When it comes to Malaysian food, nothing beats a good plate of nasi goreng, a dish that embodies the perfect balance of spice, texture, and umami.
This beloved dish recently stole the limelight after an American TikToker cooked it himself, where he won widespread praise and approval from Malaysians for his version of nasi goreng.
US TikToker makes Nasi Goreng
In a 57-second clip uploaded by Cooking with Kian, whose real name is Kian Hiatt, it showed him whipping up his rendition of nasi goreng.
His precise technique, attention to detail, and ability to replicate the rich flavors of the dish, especially when he added shrimp paste, also known as belacan, left many Malaysians both surprised and thoroughly impressed.
Kian also included all the key ingredients of an authentic plate of nasi goreng, from crispy fried anchovies (ikan bilis) to the signature runny egg on top. He even took the time add freshly-pounded belacan into the sambal, giving it that deep umami punch that Malaysians love.
Additionally, his choice of ingredients showed a true understanding of the dish, where he incorporated thinly sliced red chilies for an added kick, used day-old rice to achieve the perfect texture, and made sure to fry everything in a well-seasoned wok for that essential wok hei.
The final result was a visually stunning and flavorful nasi goreng that could easily be mistaken for one made by a seasoned Malaysian cook.
Approved by M’sians
The video has since gone viral with over 4.3 million views, with Malaysians commending Kian for staying true in his cooking of nasi goreng.
‘Malaysian here…I APPROVED!’
‘As a Malaysian, I approved immediately after you put the belacan in there.’
‘I rarely watch foreigners make nasi goreng that looks delicious, but this one really looks good.’
Watch the video here:
@cooking_with.kian Nasi Goreng
♬ original sound – Cooking_with_kian
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