agree with aisya... Anchovies are one of the main components in nasi lemak. if you are allergic or don't like the taste of fish, you can leave it aside. But, you missed one of the main components.
RM1 nasi lemak bungkus is my savior during my hardship twp decades ago, I didn't have much in my daily budget, so it was my hero. I also like to cook my own nasi lemak every now and then. Nasi lemak consists of fragrant, fluffy coconut rice, spicy sambal, boiled or fried egg, slices of fresh cucumber, fried dried anchovies and peanuts. I normally like to cook sambal sotong together with my nasi lemak, and like to cook karipap to eat with my nasi lemak. I noticed some foreigners don't like the anchovies, but I think it's traditional for the nasi lemak. Which part did you go wrong cooking your nasi lemak? If you know how to cook rice, then you probably can cook nasi lemak, just replace the water with thin or thick coconut milk as you prefer, add a knot of pandan leaf, a bit of shredded ginger, a pinch of salt and sugar and you can even cook your nasi lemak it in the automatic rice cooker. Good luck on cooking your nasi lemak next time. The nasi lemak in the olden days are traditionally steamed and the rice mixed with coconut milk when it's fully cooked will become fluffy and shiny as the fresh coconut milk turned into oil.
Sadly, after two failed attempts to cook the proper nasi lemak rice I gave it up. It's easier for me to just buy it on the street. So where did I go wrong in the process? I'm not really sure. But I'm not much of a cook anyway. I agree with you about the cheap packets of nasi lemak you see on offer from some shops. I've not seen any for 1RM though. Walking through Kampung Baru I occasionally see some 2RM packets.
@@InternationalBigshot Yes, I agree too, if it's just for one, it's much easier to buy nasi lemak from the street, rather than buying the ingredients, cooking it, cleaning the utensils you used etc. Good to know that there's packet RM2 nasi lemak in Kampung Baru. RM1nasi lemak still exists in small towns and villages but the quantity of rice is smaller and probably with only sambal, quarter of bpiled egg, without cucumber, peanuts, dried anchovies. Glad you made this video about nasi lemak. 😀
Good 'Blue Eyed' anchovies can set you back MYR60.00/Kg; raw. That's why nasi lemak sellers would use cheap anchovies which lack in taste and are too salty. For homemade nasi lemak, we would use good quality anchovies. Good things come with high price, as usual....
4:39 Friday is not half working day but longer lunch break (typically from 12.00/30 to 2.30pm) for Muslim to attend prayer, some states observe Friday as rest day (Kelantan, Trengganu, Kedah, Perlis ,Johor).
Bill, ikan bilis is not anchovies that we find in America or Italy. This tiny fish and roasted peanuts are the original ingredients of nasi lemak. Nasi lemak is not nasi lemak without them. It becomes just another rice meal. I miss my nasi lemak as I live in the Bay Area outside San Francisco.
Yes, so I've heard! After making that video I discovered that the ikan bilis were not only liked in Malaysia but were considered an essential part of the dish. I didn't realize that I was committing such a cultural faux pas.
i love ikan bilis but i can eat my nasi lemak wthout ikan bilis provided that it must be substituted by some other kind of meat. And also planet doug say he just met u in KL recently.
For me, it depends on the taste of the anchovies and peanuts. If the anchovies are too salty for my taste, then I'd rather go without it. If the anchovies are not too salty and crispy, then I'd take them but I sometimes don't finish eating them. The same goes for the peanuts - can't have too many of them. Most times, I'm good with the rice with egg, sambal and definitely more of the cucumbers .🙂🙂
Authentic Malay Nasi Lemak is coconut milk rice, sambal, peanuts, anchovies, boiled egg, cucumber.. They are wrapped together in banana leaf for best taste, flavour and aroma.. (it's better to wait for few minutes after wrapped as to let the aroma completely "trapped" in the banana leaf.. the longer the better..)😅 Btw, the rice other than pandan leaves you may add in crushed ginger and/or fenugreek for best aroma and nutrition.
If u don't like d taste of ikan bilis but love d sambal of d nasi lemak, I suggest for u to try and acquire a taste for it, as in anything which may not b to your liking at first few tries. Therein lies d adventure in trying new food, or food which r alien to u. Shld also in d process ask yourself y d locals love it so much, there must b sthing in it!
I think I just dislike the ikan bilis. In my opinion the dish would be better without it, but, as you noted, lots of others disagree. Other commenters have claimed that the ikan bilis is their favorite part.
When I buy nasi lemak from a street stall the ikan bilis is usually mixed with the peanuts. I have seen the ikan bilis like you mentioned mixed into the sambal. I was told street sellers don't usually do it this way so that the ikan bilis doesn't get soggy.
All the core ingredients(including the ikan bilis goreng) that makes the Nasi Lemak truly authentic must be mixed together, and eaten together to get the maximum flavors and texture in each mouthful.😅😊😂
I agree. That's why I like the nasi lemak you get from street vendors. They will usually pack everything into those paper packets and everything is mashed together when you get home or to work and eat it.
I've never known nasi lemak without peanuts and would probably not enjoy it as much if they weren't there. As I mentioned in the video, I could do without the fish. Peanuts, however, add a certain quality to many dishes. I've since begun mixing them into almost every rice dish and even a few noodle ones, kway teow in particular.
One thing to note is tht most of d nasi lemak on sale isnt wht ppl will usually cook at home..obviously most stripped down the ingredients to lower cost and for d sambal is separated frm d anchovies to preserve its freshness..if u go to rural places u can still get authentic nasi lemak
@@InternationalBigshot yes..authentic sambal is one where d anchovies is cooked together wt d sambal..sellers would prepare it separately as they want to use d sambal longer..sellers normally cook d sambal sauce mybe one in 3 days..for cost saving for sure...
You like nasi lemak, rendang, I think you like the rich taste of coconut milk(santan). Anchovies is big part of nasi lemak even the nasi lemak sambal is achovies sauce/sambal ikan bilis
And u hv to understand nasi lemak having anchovies and boil egg is due to those being cheap source of protein..only later it was eaten wt otr side dishes
UMAMI... is the 5th taste besides sweet sour salty n bitter given out by flavor enhancer such as MSG. Some anchovies do have this enhancer added during cooking and drying process of the kiddos school (please excuse my choice of group pronoun).
Umami taste chemical was discovered by Japanese chemist as Sodium Glutimate. Present in some plant and fishes. Now commercially produced from tapioca with various brand such as Ajinomoto in Malaysia.
Ikan bilis gets bad rep because when you buy from the streets you almost always get the lowest grade anchovies. Some almost inedible. The good ones are quite expensive and not many street sellers are willing to use them. Even most restaurants skimp on the quality of their anchovies due to cost factor
This is something I never thought of. I probably still wouldn't like the anchovies but their quality is something to consider. Anchovies are also a popular (sort of) topping for pizza in the U.S. and I think that is where I developed my dislike for them.
@@InternationalBigshot I've seen anchovies on pizzas in America and they look horrible 🤣. The best grade anchovies are miles better than what you get on most street nasi lemak and pizzas I can assure you. Hence why home made nasi lemak is always the best for me. You get to cboose the best quality ingredients
You got your facts wrong regarding Friday is a half day working day and Sat is a work day in KL. Government's Offices get extra hr of lunch break on Fridays for Friday prayers and most offices and all Government's departments get Sats and Sundays as their weekends
agree with aisya... Anchovies are one of the main components in nasi lemak. if you are allergic or don't like the taste of fish, you can leave it aside. But, you missed one of the main components.
Nice content Sir. Saya suka menonton video anda.
Terima kasih kerana menonton!
It's our choice, Must find the right anchovies .....crispy ...."Mata Biru" 🥰
You're the second person to alert me to choosing the correct anchovies. Next time 'mata biru' it is!
Thank you for this wonderful video.
RM1 nasi lemak bungkus is my savior during my hardship twp decades ago, I didn't have much in my daily budget, so it was my hero. I also like to cook my own nasi lemak every now and then. Nasi lemak consists of fragrant, fluffy coconut rice, spicy sambal, boiled or fried egg, slices of fresh cucumber, fried dried anchovies and peanuts. I normally like to cook sambal sotong together with my nasi lemak, and like to cook karipap to eat with my nasi lemak. I noticed some foreigners don't like the anchovies, but I think it's traditional for the nasi lemak. Which part did you go wrong cooking your nasi lemak? If you know how to cook rice, then you probably can cook nasi lemak, just replace the water with thin or thick coconut milk as you prefer, add a knot of pandan leaf, a bit of shredded ginger, a pinch of salt and sugar and you can even cook your nasi lemak it in the automatic rice cooker. Good luck on cooking your nasi lemak next time. The nasi lemak in the olden days are traditionally steamed and the rice mixed with coconut milk when it's fully cooked will become fluffy and shiny as the fresh coconut milk turned into oil.
Sadly, after two failed attempts to cook the proper nasi lemak rice I gave it up. It's easier for me to just buy it on the street. So where did I go wrong in the process? I'm not really sure. But I'm not much of a cook anyway.
I agree with you about the cheap packets of nasi lemak you see on offer from some shops. I've not seen any for 1RM though. Walking through Kampung Baru I occasionally see some 2RM packets.
@@InternationalBigshot Yes, I agree too, if it's just for one, it's much easier to buy nasi lemak from the street, rather than buying the ingredients, cooking it, cleaning the utensils you used etc. Good to know that there's packet RM2 nasi lemak in Kampung Baru. RM1nasi lemak still exists in small towns and villages but the quantity of rice is smaller and probably with only sambal, quarter of bpiled egg, without cucumber, peanuts, dried anchovies. Glad you made this video about nasi lemak. 😀
Good 'Blue Eyed' anchovies can set you back MYR60.00/Kg; raw. That's why nasi lemak sellers would use cheap anchovies which lack in taste and are too salty. For homemade nasi lemak, we would use good quality anchovies. Good things come with high price, as usual....
Terbaik, Terima kasih, Sir..
4:39 Friday is not half working day but longer lunch break (typically from 12.00/30 to 2.30pm) for Muslim to attend prayer, some states observe Friday as rest day (Kelantan, Trengganu, Kedah, Perlis ,Johor).
I love nasi lemak
That makes two of us!
Wow...your language is so good...and im really proud of you sir...good to see you again..👏👏👏👏
Thanks but I'm afraid my vocabulary is quite limited. Ordering food on the street is OK, making a speech in Parliament is another matter.
@@InternationalBigshot ☺️dont worry
it depends on the size of the anchovies , but the smaller ones are much better , it's more crispy , frangrant and tasty
Ikan bilis.. Ikan masin.. Sambal sotong.. Sambal ikan kembung.. Boleh je tukar selera.. 😂😂😂
Saya tidak suka ikan. Itu antara sebab saya tak suka ikan bilis dalam nasi lemak
With ikan bilis or without...
Having nasi lemak with Aisya will definitely make it taste better...🤭
OMG all food you've ordered is all my favorites....yummmmm🤤🤤🤤
I definitely need the crispy ikan bilis in my nasi lemak😊
You're not the only one! So far no one has agreed with me that the peanuts (without the ikan bilis) would make the nasi lemak better.
You know why she said Aisya is always right , because she refers Aisya the wife of our Prophet Muhamma
Have food will wait & line up...❤
Ikan bilis is a must. It's adds texture and saltiness to the dish. It's also an additional source of protein besides the egg and peanuts.
"...saltiness to the dish." That's what Aisya was talking about when she mentioned "umami."
Hey kemon Mr Bigshot..Nasi lemak is not a nasi lemak without kacang and crunchy IKAN BILISSSSSS. Kirim salam Aisya ya 😊
I love ikan bilis !!!
Bill, ikan bilis is not anchovies that we find in America or Italy. This tiny fish and roasted peanuts are the original ingredients of nasi lemak. Nasi lemak is not nasi lemak without them. It becomes just another rice meal. I miss my nasi lemak as I live in the Bay Area outside San Francisco.
Yes, so I've heard! After making that video I discovered that the ikan bilis were not only liked in Malaysia but were considered an essential part of the dish. I didn't realize that I was committing such a cultural faux pas.
Aisha knows better
In my experience Aisya knows better about a lot of things.
Totally agree with Aisya.. lol! That being said, I avoid the ikan bilis as well mainly because of allergy
So far I'm greatly outnumbered on the fish issue. Maybe they're not so bad after all.
@@InternationalBigshot lmao.. taste is subjective I guess :) How about your take on Pancakes with Maple Syrup vs Pancakes with Lemon juice and sugar?
I've never had pancakes with lemon juice and sugar...but it sounds good.
Pakcik Nasi Lemak kelakar
i love ikan bilis but i can eat my nasi lemak wthout ikan bilis provided that it must be substituted by some other kind of meat. And also planet doug say he just met u in KL recently.
I enjoy nasi lemak without meat just "biasa" and without the ikan bilis if I can get it. Doug is right. We met up.a few times while he was in KL.
I like it with fried dried fish. I don't mind no ikan bilis.
Ikan Bilis (Anchovies) is a compulsory ingredient in Nasi Lemak for me.
Looking through the comments most of my viewers feel the same as you. My ikan-bilis-free nasi lemak apparently isn't popular.
For me, it depends on the taste of the anchovies and peanuts. If the anchovies are too salty for my taste, then I'd rather go without it. If the anchovies are not too salty and crispy, then I'd take them but I sometimes don't finish eating them. The same goes for the peanuts - can't have too many of them. Most times, I'm good with the rice with egg, sambal and definitely more of the cucumbers .🙂🙂
YES! A peanut fan. I'm with you.
When you're in the East...go for Laksa Sarawak or Kolo Mee
Authentic Malay Nasi Lemak is coconut milk rice, sambal, peanuts, anchovies, boiled egg, cucumber.. They are wrapped together in banana leaf for best taste, flavour and aroma.. (it's better to wait for few minutes after wrapped as to let the aroma completely "trapped" in the banana leaf.. the longer the better..)😅
Btw, the rice other than pandan leaves you may add in crushed ginger and/or fenugreek for best aroma and nutrition.
Sounds great! I really need to learn how to make this. It doesn't sound difficult but I have failed twice before. I'll keep trying.
@@InternationalBigshot yep.. practice makes perfect! 😁
If u don't like d taste of ikan bilis but love d sambal of d nasi lemak, I suggest for u to try and acquire a taste for it, as in anything which may not b to your liking at first few tries. Therein lies d adventure in trying new food, or food which r alien to u. Shld also in d process ask yourself y d locals love it so much, there must b sthing in it!
I think I just dislike the ikan bilis. In my opinion the dish would be better without it, but, as you noted, lots of others disagree. Other commenters have claimed that the ikan bilis is their favorite part.
Most Mat Saleh don't like the anchovies or fishy taste but most Malaysian love it man 😂😂😂
I prefer sambal ikan bilis like the old time
When I buy nasi lemak from a street stall the ikan bilis is usually mixed with the peanuts. I have seen the ikan bilis like you mentioned mixed into the sambal. I was told street sellers don't usually do it this way so that the ikan bilis doesn't get soggy.
my DIY nasi lemak is with cheese, no anchovies, no nuts, & ghost pepper oily sambal from hell, boiled eggs or boiled beef sausage, salad.
How much is the nasi lemak...
At the Nasi Lemak Alor Corner I usually get it with an added fried egg and that costs RM5 or 6. Nasi lemak biasa is cheaper.
All the core ingredients(including the ikan bilis goreng) that makes the Nasi Lemak truly authentic must be mixed together, and eaten together to get the maximum flavors and texture in each mouthful.😅😊😂
I agree. That's why I like the nasi lemak you get from street vendors. They will usually pack everything into those paper packets and everything is mashed together when you get home or to work and eat it.
For me in the 80s peanuts were never a thing on Nasi Lemak... but now its as is peanuts is an integral part of Nasi Lemak...
...as if...
I've never known nasi lemak without peanuts and would probably not enjoy it as much if they weren't there. As I mentioned in the video, I could do without the fish. Peanuts, however, add a certain quality to many dishes. I've since begun mixing them into almost every rice dish and even a few noodle ones, kway teow in particular.
One thing to note is tht most of d nasi lemak on sale isnt wht ppl will usually cook at home..obviously most stripped down the ingredients to lower cost and for d sambal is separated frm d anchovies to preserve its freshness..if u go to rural places u can still get authentic nasi lemak
So are anchovies a normal part of sambal?
@@InternationalBigshot yes..authentic sambal is one where d anchovies is cooked together wt d sambal..sellers would prepare it separately as they want to use d sambal longer..sellers normally cook d sambal sauce mybe one in 3 days..for cost saving for sure...
Nasi Lemak is popular coz it is tasty, can easily be found in every street corners and it is very cheap, can find Nasi Lemak as cheap as rm1/rm2.
AND, it travels well. I've found some for RM2 near the masjid in Kampung Baru.
You like nasi lemak, rendang, I think you like the rich taste of coconut milk(santan). Anchovies is big part of nasi lemak even the nasi lemak sambal is achovies sauce/sambal ikan bilis
A lot of the sambal I find on the street does not have the anchovies, although I have had some that do.
@@InternationalBigshot it is ingredient in the sambal, sometimes they use anchovies cube
I vote for Aisya, peanut and anchovies hahahahaha
And u hv to understand nasi lemak having anchovies and boil egg is due to those being cheap source of protein..only later it was eaten wt otr side dishes
Yes. I think that is the nasi lemak "biasa" that I usually get. Without the chicken etc.
UMAMI... is the 5th taste besides sweet sour salty n bitter given out by flavor enhancer such as MSG. Some anchovies do have this enhancer added during cooking and drying process of the kiddos school (please excuse my choice of group pronoun).
I had never heard that term before Aisya mentioned in during our recording.
Umami taste chemical was discovered by Japanese chemist as Sodium Glutimate. Present in some plant and fishes. Now commercially produced from tapioca with various brand such as Ajinomoto in Malaysia.
Ikan bilis gets bad rep because when you buy from the streets you almost always get the lowest grade anchovies. Some almost inedible. The good ones are quite expensive and not many street sellers are willing to use them. Even most restaurants skimp on the quality of their anchovies due to cost factor
This is something I never thought of. I probably still wouldn't like the anchovies but their quality is something to consider. Anchovies are also a popular (sort of) topping for pizza in the U.S. and I think that is where I developed my dislike for them.
@@InternationalBigshot I've seen anchovies on pizzas in America and they look horrible 🤣. The best grade anchovies are miles better than what you get on most street nasi lemak and pizzas I can assure you. Hence why home made nasi lemak is always the best for me. You get to cboose the best quality ingredients
You got your facts wrong regarding Friday is a half day working day and Sat is a work day in KL. Government's Offices get extra hr of lunch break on Fridays for Friday prayers and most offices and all Government's departments get Sats and Sundays as their weekends
Roger that. Thanks for the information!
You forgot the kangkung, the water spinach! Original nasi lemak must have it.
that's a new one on me. I've never heard of it.
You can speak good malay now......haa
Maybe, if it's one word at a time.