It’s always a heartwarming moment for Malaysians abroad to spot a familiar dish in an unexpected place.
Whether it’s a street food stall in Europe or a Southeast Asian-inspired café in the U.S., these encounters are often tinged with nostalgia and pride.
But sometimes, what looks familiar turns out to have a quirky, local twist—challenging expectations while offering a fresh perspective on homegrown cuisine.
American chef serves up Nasi Lemak with acar & pork floss
This was precisely the experience of a Malaysian traveller who recently discovered a stall selling nasi lemak in the unlikeliest of places—Honolulu, Hawaii.
During a stroll through a farmers’ market in Honolulu, the traveller spotted the stall Nasi Lemak Hawaii.
Initially thrilled at the sight of Malaysia’s beloved dish thousands of kilometres from home, his excitement was cut short when he noticed that it was served with pork floss.
Intrigued by the unusual take, the traveller decided to meet the stall owner, Chef Andrew, to learn more about why he chose to bring nasi lemak to Hawaii.
Chef Andrew revealed that his passion for Malaysian food began nearly two decades ago in New York.
“I was introduced to Malaysian food about 16 or 17 years ago by a chef named Zachlazio, who owned a Malaysian restaurant. From that moment, I’ve been obsessed ever since,” Andrew shared.
The chef explained that Malaysian cuisine’s appeal lies in its bold and vibrant flavours—a perfect blend of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty elements.
Although nasi lemak was unfamiliar to many locals at first, it soon won them over.
“Once they try it (nasi lemak), people keep coming back,” Andrew said proudly.
Aside from the classic nasi lemak with sambal and anchovies, the stall offers other dishes such as beef rendang, vegetable curry, fried chicken, and pak choy, giving it a unique twist to suit the Hawaiian palate.
A Malaysian’s reaction to Nasi Lemak in Hawaii
However, not every Malaysian is convinced by the changes. Speaking to WeirdKaya, Aiman Ariffin, who discovered the stall during his trip, shared his mixed feelings.
“When I first saw it, I was shocked—it didn’t look like the nasi lemak I know. The sambal was more like sambal nasi kukus or geprek, and they even added acar (pickled vegetables), which is rare in Malaysia,” Aiman remarked.
When asked if he found other Malaysian dishes in Hawaii, Aiman replied:
“Nope, not a single Malaysian restaurant. The closest thing would be Thai or Vietnamese places, which are everywhere.”
Suggestions for a more authentic taste
While Aiman appreciated the effort to recreate nasi lemak, he suggested a few changes to make it more authentic.
“It’s cool that they put their own spin on it, just like how we modify Western food back home. But the rice didn’t seem to have santan (coconut milk), and the sambal was way off. These two elements are really important,” he said.
Adding to the surprises, Aiman shared another unexpected detail.
“They even had taugeh (bean sprouts)??????” he exclaimed, still amused by the ingredient.
Despite the modifications, Nasi Lemak Hawaii reflects how Malaysian food continues to make its mark across the globe, blending traditional flavours with local influences.
While it may not be the exact nasi lemak Malaysians are familiar with, it’s clear proof of the growing appreciation for the country’s culinary heritage, even in places as far as Hawaii.
Watch the clip here:
