Nasi Kerabu
Global • non_veg
About Nasi Kerabu
Blue rice salad from Kelantan
How to Make Nasi Kerabu (Traditional & Healthy Version)
Nasi Kerabu is a unique and visually stunning rice dish that hails from Malaysia’s East Coast, especially the state of Kelantan. Renowned for its vibrant blue rice colored naturally with bunga telang (butterfly pea flower), Nasi Kerabu is a celebration of Malaysian multicultural cuisine, bringing together the aromatic flavors of lemongrass, pandan, and fresh herbs. This healthy interpretation of the dish maintains its authenticity, offering a balanced meal that’s both nourishing and satisfying. Malaysians love Nasi Kerabu for its variety of textures and flavors—herbaceous, tangy, slightly spicy, and umami-rich, thanks to ingredients like belacan and serunding ayam (spiced chicken floss). It’s a common sight at pasar malam (night markets) and festive gatherings. This dish is typically served with grilled chicken or fish, a medley of raw ulam (local salad greens), hard-boiled eggs, and a spicy sambal sauce. The unique combination makes Nasi Kerabu not just a meal, but an experience deeply rooted in Malaysian food heritage, perfect for a wholesome lunch.
Ingredients(for 1 plate with blue rice, grilled chicken, ulam, sambal, and egg)
- 2 cups Blue rice (beras biru, cooked with bunga telang) (Steamed with pandan and bunga telang)
- 200g Chicken breast (Grilled with turmeric)
- 1 cup Ulam (local herbs and salad greens) (Daun kesum, daun selom, long beans)
- 1 Hard-boiled egg
- 1/3 cup Fresh coconut (parut kelapa) (Lightly toasted)
- 1 stalk Lemongrass (serai) (Finely sliced)
- 1 leaf Pandan leaf (Knotted)
- 1/4 cup Santan (light coconut milk) (For rice)
- 1 tsp Belacan (shrimp paste) (For sambal)
- 2 Chili padi (bird’s eye chili) (For sambal) - optional
- to taste Salt
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the blue rice by soaking bunga telang in hot water to extract the color. Strain and add this to your rinsed rice with pandan leaf, light santan, and a pinch of salt. Steam or cook as usual.
15 minutes
Use fresh bunga telang flowers for the most vibrant blue.
- 2
Marinate chicken breast with turmeric, salt, and a little crushed lemongrass. Grill until fully cooked and golden brown.
10 minutes
Grilling the chicken adds flavor without extra oil.
- 3
Prepare ulam by finely slicing daun kesum, daun selom, and long beans. Keep them fresh and crisp.
5 minutes
Rinse ulam in cold water to retain crunch.
- 4
Toast grated coconut until golden in a dry pan. Mix with sliced lemongrass and a pinch of salt to create a fragrant topping.
5 minutes
Stir constantly to prevent burning.
Why This Dish is Healthy
This healthy Nasi Kerabu recipe is lower in fat thanks to grilling the protein and using light santan. The inclusion of various ulam offers fiber and phytonutrients, making it ideal for weight management and gut health. With a moderate calorie count, high protein, and plenty of vitamins, it’s a smart choice for anyone seeking nutritious Malaysian meals.
Nasi Kerabu provides a balanced macronutrient profile with lean protein from grilled chicken, complex carbohydrates from blue rice, and healthy fats from coconut. The abundance of fresh ulam delivers essential vitamins like vitamin A, C, and K, plus minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Ingredients like pandan and lemongrass add antioxidants, while using light santan keeps saturated fat low. This meal supports energy, muscle repair, and digestive health.
Pro Tips
- 💡Tip 1: Use freshly picked bunga telang for the most natural blue color.
- 💡Tip 2: Slice ulam just before serving to retain maximum flavor and nutrients.
- 💡Tip 3: Toast coconut on low heat for an even golden color and nutty aroma.
Storage & Serving
Store rice and chicken separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep ulam and sambal in separate containers to maintain freshness. Reheat rice and chicken before serving.
Best served: Breakfast or Lunch
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per 100g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 550.0 kcal |
| Protein | 18.0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 85.0 g |
| Total Fat | 14.0 g |
| Fiber | 5.0 g |
| Sugars | 1.2 g |
| Sodium | 330.0 mg |
| Potassium | 120.0 mg |
| Cholesterol | 18.0 mg |
| Vitamin A | 110.0 IU |
| Vitamin C | 5.0 mg |
| Calcium | 35.0 mg |
| Iron | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium | 18.0 mg |
| Zinc | 0.6 mg |
| Phosphorus | 65.0 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 IU |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.0 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.9 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.2 µg |
| Folate | 22.0 µg |
