The combination of fenugreek seeds and coconut milk gives nasi dagang its unique flavour and fragrance. The rice may first be soaked in water for several hours to soften it. It is then mixed with thick coconut milk, sliced shallots, lemongrass and fenugreek seeds. The rice is steamed until cooked. It may also be steamed twice, where more coconut milk is added when it is half-cooked. Then the rice is steamed again until cooked. This method ensures a more creamy finish to the rice.
Kari Ikan (Fish Curry)
This accompanying dish is only specially prepared for nasi dagang and is sometimes locally called gulai darat. This curry the fish is cooked in is not an Indian-style curry powder but a Malay-style curry, i.e., coconut milk mixed with traditional Malay spices such as lemon grass, galangal, chilli paste, and turmeric. Tuna is the standard choice of fish but other fish can be used as well, such as tenggiri. Chicken and prawns are also used sometimes; however, the gulai darat is prepared slightly differently.
Kelapa Goreng (Fried Coconut)
Kelapa Parut is freshly shaved, mixed with sliced shallots and fried until golden brown.
The vegetable is pickled in rice vinegar and sugar. The vegetables commonly used are cucumber, chilli and carrots.
Sambal
l can sometimes be included.
Telur pindang
, herb-boiled eggs, commonly paired with Nasi dagang among the Malay community in Thailand.
Gulai Lemak Ikan Salai
cooked with spicy and creamy gravy, a side dish usually being accompanied with Nasi Dagang in Natuna and Anambas Islands, Indonesia.
Variants
The Terengganu version uses the normal white rice, while the Kelantanese variety uses a type of rice locally called 'beras nasi dagang', which is a type of wild rice that has a light purple colour and a little glutinous. The Terengganuan version is also much simpler, eaten only with the fish curry and pickles. Outside the Malaysian border, it is a staple breakfast in the deep south of Thailand, the nasi dagang of southern Thailand features a closer version with the special rice used in Kelantan. While across the South China Sea, the Nasi dagang in Natuna & Anambas attributed a similar gurai with the Terangganese version of the rice, although the rice for the Natuna-Anambas version of Nasi Dagang was cooked with coconut milk.
