Connect with us

Events & Places

Here’s How Nasi Lemak Was Created and Why M’sians Eat It for Breakfast

Published

Here's How Nasi Lemak Was Created and Why M'sians Eat It for Breakfast - WORLD OF BUZZ 7
Source: Roadtrippers Asia & Fae Magazine

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

Malaysia has so much good food from so many different cultures that it’s so difficult to choose just one dish that truly represents us. However, nasi lemak, that humble coconut rice dish served with spicy sambal, hard-boiled eggs, slices of cucumber, ikan bilis, peanuts and so many more other accompaniments, is probably one of the most signature Malaysian food out there.

Did You Know That Nasi Lemak Used to Be Farmers' Breakfast Meal? - WORLD OF BUZZ

Source: Kuasai SEO

Yet, how many of us are familiar with the history behind this delicious national dish that has slowly but surely gained recognition all over the world? Since it’s the month of Merdeka, we’ve decided to commemorate the humble nasi lemak and how it came to be. It’s so good that we can eat it any time of the day!

The nasi lemak is so widely loved that there have been variations of it in all sorts of styles from hipster burgers to waffles and even in the form of ice cream! Although the exact origins are not that easy to determine, heritage historian who specialises in culture, tradition and heritage in South-East Asia, Ahmad Najib “Nadge” Ariffin did try to explain the nasi lemak’s beginnings in an interview with The Star previously.

Here's How Nasi Lemak Was Created and Why M'sians Eat It for Breakfast - WORLD OF BUZZ

Source: Fae Magazine

Now, it’s not only Malaysia that has the versatile nasi lemak and it has so many different variations that we are sometimes confused about its birthplace. However, Nadge has said that it is very likely that this fragrant coconut rice dish originated from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia based on interviews he did with some elderly people.

Nadge, who is also the founder of Nusantara Academy of Development, Geocultures & Ethnolinguistics said, “Although it did start within the Malay society in South-East Asia, they were very mobile people and the concept of ‘coconut milk rice’ was a slow invention that spread throughout the different communities.”

“The east coast, which is the most culturally conservative part of the country, has its own signature traditional rice dishes with prominent, distinct fish flavours such as nasi dagang and nasi kerabu,” he added. Plus, if you’re wondering why such a heavy meal is considered a breakfast dish, this was because it was traditionally eaten for breakfast by farmers.

“Farmers needed a hearty meal in the morning, so eating nasi lemak kept them full because you have all the food groups covered — carbohydrates from the rice, oils from the sambal and protein from the anchovies,” he explained. Nasi lemak is also so famous that it was mentioned as early as 1909 by Sir Richard Olaf Winstedt, a British scholar.

FYI, there is also the misconception that nasi lemak is translated to “fatty rice” – but that’s actually not the case because the coconut milk used was not considered fat last time; it actually helps make the rice taste smooth and rich!

Here's How Nasi Lemak Was Created and Why M'sians Eat It for Breakfast - WORLD OF BUZZ 3

Source: Iluminasi

Of course, there’s another much simpler story behind the history of nasi lemak. Several blogs online state that legend has it that nasi lemak was created during the Malacca Sultanate era. During this time, Mak Kuntum and her daughter Seri lived together after her husband was killed in battle.

Mak Kuntum had to work hard to support both of them and she often left Seri at home alone to do the chores and cook. One day, Seri felt bored of always cooking food the same way so she decided to do something different. At first, she put some galangal inside and then some pandan leaves to make the rice more fragrant.

Here's How Nasi Lemak Was Created and Why M'sians Eat It for Breakfast - WORLD OF BUZZ 4

For illustration purposes only | Source: Deenamik

When Mak Kuntum reached home for lunch, she was surprised to see the rice as she had never seen it before. She asked, “Apa kau masak ni, Seri?” (What did you cook, Seri?) to which Seri answered, “Nasi le! Mak!” (Rice, mother!)”. Still curious, Mak Kuntum asked again and Seri repeated her answer, “Nasi le mak!”, “Nasi le mak!”, “Nasi le mak!” and from that day onwards, it was known as nasi lemak.

Now, time to stuff our faces with some nasi lemak to pay tribute to Merdeka!

 

Also read: Did You Know That Nasi Kandar Was Actually a Breakfast Meal?

Did You Know Nasi Kandar Was Actually a Breakfast Meal? - WORLD OF BUZZ 4

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.



Just In

Dd FT 15 Dd FT 15
News16 hours ago

Chinese Man Keeps Location of Father’s Ashes a Secret for Years, Only Reveals It After Being Sued by Siblings

A dispute between siblings in China over their family company’s equity led the brother to hide the location of their...

Dd FT 14 Dd FT 14
News17 hours ago

Fahmi Fadzil: It Will Soon Be Mandatory to Label All Content Made with AI as ‘AI Generated’

The government is looking into making it mandatory to label content created using artificial intelligence (AI) as “AI-generated” under the...

collage 55 collage 55
News20 hours ago

18yo Kuantan Rempit Faces Up to 5 Years in Jail & RM15k Fine After PDRM Caught Him Doing a “Wheelie”

An 18-year-old in Kuantan, Pahang, may face a 5-year prison term after he was caught performing dangerous stunts during an...

Dd FT 13 Dd FT 13
News21 hours ago

DBKL Launches Cleanup Just Over 24 Hours After YDPA Highlighted Garbage, Clogged Drains & More in KL

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has taken swift action to tackle cleanliness issues in the city after receiving a reprimand...

collage 53 collage 53
News21 hours ago

M’sian Family Allegedly Steals RM40 Worth of Goods in Supermarket, 15yo Son Surrenders Himself to PDRM

A family of 4, including a teenager, was accused of stealing at a supermarket in Negeri Sembilan recently, and a...

Dd FT 12 Dd FT 12
News23 hours ago

Body of Unidentified Man Found at Bottom of 15-Metre Embankment in Perak, PDRM Classifies Case as Murder

Police discovered the body of an unidentified man, believed to be in his 30s, in a ravine in Perak on...

abuseft abuseft
News1 day ago

“I will bring in a legal team” – Nurul Izzah Vows to Support Teen Allegedly Sexually Assaulted by Celebrity Ustaz

PKR Deputy President, Nurul Izzah Anwar, has pledged to assist a family with legal representation after they were sued by...

bnft bnft
News1 day ago

“I see a chance for us in the next election” – UMNO Dept President Says M’sians Miss UMNO & BN’s Leadership

It’s been seven years since UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) were in charge of the government, and according to UMNO...

Announcement

Latest Videos



TRENDING TODAY