Embark on a culinary journey to Malaysia with Nasi Lemak, a symphony of flavors and textures. Fragrant coconut rice serves as the base for a spicy anchovy sambal, complemented by crunchy peanuts, crispy fried anchovies, refreshing cucumber, and creamy hard-boiled eggs. A truly unforgettable dish!
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
Carbohydrate
57 g
Cholesterol
128 mg
Fiber
3 g
Protein
20 g
Saturated Fat
14 g
Sodium
230 mg
Sugar
8 g
Fat
32 g
Unsaturated Fat
0 g
Follow The Directions
01
Step
Gather all ingredients. (5 minutes)
02
Step
Make the Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine coconut milk, water, rice, fresh ginger, ground ginger, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine. (5 minutes)
03
Step
Cover the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Discard the bay leaf and keep the rice warm until ready to serve. (30 minutes)
04
Step
While the rice is cooking, prepare the garnish: Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peanuts and fry until lightly browned, being careful not to burn them. Remove the peanuts with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. (5 minutes)
05
Step
Return the skillet to the stove. Add the washed anchovies and fry, turning occasionally, until crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Discard the oil and wipe out the skillet. (5 minutes)
06
Step
Make the Sambal (Sauce): Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in the cleaned skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, shallots, and garlic; cook until fragrant and softened, about 1-2 minutes. (2 minutes)
07
Step
Stir in the chile paste and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes too dry, add water as needed to maintain a saucy consistency. (10 minutes)
08
Step
Add the remaining anchovies and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in the tamarind juice, sugar, and salt. Simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. (10 minutes)
09
Step
To Assemble: Ladle the warm coconut rice into bowls. Generously top with the warm anchovy sambal, followed by the fried peanuts, crispy fried anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, and sliced cucumber. Serve immediately and enjoy! (5 minutes)
For a richer coconut flavor, use full-fat coconut milk.
Adjust the amount of chile paste in the sambal to your preferred level of spiciness.
Make the garnishes and sauce ahead of time for easier assembly.
Garnish with a sprig of parsley for a little extra visual appeal
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Jaleel Lesch
Jun 13, 2025The key is to not overcook the anchovies. Crispy is the goal!
Maybelle Gerlach
Apr 23, 2025I added a pinch of sugar to the rice for a touch of sweetness, and it was delicious!
Willis Grady
Apr 2, 2025I love how customizable this dish is. You can really adjust the toppings to your liking.
Martin Parisian
Mar 1, 2025Next time, I'll try adding some shrimp paste to the sambal for an extra layer of umami.
Agustina Metz
Jan 28, 2025I didn't have tamarind juice, so I used a little lime juice instead. Still turned out great!
Danial Ullrich
Jan 8, 2025I've made this several times and it's always a hit! A little time-consuming but totally worth it.
Billie Zemlak
Jan 7, 2025The rice turned out perfectly! Thanks for the detailed instructions.
Alisa Hodkiewicz
Dec 23, 2024This recipe is great. I use it often!
Cathy Marvin
Dec 10, 2024Very flavorful and authentic!
Giovanna Anderson
Dec 10, 2024This recipe is amazing! The rice is so fragrant and the sambal has the perfect kick.