Here Are 22 Foods In BM You May Have Been Spelling Wrong All This Time
We dug out our Kamus Dewan for this!
By May Vin Ang — 25 Oct 2022, 06:40 PM
Here's a list of foods that you've probably never known the official spelling for in Bahasa Melayu (BM):
These spellings are legitimate according to the Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka (DBP).
1. Kuetiau
Many were left conflicted last year when finding out that flat rice noodles are actually spelled as 'kuetiau' in BM, not 'koay teow', 'kuay teow', or 'kuew tiaw'.
3. Nasi himpit
Most of us know these steamed rice cubes as 'nasi impit', but we did not know they're officially called 'nasi himpit'.
4. Serondeng
We were also convinced that meat floss was definitely spelt 'serunding' in BM!
5. Bergedel
These delicious potato-stuffed balls are actually called 'bergedel', not 'bergedil'.
6. Popia
There is no 'h' in 'popia'. Only stir-fried turnips and other goodness.
7. Bubur caca
Take note that this dessert is not spelt 'bubur cha cha', guys.
8. Putu mayang
It is also known as putu mayam or idiyappam in English or Tamil.
9. Tose
DBP recently pointed out that the formal spelling for thosai in BM is 'tose'.
11. Capati
It's 'capati'. Remember this formal spelling if you ever need to answer an exam paper.
12. Roti perata
This all-time favourite order is formally spelt as 'roti perata', and not 'roti prata' as we think it is.
15. Susyi
We bet you did not know that there was a different spelling for sushi in BM!
16. Wafel
As with many borrowed words from English, waffles are spelt 'wafel' in our national language.
18. Kroisan
The spelling of French and Italian foods in BM can also get really different from what we expect. Take note!
21. Bifstik
'Bifstik' sounds like a really cute word compared to beefsteak in English!
22. Kopi O beng
Interestingly, this was the only kopitiam drink order that was in the dictionary.
