The Sacred Yellow Rice

Nasi kunyit or turmeric rice, after translated to English, is glutinous rice cooked with turmeric coloring and is usually served with coconut milk chicken curry or beef curry. Nasi kunyit is a famous dish not only among the Malays but also for the Chinese and Indian as well. Historically, the turmeric rice has long been considered a “sacred” dish that is offered for spirits at sacred sites. As a result, the turmeric rice has to be prepared with extra attention and care.

Today, the glutinous rice, usually served with chicken or beef curry, is a special dish at Malay weddings. The Chinese offer this yellow rice, together with red eggs, ginger and “Ang Koo” (Literally “Red Tortoise”, a Nyonya Cake) to family members and friends to celebrate the birth of a baby when it turns a month old.

The Yellowish Nasi Kunyit or Turmeric Rice

You can get a taste of this delicious nasi kunyit dish at Malay and some Indian Muslim restaurant throughout the country. I have seen some Chinese hawker stalls selling the glutinous rice that is served with curry but these stalls are limited and hard to find. Even the stalls selling the Malay version of nasi kunyit are also limited and hard to find. Not all Malaysians like the sticky glutinous rice as it’s filling and some people believe it’s hard to be digested.

The Ang Koo” that is
served with the Turmeric Rice

All in all, the nasi kunyit is worth trying if you ever come across a stall that is selling this delicious dish. It’s usually cheap and should cost not more than RM5 per dish that includes the beef or chicken curry.

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