> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thefoodiekitchen.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Nasi Lemak in Coconut Oil — Malaysia's National Dish - URL: https://thefoodiekitchen.net/nasi-lemak-coconut-oil/ - Published: 2026-12-23T10:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-15T04:22:31.000Z - Description: Nasi lemak is Malaysia's national breakfast and most beloved dish — rice cooked in coconut cream and pandan, served with sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, and a fried egg. All in coconut oil. - Author: Savannah Ryan - Tags: Asian Recipes, MAHA Recipes Nasi lemak is as much a cultural institution as a meal. In Malaysia, it is eaten at every hour — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. The rice is cooked in coconut cream with pandan leaf, which gives it a faintly floral aroma and a slightly sticky, creamy texture. Surrounding it are the elements that make the dish: sambal (a chilli paste cooked in coconut oil), fried anchovies (ikan bilis) and peanuts crisped in coconut oil, cucumber, and a fried egg. Together they create a complete spectrum of flavour — sweet, hot, salty, fresh, and creamy simultaneously. ## The Coconut Rice You Will Need for This Recipe Red Boat Fish Sauce $18 The correct seasoning for the nasi lemak sambal. [Buy →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VM4B5M?tag=thefoodieki0f-20&ref=thefoodiekitchen.net) Nutiva Virgin Coconut Oil $22 Cold-pressed coconut oil — for the sambal, egg, and anchovies. [Buy →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019LRY8A?tag=thefoodieki0f-20&ref=thefoodiekitchen.net) Affiliate links — small commission earned at no extra cost to you. Nasi lemak rice is cooked by absorption in a mixture of coconut cream and water with pandan leaves knotted together and added to the pot. The ratio of coconut cream to water affects the richness: more coconut cream produces a richer, stickier rice. The pandan leaves perfume the steam during cooking and are removed before serving. The result should be fragrant, slightly glutinous, and visibly richer than plain steamed rice. ## Serves 4 · Prep 20 min · Cook 30 min Serves 4 Prep 20 min Cook 30 min ### Ingredients - Coconut rice: 300g long grain rice; 200ml coconut cream; 200ml water; 2 pandan leaves knotted; 1/2 tsp salt - Sambal: 8 dried red chillies soaked; 4 shallots; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tbsp tamarind paste; 1 tsp sugar; 2 tbsp coconut oil - Accompaniments: 50g dried anchovies (ikan bilis) fried in coconut oil; 50g roasted peanuts; 1 cucumber sliced; 4 eggs fried in coconut oil ### Method 1. Rice: combine rice, coconut cream, water, pandan, salt. Cook by absorption (20 min covered on low heat after bringing to boil). 2. Sambal: blend chillies, shallots, garlic. Fry in coconut oil 8-10 minutes. Add tamarind and sugar. Cook 5 more minutes. Season. 3. Fry dried anchovies in coconut oil until golden and crispy, 3-4 minutes. 4. Fry eggs in coconut oil sunny side up. 5. Serve rice with sambal, anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, and egg alongside. Frequently Asked Questions What is pandan? A tropical plant with long, fragrant green leaves used throughout Southeast Asian cooking to add a distinctive sweet, slightly vanilla-like aroma. Available fresh or frozen at Asian grocery stores. Where to find dried anchovies (ikan bilis)? Asian grocery stores — look for the small, silver dried fish in bags. Rinse before frying to remove excess salt. What makes nasi lemak sambal different from regular chilli sauce? Nasi lemak sambal is fried in coconut oil with shallots and tamarind — it has a deep, caramelised character rather than the fresh, raw heat of an uncooked chilli sauce. Shop This Recipe Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Virgin coconut oil — for the sambal, the anchovies, and the fried egg. [Get on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019LRY8A?tag=thefoodieki0f-20&ref=thefoodiekitchen.net) Savannah Ryan · Amazon Savor Asia 20 Asian recipes in lard, ghee and coconut oil — nasi lemak, rendang, pad thai, bibimbap and more. [Get on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSKHTT13?ref=thefoodiekitchen.net) Related Recipes - [Malaysian Beef Rendang](https://thefoodiekitchen.net/malay-rendang-coconut-oil/) - [Thai Green Curry](https://thefoodiekitchen.net/thai-coconut-oil/) - [Thai Red Curry](https://thefoodiekitchen.net/thai-red-curry-coconut-cream/) - [Hawaiian Poke Bowl](https://thefoodiekitchen.net/hawaiian-poke-bowl-coconut-oil/) **Related guides:** [Is Coconut Oil a Seed Oil?](https://thefoodiekitchen.net/is-coconut-oil-a-seed-oil/) Shop on The Foodie Kitchen - [Seed oil free pantry guide — every fat, every brand](https://thefoodiekitchen.net/seed-oil-free-pantry-staples-amazon/) - [All 25 seed oil free cookbooks by Savannah Ryan](https://thefoodiekitchen.net/cookbooks/) 📌 **Follow on Pinterest:** [Asian Seed Oil Free Recipes on Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/theefoodiekitchen/asian-recipes/?ref=thefoodiekitchen.net) --- Follow Savannah: [@theefoodiekitchen](https://www.instagram.com/theefoodiekitchen/?ref=thefoodiekitchen.net) · [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572217094296) · [All Links](https://linktr.ee/theefoodiekitchen?ref=thefoodiekitchen.net)