Malaysia’s ‘roti canai’ named world’s best bread, India's garlic naan is third on list (2024)

FAQs

Is roti canai the best bread in the world? ›

Well, Roti Canai of Malaysia tops the Taste Atlas list of the world's best breads. Roti Canai is a famous flatbread originally found in Malaysia. It is a pan-fried bread. The bread from Malaysia has secured 4.9 stars.

KUALA LUMPUR: The roti canai has once again gained global recognition, ranking as the second-best dish in the world. Experiential travel guide for traditional food TasteAtlas placed the popular Malaysian breakfast dish in second place in their 100 Best Dishes in The World Awards 23/24.

Roti canai from Malaysia has earned global recognition as the world's best bread, according to TasteAtlas – an international food guide website.

Roti Canai is typically high in refined flour and fats, which can cause spikes in blood sugar levels for individuals with diabetes. It lacks significant nutritional benefits and may lead to weight gain and insulin resistance if consumed regularly.

Seremban KPJ Specialist Hospital General Upper GI Surgeon Dr A. Vijaya Shankar urged the public to avoid eating at 24-hour restaurants as it contributes to obesity and diabetes, highlighting the main culprits for the problem being roti canai and teh tarik.

Roti cane came to Indonesia via Muslim Indian migration to Aceh Sultanate, in the northern parts of Sumatra, around the 17th century, and later to the rest of the Dutch East Indies, in the early 19th century; it has since been adopted into the Malay, Acehnese, and Minangkabau cuisine of Sumatra.

Seasia, a subsidiary of Indonesian digital media outlet Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), reported that one key difference between the two lies in their thickness — roti canai is typically thinner, lighter and crispier, while roti prata is usually thicker, denser and chewier.

Despite being considered as a variation of the paratha, the dish does not exist in India; the closest to roti canai is believed to be the Malabar or Kerala paratha. Equally popular in Indonesia, the dish is often spelt as “roti cane” and is usually served with kari kambing (mutton curry).

According to Guinness World Records, Turkey has the largest per capita consumption of bread in the world as of 2000, with 199.6 kg (440 lb) per person; Turkey is followed in bread consumption by Serbia and Montenegro with 135 kg (297 lb 9.9 oz), and Bulgaria with 133.1 kg (293 lb 6.9 oz).

Which country is best for bread? ›

Iceland. Iceland is considered one of the countries with the best bread in the world, much of which can be attributed to the unique methods it employs for its bread-making. The Icelandic rye bread is high in sugar and is baked underground using bubbling lava sand as the heat source.

“Gardenia's brown bread is high in vitamins A and E, protein, iron and fibre. It does not contain cholesterol or trans fat,” she said. Ena added that rising demand for healthier bread options among Malaysian consumers prompted the revitalisation of Gardenia's wholegrain series.

The 10 most popular British breads

English Muffin. English Crumpet. Scottish Bannock Flatbread. Scottish Butteries.

Chapati / Roti

Whether you call it chapati or roti, this bread goes by many different names and is perhaps the most popular flatbread in India. Made of a simple recipe of wheat flour and water, every household in India has its own signature take on this Indian flatbread.

Pan de sal, literally translated as salt bread, is the national bread of the Philippines and while we think we're all initiated with it, there are as many pan de sal varieties as there is adobo.

Roti canai, or roti prata, also known as roti chanai and roti cane, is an Indian flatbread dish found in several countries in Southeast Asia, especially Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.