Malaysian Nasi Lemak

4.7
(15)

Nasi lemak is delicious Malaysian coconut rice, drizzled with an anchovy and hot chile sauce, then topped with fried anchovies, fried peanuts, sliced cucumber, and hard-boiled egg.

A bowl of Malaysian Nasi Lemak, served with fried peanuts, sliced cucumbers, and a hard boiled egg
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
8
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

Rice:

  • 2 cups coconut milk

  • 2 cups water

  • 2 cups long grain rice, rinsed and drained

  • 1 (1/2 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1 whole bay leaf

  • salt to taste

Garnish:

  • 1 cup oil for frying

  • 1 cup raw peanuts

  • 1 (4 ounce) package white anchovies, washed

  • 4 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved

  • 1 medium cucumber, sliced

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 medium onion, sliced

  • 3 medium shallots, thinly sliced

  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

  • 2 teaspoons chile paste

  • 1 tablespoon water, or more as needed (Optional)

  • 1 (4 ounce) package white anchovies, washed

  • ¼ cup tamarind juice

  • 3 tablespoons white sugar

  • salt to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make Malaysian Nasi Lemak

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Make the rice: Stir coconut milk, water, rice, fresh ginger, ground ginger, bay leaf, and salt together in a medium saucepan.

    A spatula stirring a small pot of coconut milk, water, rice, fresh ginger, ground ginger, bay leaf, and salt

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Discard bay leaf and keep rice warm until garnish and sauce are ready.

    A pot of cooked coconut rice, with kitchen tongs removing a bay leaf

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. While the rice is cooking, make the garnish: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in peanuts and cook briefly, until lightly browned. Remove peanuts with a slotted spoon and place onto paper towels to soak up excess grease.

    A pan with peanuts frying in hot oil, next to a paper towel-lined plate with fried peanuts

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Return the skillet to the stove. Stir in anchovies and cook, turning occasionally, until crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels. Discard oil and wipe out the skillet.

    A small pan with anchovies frying in hot oil

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Make the sauce: Heat oil in the clean skillet. Stir in onion, shallots, and garlic; cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.

    A pan with sliced onions, garlic, and shallots

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Mix in chile paste and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally; if mixture is too dry, add water as needed.

    A pan with onions, garlic, and shallots in chile paste

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Stir in anchovies and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in tamarind juice, sugar, and salt; simmer until sauce is thick, about 5 minutes.

    A pan with onions, garlic, shallots, and fried anchovies in tamarind juice, salt, and sugar

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Ladle warm rice into bowls. Top with warm sauce, then top with peanuts, fried anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, and cucumber.

    A plate of Malaysian Nasi Lemak, served with peanuts, fried anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, and cucumber

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Recipe Tip

If you don't have tamarind juice, use the same amount of lemon juice as a substitute.

Editor's Note:

We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. Amount will vary depending on cooking time and temperature, ingredient density, and specific type of oil used.

33 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

578 Calories
32g Fat
57g Carbs
20g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 578
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 32g 41%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Cholesterol 128mg 43%
Sodium 230mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 57g 21%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 20g 39%
Vitamin C 4mg 5%
Calcium 72mg 6%
Iron 5mg 29%
Potassium 473mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.