Nasi lemak is commonly known to be a staple choice of breakfast for Malaysians thanks to its availability and affordability.
Now, it seems that even foreigners have given two thumbs of approval for this ubiquitous dish, with an Australian writer dedicating an entire article explaining why.
‘Nasi lemak the perfect breakfast to start the day’
In an article titled ‘Forget Vegemite on toast – this is how to start the day right’, the writer, Ben Groundwater, first starts off by explaining what nasi lemak is and what were its ingredients.
He wrote that nasi lemak, which directly translates as “rich rice” in Malay, is made of rice cooked with coconut cream and pandan leaves, which is then paired with ingredients such as ikan bilis, peanuts, cucumber slices, a boiled egg, and sambal.
He also said that sometimes beef rendang, fried chicken, chicken curry, or squid with chilli is added to a plate of nasi lemak before cheekily adding: “Now, how’s that toast and Vegemite looking?”
Groundwater then delved into the historical origins of the iconic dish, writing that nasi lemak gained popularity in Malaysia in the 1970s and was first mentioned back in 1909 by British colonial administrator Sir Richard Olaf Winstedt in his book The Circumstances of Malay Life.
Towards the end of the article, Groundwater told readers where they could find nasi lemak in KL and made a special mention of Nasi Lemak Tanglin, which has been around since 1948.
Mixed reactions from netizens
In the comment section, some netizens agreed with Groundwater’s opinion of nasi lemak being the best choice of breakfast.
On the other hand, some weren’t impressed, with one calling nasi lemak “uninteresting” and “tasteless”.
Another raised concern about the health effects of eating nasi lemak for breakfast, adding that it was probably why obesity and diabetes are high in Malaysia.
What do you think of the Australian writer’s thoughts on nasi lemak? Share with us in the comments!
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