It is said that this combination of ingredients creates an umami-packed dish that is sure to transport your taste buds to far away places. This is then served with sides of curries, vegetables and sambals. The main ingredients of nasi ambeng are fragrant long grain white rice, cooked with shallots, garlic, chilli, dried shrimp, lemongrass stalks and a variety of spices including turmeric and cumin.

The dish was created by the early settlers of the region, who blended together the perfect mix of spices, herbs and rice to create an aromatic and flavourful dish that was sure to tantalise the taste buds. Nasi ambeng is a traditional Malay dish that has its origins in the 15th century when the Malay people of Singapore and Malaya were ruled by an empire known as the Sultanate of Malacca. When it comes to this delectable and nostalgia-inducing Malay dish, one can’t help but be humbly grateful for the abundance of heartwarming memories that come along with it. Eating a plate of Nasi Ambeng means taking a trip down memory lane with your loved ones, sharing stories and reliving moments that simply cannot be replicated. And of course, let’s not forget the condiments that are also necessary to complete the entire experience, from the kerupuk udang to the fresh salad.īut what stands out the most about this dish is not just the flavours but more so, the experience that comes with it. The chicken is marinated and grilled over flaming charcoal, bringing a smoky olfactory experience that pairs perfectly with the sweet and spicy aroma of the sambal. The foundation of Nasi Ambeng lies in the rice base which is cooked al dente, getting just the right texture to bring out the flavour of the accompanying accompaniments like the ayam panggang and the sambal belacan. Whether it was a birthday, wedding or other milestone event, Nasi Ambeng made its presence known as a shared platter between family members or friends.

Growing up, quite a few of us would have fond memories of having this delectable dish at special occasions. Nasi Ambeng is an iconic cumulation of flavours associated with the Malay culture from Southeast Asia.

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