Easiest Malaysian Vegetarian Nasi Lemak Recipe

How about a simple yet satisfying Vegetarian Nasi Lemak? Nasi Lemak is a beloved Malaysian classic that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. I’m excited to share the easiest and simplest vegetarian version with you, along with perfect pairings. Let’s get to the recipe.

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak is often translated as "rich or creamy rice" in English. This name refers to rice cooked in coconut milk, giving it a rich, creamy flavor - essentially, coconut milk rice. Whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, the rice is the star of the dish, and for both variations, it is always vegetarian (GOBI MANCHURIAN & VEG CAULIFLOWER RECIPES).

Making nasi lemak is straightforward, and I always rely on my rice cooker:

Wash the rice. 

Add coconut milk (whether you prefer it thicker or lighter, adjust the amount as needed, just like you would use water to cook rice in the rice cooker), pandan leaves, and a pinch of salt.

That’s it. Some add ginger or cloves, but my question is -  Why add other ingredients when the scent of pandan leaves combined with the rich, creamy taste of coconut milk is exactly how a classic Malaysian Nasi Lemak should be?

Pairing Options

Vegetarian Sambal

For sambal, you can choose fresh chilies, dried chilies, or a combination of both. Add either sliced or blended onions or shallots - my preference is shallots since they’re sweeter—and balance it with tomatoes or tamarind juice.

Vegetarian Rendang

Explore a variety of rendang recipes listed at RENDANG RECIPES: POTATOES. The central ingredient is flexible; you can choose from vegetarian mutton, soy chunks, tofu, or even potatoes to create a hearty and flavorful rendang. Here’s the easiest and simplest Vegetarian Mutton Rendang recipe (VEGETARIAN MUTTON RECIPES).

Ingredients 

For the Rendang Paste

5 red fresh chilies

1 lemongrass stalk

1 inch galangal

3 shallots

5 cloves garlic

½ inch fresh turmeric

A little water

Blend these ingredients together.

 

Other Ingredients

½ packet vegetarian mutton

¼ cup oil

¼ cup coconut milk

Salt to taste

Sliced turmeric leaf for scenting

 

Method

Heat the oil and fry the rendang paste until aromatic and the oil separates.

Add the vegetarian mutton, coconut milk, and salt.

Stir everything together and remove from heat.

Combine in the turmeric leaf for added aroma.

Pairng Options

Peanuts are a popular,  but why not try turmeric tofu, fried tempeh, crispy fried oyster mushrooms, or crispy shallots?

 

For tofu, you can pan-grill or lightly pan-fry for a healthier alternative to deep frying.

For tempeh, fry or pan grill after adding some salt on the sliced tempeh piece. Alternatively, mix tempeh  with chili or curry powder and a bit of salt, then fry the pieces until golden.

My personal favorite is crispy fried oyster mushrooms - just fry them in oil and sprinkle with salt for extra crunch.

Try adding some crispy shallots on top of the nasi lemak for an additional tasty dimension; they serve as a great alternative to fried anchovies in non-vegetarian nasi lemak.

While cucumber is a must, you can also add salad leaves for extra freshness.

 

Fried shallots, along with their oil, can be added to the salad leaves, serving as a delicious condiment as well.

Isn’t this the easiest Vegetarian Nasi Lemak? In a world filled with busyness, the simplest meals often bring the most joy, saving time and energy. I’ve found that simple, minimal-ingredient meals like this can taste better than spending hours on over-complicated recipes. After all, home-cooked food is about putting a decent meal on the table.