Who doesn't know about Nasi Lemak? This food, which is one of the popular dishes in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, at first glance looks like nasi uduk or nasi liwet in Indonesia, but has its own characteristics in Nasi Lemak.
Nasi lemak translates into "fatty rice" in Malay, Nasi Lemak includes the Malay term “nasi” (rice) and “lemak" (creamy-rich), which refers to the use of coconut milk to enrich the flavor of the rice, which is complemented by spicy seasonings.
Although it originates from Malaysia, the appeal of Nasi Lemak is that it can also be found and is popular in other Southeast Asian regions such as Singapore, Brunei Darussalam or even in Indonesia itself.
Starting from Mandatory Foods at Breakfast
In the past, this food was only served in the morning when breakfast time arrived. But for now, Nasi Lemak can be eaten from breakfast, lunch to dinner. In general, this food is tightly wrapped using two layers of banana leaves and newspaper, or can be with brown oil paper, making nasi lemak can be enjoyed at any time of the day and has become a symbol of rich cultural identity in Southeast Asia.
According to BBC, some people claim that Nasi Lemak can be an effective cure for hangovers. This is because Nasi Lemak is always available 24 hours a day and can be a meal of choice, either as lunch or a post-clubbing meal, which is thought to be the main factor in this menu being able to overcome hangovers.
Main Components in Nasi Lemak
In general, nasi lemak contains rice steamed in coconut milk and aromatic pandan leaves, adding a savory taste to the rice.
For that reason, not just any rice is used here. The use of basic ingredients in the form of aromatic coconut milk, makes the taste of the rice rich and gives it a sweet and savory aroma.
Spicy chili sauce is also one of the main components that are always served in Nasi Lemak. Most Southeast Asian specialties have their own characteristics in the form of spicy chili sauce, as does Nasi Lemak.
The main ingredients of the chili sauce usually contain chili, garlic and other spices. Another alternative if customers do not like spicy flavors is to not add chili sauce to the menu, and choose other options such as adding curry.
The side dishes that faithfully accompany Nasi Lemak are fried peanuts, anchovies, half-boiled eggs and sliced cucumbers. Other side dishes served in the display case of Nasi Lemak food stalls such as beef rendang, fried chicken with red spices, or various types of seafood such as brown squid, can also be options for customers to choose so that the portion eaten can be more filling.
Originated from Malaysia
Based on history, Nasi Lemak is believed to have originated from Malaysia. This history is connected with a folk tale about a woman named Mak Kuntum and her daughter Seri. This folk tale written in the book "The Circumstances of Malay Life" published in 1909 by Richard Olaf Winstedt tells the story of Mak Kuntum who was forced to leave and leave his daughter to cook.
Her daughter accidentally spilled coconut milk into a pot of rice that was being cooked. After the rice was cooked, Mak Kuntum tasted the dish and said, “Apa kau memasak ni, Seri?” Her daughter replied, “Nasi le, Mak!” And from that origin, rice added with coconut milk is called Nasi Lemak. Over time, this name has tuck to this iconic dish.
In 1909, Richard Olaf Winstedt also recorded the existence of nasi lemak, indicating that this dish had been known for more than a century. At first, nasi lemak was a simple food often eaten by farmers and workers as breakfast or provisions. However, over time, this dish has developed into a culinary icon that can be found at various events and restaurants, from street stalls to luxury restaurants.
Nasi Lemak is Becoming More Popular
In Johor, there is Nasi Lemak Halba which uses fenugreek seeds. In Kedah, there is Nasi Lemak Kuning which uses turmeric. In the Terengganu area, there is Nasi Lemak Sambal Ikan Aya or Tongkol which uses mackerel tuna. As for Singapore, Nasi Lemak tends to be less spicy than the Malaysian version.
Nasi Lemak was also named as one of the 10 international healthy breakfast lists by TIME magazine. According to Kumparan, the reason why Nasi Lemak is included in the category is because the portion of Nasi Lemak is quite balanced because it contains carbohydrates and protein. The chili in the chili sauce can also increase the body's metabolism.
Nasi Lemak is also becoming increasingly popular, as evidenced by the Nasi Lemak Festival which took place at Subang Parc in Malaysia, on October 5th and 6th, 2024. There are several tenants selling various kinds of Malaysian specialties, especially Nasi Lemak which comes from all over Malaysia, such as Nasi Lemak Angah, Nasi Lemak Burung Hantu, and others.
This proves that Nasi Lemak has gone global and can be consumed by all groups, complete with variations of nasi lemak ranging from traditional to innovations that can add to the taste of Nasi Lemak itself.
References
Michelin Guide. (n.d.). What is Nasi Lemak? guide.michelin.com/th/en/article/features/what-is-nasi-lemak
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur. (n.d.). Interesting Facts About Nasi Lemak. kualalumpur.intercontinental.com/blog/interesting-facts-about-nasi-lemak
Homiah. (n.d.). Nasi Lemak (Malaysia’s National Dish). homiah.com/blogs/recipe/nasi-lemak
BBC Indonesia. (2019). Nasi Lemak: Makanan ‘lemak’ yang menyatukan Asia Tenggara. bbc.com/indonesia/vert-tra-50456297
Kumparan Food. (2018). Fakta-Fakta Nasi Lemak, Sajian yang Disantap Bella Hadid. kumparan.com/kumparanfood/fakta-fakta-nasi-lemak-sajian-yang-disantap-bella-hadid-1543369340035827320/full
KL Foodie (Instagram). (n.d.). Nasi Lemak Festival Clip. instagram.com/kl.foodie/reel/DAvd4F1hlbk/?hl=en
Liputan6. (2019). Asal Mula Nasi Lemak: Dari Malaysia atau Singapura? liputan6.com/lifestyle/read/4027104/asal-mula-nasi-lemak-dari-malaysia-atau-singapura
