Nasi Padang

Nasi Padang (NAH-see PAH-dahng)

Padang-Style Rice Meal

⏱ Prep Time 3 hours

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 730 kcal

A magnificent spread of steamed rice surrounded by a dazzling array of Minangkabau dishes — rendang, curried vegetables, fried chicken, sambal, and more — served in towering stacked tiffin carriers.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 35.0g

Carbs 80.0g

Fat 30.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ coconut ⚠ eggs

Equipment Needed

multiple saucepans steamer tiffin carrier

Presentation Guide

Vessel: banana leaf-lined plate

Garnishes: kerupuk, cucumber, sambal

Accompaniments: iced sweet tea (es teh manis)

Ingredients

4 cups steamed jasmine rice
500g beef rendang (see rendang recipe)
4 hard-boiled eggs in chili sauce
300g cassava leaves, slow-cooked in coconut milk
200g long beans, stir-fried with chili
Fried chicken (ayam goreng)
Sambal hijau (green chili sambal)
Fried tempeh
Cucumber slices
Kerupuk (crackers)

Instructions

1
Prepare rendang: slow-cook beef in coconut milk and spices for 2-3 hours until dry and deeply caramelized.
2
Slow-cook cassava leaves in coconut milk with turmeric, galangal, and chili for 2 hours until silky and dark green.
3
Fry chicken pieces until golden and crispy. Stir-fry long beans with red chili and shrimp paste.
4
Make sambal hijau by grinding green chilies, shallots, and lime juice.
5
Hard-boil eggs, then simmer in a spicy coconut sauce until deeply flavored.
6
Mound rice in the center of each plate and arrange all dishes around it. Serve with kerupuk and cucumber.

💡

Did You Know?

In traditional Padang restaurants, servers carry dozens of small plates stacked up their arms in towering columns — you only pay for the dishes you eat.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

multiple saucepans
steamer
tiffin carrier

Garnishing

kerupuk, cucumber, sambal

Accompaniments

iced sweet tea (es teh manis)

The Story Behind Nasi Padang

Nasi Padang originates from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, one of the world's largest matrilineal societies. The Minangkabau tradition of merantau (migrating to seek fortune) spread Padang restaurants across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The elaborate multi-dish format reflects the Minangkabau philosophy of communal generosity and hospitality.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch, the main midday feast 📜 Origins: Minangkabau tradition, centuries old

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