Among the Indian and Malay communities in Malaysia, it is common practice to place food, such as rice and cakes, into the mouth using only fingers, without the use of cutlery. The right hand is used, as it is considered a taboo to use the left, which is kept for less clean functions such as cleaning oneself after a visit to the toilet.

Hands are washed before meals. In Malay homes or restaurants, a kettle filled with water for washing purposes is commonly placed on the dining table. A tray to hold the water is placed underneath the kettle.