Latest news with #rendang
Malay Mail
03-08-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
7 dishes every Malaysian claims to know (but might secretly have to Google) and the one ingredient that always trips us up
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — There are some dishes every Malaysian is expected to know — not just enjoy eating but maybe even make — but the truth is quite a few of us need to Google the dish. We nod confidently when someone mentions nasi goreng kampung or rendang, but deep down we know we have been known to Google 'ayam masak merah resipi mudah' ('easy ayam masak merah recipe'). The truth is it's not just the method that gets us, it's that one key ingredient that can make or break the dish... and there can be NO shortcuts. Here are seven classic dishes — and the surprisingly important ingredient — that we need to know: 1. Nasi Goreng Kampung A plate of 'nasi goreng kampung' makes for a very satisfying meal. — Picture by Ethan Lau Smoky ('wok hei'), spicy fried rice with crunchy ikan bilis. Secretly Googled: How to make the sambal base for the dish. Often-forgotten star: Belacan. That small cube of fermented shrimp paste is what gives the sambal its deep, punchy flavour. Leave it out and all you've got is fried rice, but not kampung style. 2. Kuih Ketayap Fresh pandan juice is the key to a stellar 'kuih ketayap'. — Pictures by Kenny Mah Green pandan flavour crepes with a sweet grated coconut filling. Secretly Googled: The right batter ratio for the crepe. Often-forgotten star: Fresh pandan juice. Bottled pandan essence may give good colour to the crepes, but only real pandan leaves give the soft, floral aroma. Can't fake it. 3. Rendang Daging 'Rendang daging' is a dish that is served at every Malay celebration. — Picture by Choo Choy May Tender beef simmered in coconut milk and spices. Secretly Googled: The kerisik step. Often-forgotten star: Kerisik (toasted coconut). It's what thickens the gravy and gives rendang its deep, nutty flavour. Miss it, and your rendang feels incomplete even if the beef is perfect. 4. Curry Laksa Curry 'laksa' is a most delicious noodle dish. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi Creamy coconut-based noodle dish with tofu, chicken and sambal. Secretly Googled: The correct spice blend. Often-forgotten star: Daun kesum (Vietnamese mint). It adds a sharp, herbal note that cuts through the richness of the broth. Most skip it but it makes a big difference to the dish. 5. Ayam Masak Merah 'Ayam masak merah' is tangy and spicy. — Pictures by Lee Khang Yi Fried chicken braised in a spicy tomato gravy. Secretly Googled: Getting the gravy to thicken. Often-forgotten star: Cinnamon stick. Just one stick transforms the sauce from flat to fragrant. Without it, the sauce is just like a spicy tomato sauce for pasta. 6. Char Kway Teow Whether you want yours with chili or not, a plate of 'char kway teow' must have 'kucai'. — Picture by Choo Choy May Stir-fried flat noodles with prawns, egg, and lap cheong (Chinese sausages). Secretly Googled: How to get 'wok hei' at home. Often-forgotten star: Kucai (Chinese chives). That final toss of chives adds freshness and slight sharpness — a quiet flavour lifter. 7. Sambal Tumis 'Sambal tumis' can be used as a condiment or to cook different dishes. — Picture by CK Lim Rich, oily chilli paste used in countless dishes. Secretly Googled: 'How long to tumis the sambal?' Often-forgotten star: Asam jawa (tamarind paste) Tamarind brings balance and tang to the dish. Without it, your sambal tumis will taste flat. Shopping made easy If reading this brought back flashbacks of staring blankly at a spice shelf, don't worry — you're not alone. The good news? Lotus's has everything you need, from fresh daun kesum to pre-packed kerisik. And while you're there, spend RM100 and join the 'Beli & Menang' contest from 31st July to 24th September. Just submit your receipt via Lotus's app — and if you pay with MyDebit or DuitNow, you'll get 3x entries. What's up for grabs? How about a full year's supply of groceries worth RM6,000 for 16 lucky winners. Or stylish Pensonic Batik Series appliances like a blender and juicer set for 24 winners. And it doesn't stop there: every week, 360 winners will score a treat of 5 days of free Zus Tea plus RM68 in Lotus's e-vouchers. So the next time someone says, 'You know how to make this, right?' — smile, nod… and check your shopping list first.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Indonesia Cuisine: $3.80 lontong you'll dream of after trying
The scent of star anise and cardamom doesn't dissipate from Indonesia Cuisine, no matter how windy it is. I was hooked by their showcase of cooked dishes, and immediately started queuing when I caught a whiff of their rendang. Despite the line snaking from the stall, customers were served promptly, and I received my food without much delay. It was nearing peak lunch hour at Bendemeer Market and Food Centre, which explained the rapidly lengthening queue forming behind me. Phew. I was first introduced to Indonesia Cuisine through its Google reviews, where netizens posted contrasting comments about the lontong and rendang. Which one was truly the best? I was curious too, so it was time for me to go find out! Instead of the usual beef, Indonesia Cuisine serves up a mean Chicken Set (S$4). This set includes a thicc chicken drumstick, crunchy sautéed vegetables, a fried sunny-side-up egg and rice. Everything is topped with a generous layer of the fragrant rendang sauce. Before I start talking about the food, I need to give a shoutout to the prices here. With everything being around the S$5 to S$6 mark these days, I appreciate the set meals priced for less. The cheapest item on the menu is , for just S$2! I'm usually one to start a meal from the small side dishes, but even I couldn't resist the chicken drumstick smothered in sauce. It was easy to peel off chunks of flesh with cutlery alone, a convenience I constantly rave about. The rendang sauce complemented the meatiness of the chicken without overpowering its natural flavours. The spices were a carefully concocted blend; a versatile companion with an umami-packed fragrance. With the addition of the egg, a spoonful of the chicken and rice pair becomes a creamy bite. The vegetables resemble those served with caifan, with a distinct savouriness from oyster sauce. A few pieces of cabbage eaten after deliver a refreshing crunch. However, the chilli could use a little less salt. It didn't deliver much spice — which I'm impartial to — but the extra seasoning on the toppings was overkill. Without the chilli, everything was a-ok! DAN CURRY RICE: New fusion curry rice under $6 with glistening crispy cutlets at Queenstown If the rendang was a gut punch of aromatics, the (S$3.80) was its creamier, gentler sibling. With the first sip, what hit me wasn't spice, but a smooth and almost floral coconut-iness. Calling it 'creamy' is an understatement. This bowl was downright decadent. The sayur lodeh swirled with pale coconut milk tinged orange from spices. It coated the softened vegetables and slices of lontong like a second skin. While the coconut cream did take centre stage in this dish, I appreciated how the curry spices cut through the indulgence. The mild spice and aromatics were invigorating in both scent and taste, preventing the sayur lodeh from becoming too jelak. The cylindrical slices of lontong also played a part in balancing out the flavour profile. The unseasoned centre of the thickly cut rice cake sopped up the soup whilst mellowing out the creaminess. A hard-boiled egg was the perfect finish to the meal. The jelly-like white and crumbly yolk soaked up the last dredges of my sayur lodeh. With the yolk becoming a thick coconut-and-egg paste, this last bite was a delight. The Lontong at Indonesia Cuisine was the highlight of my day. As a creamy food enthusiast, the taste and texture were right up my alley. But I do know that I'm as fickle as they come, and with Singapore's heat these days, soup won't always be what I crave. This is where the Chicken Rendang Set comes in, a filling, no-frills plate of goodness more than worth the S$4 price tag. Overall, the time I spent eating — ahem, investigating this Lontong VS Rendang championship was fruitful. So, what about you? Team Lontong or Team Rendang, there's only one way to find out! Expected damage: S$2 – S$6 per pax One 18 Bakery: Neighbourhood bakery with 18 croissant varieties from $2.50 like beef rendang, Horlicks & chicken satay The post Indonesia Cuisine: $3.80 lontong you'll dream of after trying appeared first on
