Nasi goreng is the national dish of Indonesia — fried rice with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), garlic, shallots, and egg. It is eaten at any time of day, from street carts and family kitchens across the archipelago. The kecap manis (which translates simply as 'sweet soy sauce') gives Indonesian fried rice its characteristic dark colour and sweet-savoury depth that distinguishes it from Chinese or Japanese fried rice.
Nasi Goreng Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked jasmine rice, day-old and cold
- 3 tbsp pasture-raised lard
- 4 large eggs
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp shrimp paste (terasi) — optional but traditional
- 100g cooked chicken or raw prawn (optional)
- 2 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- To serve: sliced spring onions, sliced cucumber, sliced tomato, prawn crackers
Method
- Heat the lard in a wok over high heat. Fry the shallots and garlic for 2 minutes until golden.
- Add the shrimp paste if using. Stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the protein if using. Cook through.
- Add the cold rice. Press flat against the pan and leave for 90 seconds. Stir, press again. Repeat twice — the rice should be toasted and slightly caramelised.
- Push the rice to the sides. Crack 2 eggs into the centre. Scramble quickly until just set. Fold through the rice.
- Drizzle the kecap manis and soy sauce over the rice. Toss everything together for 1 minute.
- Divide between 4 plates. Fry the remaining 2 eggs sunny-side up in a little extra lard. Serve the fried rice topped with a fried egg, sliced cucumber, and tomato.
What is kecap manis?
Indonesian sweet soy sauce — thick, dark, and sweet. It is the defining flavour of nasi goreng. Available at Asian grocery stores. Most brands contain only soy, sugar, and spices with no seed oils.
Is nasi goreng seed oil free?
Yes with lard. Most restaurant nasi goreng uses canola or palm olein. Home-cooked with lard is the seed oil free version.
What is shrimp paste?
Fermented shrimp paste (terasi or belacan) — a pungent block of dried, fermented shrimp. Small amounts give enormous depth. Available at Asian grocery stores.
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