Nasi Kuning – Indonesian Yellow Coconut Turmeric Rice
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Nasi Kuning (Nasi Kunyit) is a traditional Indonesian rice dish and a staple at celebratory events.
White rice is cooked in coconut milk with aromatic ingredients such as turmeric, lemongrass, and pandan leaves. The rice absorbs all these delicious flavors, resulting in a fragrant, rich-tasting, yellow rice.
Nasi means Rice in English, and Kuning means Yellow. So literally it’s Yellow Rice. The golden yellow color is considered to symbolize good fortune and wealth to whom it is cooked for.
I remember my grandmother making yellow rice for all our big family events – births, birthdays, weddings, and other gatherings. The last time I had her Nasi Kuning was almost 30 years ago. She made it for me and my roommate when we moved into our apartment in Amsterdam. It felt really special. She was getting older, and we weren’t sure if she could manage the steep stairs to our place, but she was determined. Nasi Kuning had to be made to bless the house and bring good fortune. As she stirred the rice, she kept repeating a prayer to bless the home and look after me, my roommate, and our cat. The whole place was filled with the wonderful aroma of her Nasi Kuning.
Check out more traditional dishes in the Indonesian main dishes list.
How to Serve Nasi Kuning
Nasi Kuning is usually eaten with a variety of side dishes, such as fried chicken, beef rendang, sambal goreng telur (spicy eggs), and vegetables, creating a festive and hearty meal.
My family is from Java where large celebratory meals are called Selamatan (or Slametan). Cooked to mark significant life events, express gratitude, or seek blessings. To make the occasion even more meaningful, the yellow rice can be shaped into a large cone, known as Nasi Tumpeng, and surrounded by all the side dishes.
I think any day can be turned into a special occasion. There is always something to appreciate. Let’s find that reason, have a party, and make some Nasi Kuning together.
Storing Leftover Nasi Kuning
Rice is best eaten fresh. You can store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You could also freeze it for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat in the microwave or steam on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore moisture.
Typical Indonesian Ingredients
Sereh (lemongrass) is a staple in Indonesian cooking. Typically it is bruised and added to the dish during cooking, then removed before serving.
Daun jeruk purut (makrut lime leaf) is also widely used in Indonesian cuisine. It adds a distinctive citrus flavor to the dish. If you can’t find fresh or frozen leaves, you can substitute with dried jeruk purut leaves, though the flavor will be less intense. To use dried leaves, soak them in hot water to rehydrate and release their aroma before adding them to the dish.
Pandan leaves add a unique, fragrant flavor and can add a hint of green color to dishes.
They are commonly used to infuse rice, desserts, and savory dishes with a subtle, sweet, and
aromatic essence. If fresh pandan leaves aren’t available, you can substitute with dried pandan
leaves.
Nasi Kuning (Indonesian Yellow Rice)
Nasi Kuning is Indonesian yellow rice, flavored with coconut milk and turmeric. This recipe shows how easy it is to make this fragrant, flavorful dish at home. Perfect for festive occasions or everyday meals!
Nasi Kuning fits vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a pot, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add the rice, coconut milk, turmeric, and a pinch of salt.
- Tie both the pandan leaf and the bruised lemongrass in a knot, and add them with the djeruk purut leaf to the pan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Stir frequently so the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Once the rice is done cooking, remove the lemongrass, pandan leaf, and djeruk purut leaf before serving. Fluff the rice with a fork.
Notes
You can adjust the amount of turmeric to control the depth of the yellow color.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 186Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 98mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 3gSugar: 8gProtein: 3g
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated. These figures should be considered estimates.
