Nasi lemak
Serving temperature | Hot or room temperature |
---|---|
Main ingredients | Rice cooked in coconut milk with leaves of pandan screwpine |
Ingredients generally used | Served with sambal, anchovies, cucumber, and various side dishes |
Nasi lemak is a dish originating in
Nasi lemak can also be found in the Bangsamoro region of Mindanao, prepared by Filipino Moros, as well as Australia's external territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.[citation needed]
History
Nasi lemak was mentioned in a book The Circumstances of Malay Life, written by
Traditionally, nasi lemak is wrapped and served in
As a more substantial meal, nasi lemak may also be served with an additional protein dish such as ayam goreng (fried chicken), sambal sotong (cuttlefish in chili), small fried fish, cockles, and rendang daging (beef stewed in coconut milk and spices).[17][18] Other accompaniments include stir fried water convolvulus (kangkong),[19] and spicy pickled vegetables salad acar. Traditionally most of these accompaniments are spicy in nature.
Nasi lemak is widely eaten in Malaysia and Singapore. More commonly consumed as breakfast in both countries, it is sold in hawker food centres and roadside stalls in Malaysia and Singapore.[8] In Malaysia, nasi lemak can also be found in night markets pasar malam along with a variety of dishes.
In Indonesia, nasi lemak is a favourite local breakfast fare; especially in Eastern Sumatra (Riau Islands, Riau and coastal North Sumatra provinces).[20]
In the
On 31 January 2019, Google released a Google Doodle celebrating nasi lemak.[21]
Variations
In
In northwestern Peninsular Malaysia, nasi lemak dishes typically incorporate curry into their recipe. The sambal served with the dish varies in spiciness, ranging from being mild in flavour to being very spicy, with a subtle sweet underlying flavours. Hotels often feature nasi lemak on their menu with elaborate dishes, such as beef rendang and the addition of other seafood.
Hawker centres in Singapore and Malaysia usually wrap the dish in
There are Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indian versions, as well as Singaporean Malay and Singaporean Chinese versions. Some people suggest that sambal is the most important part of a nasi lemak meal. If not prepared properly, it could ruin the entire dish.
Malaysia
Traditional Malaysian version
A traditional Malaysian nasi lemak calls for rice and a serving of .
A special feature of this dish is the white rice used, although variations using brown rice may be preferred by health-conscious consumers.[22] Cooked with fresh coconut milk, and pandanus leaves (screwpine) thrown in, the rice is served on naturally fragrant banana leaves. This traditional serving style has been inherited for many generations -from a little stall by the road to commercials, it serves as simple way to fulfil the craving for this dish in large cities.
Alor Setar variant
Also known as nasi lemak kuning (yellow nasi lemak) or nasi lemak royale, this version of nasi lemak is prevalent around parts of northern Kedah, especially in Alor Setar, as well as Perlis. It has a distinct taste, composition, form and texture in contrast to conventional nasi lemak. The rice is yellow in colour and commonly eaten with curries, although some stalls may offer sambals. The rendition of the dish in Alor Setar is closer to nasi kandar.
However, as both variations of nasi lemak are widely available in northern Kedah and Perlis, locals commonly refer to the traditional nasi lemak as nasi lemak daun pisang (banana leaf nasi lemak) to distinguish between the two interpretations of the meal.
Terengganu variant
In the
Malaccan variant
In
Malaysian Chinese variant
Although it is not common to see
Malaysian Indian variant
The
Vegetarian variant
In certain parts of Malaysia and Singapore, hawkers and restaurants may offer
Strawberry variant
Usually regarded as a unique
Indonesia
Right across the
Riau Islands variant
In the
The Riau Islands version however, comes with an addition of small fish locally known as ikan tamban, usually fried with sambal chili paste and very crispy, the whole fish is edible.[25] Prawns and squids are also commonly stir-fried in chili paste as sambal udang or sambal cumi. In Indonesia, nasi lemak is often sprinkled with bawang goreng (crispy fried shallot granules).
Riau variant
In
In Pekanbaru, nasi lemak is also a popular breakfast fare. Just like other variants, the Riau nasi lemak is also rice cooked in rich coconut milk and pandan leaf to add aroma. Other than fried freshwater fish, Pekanbaru's nasi lemak might also served with fried anchovies, boiled egg, sambal, slices of cucumber, fried
Medan variant
The Medan Melayu Deli version of nasi lemak is usually served with choice of side dishes either rendang (beef or chicken) or balado (egg or shrimp in chili sauce). A set of complete Medan's nasi lemak includes a sprinkle of crispy fried shallot, slices of omelette, kripik kentang balado (spicy potato chips), tempe orek (seasoned fried tempeh), perkedel (fried potato patties), sambal chili paste, slices of cucumber, and slightly bitter emping cracker. Some traditional restaurant chains have dedicated their business to serving nasi lemak Medan.[10]
Next to rendang and balado, the vegetable dish sayur masak lemak (vegetables including long beans, cabbage, and long green chilies in coconut milk) is also offered. It is a popular street food in Medan sold in humble tarp tents warung, and usually sold together with Lontong Medan.[28] Since Medan is located near the Aceh border, and there are numbers of Aceh people that reside in the city, the term nasi lemak and nasi gurih are often used interchangeably in the city, since the terms refer to a similar coconut rice dish.
Singapore
Singaporean Malay variant
For most of the Singaporean Malay variation, the
Singaporean Chinese variant
Retaining the familiar aroma of pandan leaves, the Singaporean Chinese variation comes with a variety of sides that includes deep fried
Similar dishes
Nasi lemak's closest analogue is probably the Sumatran nasi gemuk (lit. "fatty rice"), commonly found in the Indonesian cities of Jambi and Palembang. It is arguably that the difference is only due to dialects variant, in which the term lemak in Johor and Riau Malay dialect is synonymous with gemuk in Jambi and Palembang Malay dialect.[30]
The
Nasi lemak is not as popular as the indigenous
Nasi lemuni is a similar savoury rice dish traditionally found in northern Peninsular Malaysia. Its preparation is almost similar with nasi lemak, however the former differs by the combination of lemuni leaf (Vitex trifolia) in the coconut milk and rice admixture. The introduction of the herb influenced its taste, aroma and contributed to the dark grey and black colourings on the rice. It is also believed that this variant is a healthier alternative of nasi lemak. This meal is often paired together with the side dishes typically associated in a classic nasi lemak sambal, fried anchovies and boiled egg.
In Borneo, it is regarded as a speciality imported dish in Sabah and Sarawak. The dish is also different from nasi katok in Brunei Darussalam; the latter is distinguished with the usage of plain white rice, a contrast from the coconut milk base found in nasi lemak.[citation needed]
Health
In March 2016, nasi lemak was mentioned as one of the 10 healthy international breakfast foods by
See also
- Cuisine of Malaysia
- Cuisine of Singapore
- Cuisine of Indonesia
- Malay cuisine
- Mamak stall
- Nasi dagang
- Nasi uduk
- Nasi Kuning
- Nasi ulam
- Coconut rice
- List of steamed foods
References
- ^ Rachel Au (18 August 2021). "Nasi Lemak: An Origin Story". Buro 24/7.
- ^ Teh, Eng Hock (17 September 2009). "Laksa and nasi lemak among our pride, says Yen Yen". www.thestar.com.my. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
- ^ Ahmad, Aida (19 November 2014). "Nasi lemak - once a farmer's meal, now Malaysia's favourite". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
- ^ Ram, Sadho (18 May 2014). "Ipoh-Born Ping Coombes Wins MasterChef 2014 By Cooking Nasi Lemak And Wonton Soup". SAYS.com. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
- ^ Dwayne A. Rules (7 April 2011). "Nasi lemak, our 'national dish'". The Star. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ Naomi Lindt (22 November 2012). "A Food Bloggers' Tour of Kuala Lumpur". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- ^ "#CNNFoodchallnge: What's your national dish? | CNN Travel". CNN Travel. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
- ^ a b c Williams, Vicki (15 July 2019). "Is nasi lemak from Malaysia or Singapore?". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ "Nasi lemak". VisitSingapore.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ a b Muhammad Irzal Adiakurnia (11 August 2017). "Mencicipi Harum dan Lembutnya Nasi Lemak Medan di Jakarta". Kompas.com (in Indonesian).
- ^ Tibère, Laurance (May 2019). "Staging a National Dish: The social relevance of Nasi Lemak in Malaysia" (PDF). Asia-Pacific Journal of Innovation in Hospitality & Tourism. 8: 51–66 – via EBSCO.
- ISBN 978-0-404-16882-7. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
- ISBN 9780404168827.
- ^ ISBN 978-1452119878.
- ^ "Nasi Lemak". Delectable Asia. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015.
- ISBN 978-0794607371.
- ^ a b Lee Khang Yi (31 August 2014). "Nasi lemak: The one dish that unites us all". Malay Mail Online.
- ^ Karen-Michaela Tan (14 October 2014). "Nasi Lemak Wars". Hungry Go Where.
- ISBN 978-9814328661.
- ^ a b "Local Favorite Food". Wonderful Kepulauan Riau. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015.
- ^ Michallon, Clémence (31 January 2019). "Nasi lemak: What is the Malaysian dish and why is it being celebrated?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Healthier Nasi Lemak". Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b Wiranata, Ruzi (21 March 2023). "Nasi Lemak, Menu Sarapan Pagi Favorit di Kepri". www.batamnews.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "Nasi Lemak Khas Karimun, Enaknya Sesuai Namanya". www.melayupedia.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ Aminuddin (28 May 2015). "Kedai Kopi Jalan Bintan Hadir dengan Konsep Berbeda". Tribunnews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ "Nasi Lemak Pekanbaru". Melayu Online. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ "Makanan Khas Riau Mulai dari Makanan Berat hingga Makanan Ringan". Gramedia (in Indonesian). 27 March 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ "Medan on a Plate". Eating Asia. 21 May 2007.
- ^ "Is nasi lemak from Malaysia or Singapore?". South China Morning Post. 15 July 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
- ^ Amalia, Lita. "Gurihnya Nasi Gemuk Khas Jambi, Yuk Bikin!". detiksumut (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ "Semerbak Aroma Rempah Nasi Uduk Betawi". Tutur Visual - Kompas.id (in Indonesian). 7 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ This, Mike Dunphy / Eat; That!, Not. "10 Healthy International Breakfasts". TIME.com. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ Chris Chan (31 March 2016). "Is nasi lemak really a healthy dish?". Star2.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
- S2CID 247261102.