noodles seasoned with sweet soy sauce and a dry powder made from chilli, garlic, onion and paprika. Throw some tofu, chopped vegetables, curry, and a few squeezes of lime into the mix and the result is a tantalising meal.

Dessert picks: roti pisang / kaya / Milo

Roti pisang means ‘banana bread’, and just like the classic treat, it is a comforting favourite that can be enjoyed any time of the day. The local rendition features slices of banana between the caramelised roti layers and tastes exceptionally good when paired with condensed milk or dipped in a sugar; though, believe it or not, it works wonderfully with dahl and curry as well. Alternatively, you can also satisfy your sweet tooth with roti kaya (a creamy local jam made from coconut milk, eggs and occasionally pandan) or roti Milo, which is filled with the universal favourite chocolate malt powder that turns into a deliciously gooey centre from the heat. The roti’s crispy outer layer is then topped off with another generous sprinkling of Milo for a perfectly sweet ending.

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