Described by the Malay Mail as the country’s “undisputed national dish”, nasi lemak (which literally translates as “rich rice”) is so beloved in its homeland that one in two people questioned in a recent survey chose it as their all-time favourite breakfast, and it has inspired spin-offs from ice-cream to McDonald’s burgers.
Like many such comfort foods, its charm lies in its versatility; at its simplest, nasi lemak is just a pile of fluffy, aromatic rice with a spicy sambal and crunchy garnish, all served in a banana leaf, though these days it’s often accompanied by more substantial dishes, such as rendang or fried chicken, and eaten at lunch and dinner, too.
