Nasi lemak is Malaysian Coconut Milk Rice with Anchovies Sambal. Nasi Lemak is one of the favourite foods of any Malaysian and there is no doubt about that. Tourism of Malaysia has recognized "Nasi Lemak" as the National dish. A national heritage of Malaysia consume by all races. Even though it is a Malay dish, but it is so popular that the Chinese and Indian also have their own version of Nasi Lemak. Nasi Lemak is wrapped in banana leaf and served as breakfast.
You are able to buy Nasi Lemak almost everywhere in Malaysia. Today, Nasi Lemak is available throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even supper. Nasi Lemak can be easily found in any restaurants and roadside stalls. The price of Nasi Lemak in Malaysia starts from RM0.50 to RM5.00 per packet.
So, what is Malaysian Nasi Lemak and why it is so addictive for Malaysian? Generally, basic "Nasi Lemak" just only combination of rice, coconut cream, salt to taste and screw pine leave, ginger or a stalk of lemon grass for fragrance and served with good spicy sambal. This comes as a platter with cucumber slices, small dried anchovies (Ikan Bilis). Prefer head off and cleaned, deep fried and roasted skin-on peanuts.
Nowadays, besides the basic components for Nasi Lemak, you can also add on with some luxury choices of varieties side dishes like fried chicken, chicken rendang, tender beef, crispy fried cuttlefish or prawn. For those who are vegetarian, there is vegetarian Nasi Lemak that comes with spicy sambal, vegetarian mutton, cucumber, fried crispy tofu and fried peanuts.
Nasi Lemak is so popular that Malaysian airlines like Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia also have their own version of Nasi Lemak. It does take great effort to redesign a dish that is so popular to Malaysian and yet you want to introduce to those who is going to taste it for the very first time. It has to look attractive, not too spicy and maintain the quality and standard of the food. So the next round when you travel by Malaysian Airlines or Air Asia, don’t forget to try out their version of Nasi Lemak. It might taste better at 39, 000 feet on air.Recently, The Ministry of Tourism has launched its ‘Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Trail 2009’ booklet featuring ten best and must try food in three different categories – nasi lemak, laksa and Bak Kut Teh (meat bone tea). Tourist can use this food guide to go around Malaysia and try all the must eat food in Malaysia especially the best Nasi Lemak. You can also find out how to cook Nasi Lemak and design your own Nasi Lemak recipes.
