Prices of Roti Canai, Nasi Lemak, and Satay Nearly Double Over 13 Years

Samuel Chua

30th April 2025 - 2 min read

Malaysians craving traditional favourites such as roti canai for breakfast, nasi lemak for lunch, and satay for dinner are now paying nearly twice as much as they did over a decade ago, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

In its Analysis of Annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) 2024, DOSM revealed that the average price of roti canai has increased by 71.1%, rising from 90 sen per piece in 2011 to RM1.54 in 2024. Nasi lemak recorded an even steeper hike of 81.3%, with the average cost per plate jumping from RM2.03 to RM3.68 over the same period.

The report also highlighted a 113.7% surge in the price of chicken satay, which has risen from 51 sen per stick in 2011 to RM1.09 in 2024. Imported big onions from India saw an even sharper increase of 139.4%, climbing from RM2.89 to RM6.92 per kilogramme (kg).

Other everyday essentials have not been spared. Fresh coconut milk rose from RM7.39 to RM11.54 per kg, while grated coconut increased from RM5.18 to RM8.33 per kg. In the meat category, local beef prices almost doubled, rising from RM19.05 to RM37.84 per kg over the 13-year period.

Cockles registered the most dramatic jump in price, soaring by 400.3%, from RM3.04 per kg in 2011 to RM15.21 in 2024.

Despite these long-term increases, DOSM noted that overall inflation in Malaysia eased slightly in 2024, rising by 1.8% compared to 2.5% in 2023. The country’s Consumer Price Index stood at 132.8 points in 2024, up from 130.4 the year before.

The department added that Malaysia’s inflation trend is aligned with the global rate of 5.7% in 2024, a slowdown from 6.6% in 2023, based on data from the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025.

(Source: Bernama)

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Samuel Chua

Samuel writes about personal finance and financial news, focusing on how banking updates, policies, and promotions affect everyday money decisions. He enjoys making complicated financial topics easier to follow. Outside of writing, he spends his time watching TV shows and occasionally convincing himself he will only watch one episode.