Nasi Goreng: Indonesian Fried Rice

Nasi Goreng: Indonesian Fried Rice

Nasi goreng (literally 'fried rice') is Indonesia's national dish and one of the world's greatest fried rices. Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), sambal paste and a fried egg on top set it apart from all others.

History of the dish

Nasi goreng appeared as a way of using up leftover rice and became a classic warung (small restaurant) street dish. There are thousands of versions: with seafood, chicken, pork (babi), or purely vegetarian.

Key ingredients

Cooked rice (yesterday's cold rice is best), kecap manis, sambal or kala mandes paste, garlic, shallot, egg, soy sauce, vegetable oil. Garnish: krupuk crackers, cucumber, fried shallots.

How to cook at home

Cold rice is essential: fresh rice clumps in the wok. Stir-fry over very high heat, tossing constantly. Add kecap manis at the end — it burns quickly over high heat.