Nasi Lemak

Name: Nasi Lemak
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Singaporean
Ingredients: 400g jasmine rice, washed; 400ml coconut milk; 200ml water; 3 pandan leaves, knotted; 1 tsp salt; 4 eggs; 100g dried anchovies (ikan bilis); 80g roasted peanuts; 1 cucumber, sliced; Sambal: 10 dried chilies soaked, 4 shallots, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp belacan (shrimp paste), 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp tamarind juice, salt

Nasi Lemak (NAH-see leh-MAHK)

Coconut Rice

⏱ Prep Time 45 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 612 kcal

Fragrant jasmine rice cooked in rich coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with sambal chili, fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, sliced cucumber, and a crispy fried egg — Singapore's beloved breakfast plate.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 18.0g

Carbs 72.0g

Fat 28.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ fish ⚠ eggs ⚠ peanuts

Equipment Needed

rice cooker wok small pot

Presentation Guide

Vessel: banana leaf or oval plate

Garnishes: fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber

Accompaniments: sambal, fried egg, fried chicken wing

Ingredients

400g jasmine rice, washed
400ml coconut milk
200ml water
3 pandan leaves, knotted
1 tsp salt
4 eggs
100g dried anchovies (ikan bilis)
80g roasted peanuts
1 cucumber, sliced
Sambal: 10 dried chilies soaked, 4 shallots, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp belacan (shrimp paste), 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp tamarind juice, salt

Instructions

1
Cook rice with coconut milk, water, pandan leaves, and salt in a rice cooker until fluffy.
2
Blend soaked chilies, shallots, garlic, and belacan into a paste. Fry in oil until fragrant, add tamarind juice, sugar, and salt. Simmer until thick.
3
Deep-fry anchovies until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
4
Fry eggs sunny-side up with crispy edges.
5
Plate coconut rice in the centre, arrange sambal, anchovies, peanuts, cucumber slices, and fried egg around it.

💡

Did You Know?

Nasi lemak literally means "fatty rice" — a reference to the richness imparted by the coconut milk, not the calorie count.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

rice cooker
wok
small pot

Garnishing

fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber

Accompaniments

sambal, fried egg, fried chicken wing

The Story Behind Nasi Lemak

Nasi lemak is a Malay-origin dish that became one of Singapore's most essential everyday meals. Originally a simple farmers' breakfast wrapped in banana leaves, it evolved in Singapore's hawker centres into an elaborate plate with multiple accompaniments. The dish represents the Malay culinary heritage within Singapore's multicultural food landscape and is fiercely debated between Singapore and Malaysia as a national treasure.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed breakfast, though eaten any time of day 📜 Origins: Malay heritage, popularised 20th century

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