Nasi lemak
Nasi lemak · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia's national dish: rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan, with sambal.
Know before you go
- When eating with your hands, use only your right
- don't bring pork or alcohol into a halal restaurant
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Nasi lemak literally means 'rich, fatty rice' — rice cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves. It comes from Malay cuisine and is regarded as Malaysia's national dish, as well as an everyday meal in Singapore, southern Thailand and other places with Malay communities. An essential part of a typical Malay breakfast, it has been listed as national heritage by Malaysia's Department of National Heritage, and in 2024, nominated by Malaysia, it was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
Local customs
Traditionally sold wrapped in a banana leaf, with fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, a boiled egg and sambal
Religion & beliefs
Malay restaurants are mostly halal.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- When eating with your hands, use only your right
- don't bring pork or alcohol into a halal restaurant
Locals appreciate DO
Malaysians appreciate visitors who eat with their right hand.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Easiest to find at breakfast time
- street stalls often wrap it in banana leaf. Prices and opening hours are set by each stall
- popular old places often have queues, so go outside peak mealtimes.
Sources & verification notes
More in Southeast Asia
Also nearby
_-_Pho_Hanoi_Authentic_2024-12-01.jpg?width=800)
Phở
A noodle soup that appeared in northern Vietnam only in the early 20th century, shaped by French and Chinese influences.
.jpg?width=800)
Hội An cao lầu
Noodles said to be made only with water from Hội An's ancient well.
Hainanese chicken rice
Hainanese immigrants brought Wenchang chicken to the Nanyang, where it became Singapore's national dish.