Nasi Lemak, a Malaysia's national dish

Coconut rice, chili on the side, slivers of anchovy, nuts, and a boiled egg: meet Malaysia’s national dish, the nasi lemak. A simple everyday meal gracing the dinner table of Malaysians all across the country, this beloved dish has a history as humble as its ingredients.

The nasi lemak started off as a farmer’s meal. Long days in the field meant a filling dish ready for on-the-go eating was essential. The rice, oils, and fish provided a balanced diet in one packet, and it was easily concocted too. A recipe of Malay origin, it made use of the seafront harvests, coconuts, and fish.

A closer look at the individual ingredients shows exactly why this plain dish is so revered among the locals.

Santan rice

Plain white rice is steamed in coconut milk; not cooked, for the risk of burning the rice is higher. Coconut milk, or santan, is the “lemak” of the dish: the richness. Often, cooks will add a little extra something to personalize the flavor of the rice, such as ginger, lemongrass, or shallots, but always pandan to create the trademark subtle taste.

Read more: Breakfast in Malaysia and dishes you should try

Sambal

A spicy, semi-sweet chili paste is drizzled on the side of the plate; each distinguishable from the next. Malaysians, being of multicultural Asian heritage, have a fondness for spices that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. More signature-worthy than the rice, this crucial element to the nasi lemak can range from a complementary sweetness to bold spiciness. The chili oils provide great mix for the rice, giving it that beautiful vermilion stain.

Fried anchovies, nuts, cucumber, and a boiled egg

This handful of side dishes helps transform the packet into a nutritionally balanced meal. The anchovies are usually the fatter, flat variety, instead of the needle-thin ones, while the egg might come sliced in halves – but without even one of these, the nasi lemak is unacceptable.

Nasi lemak, being a cheap and loved pre-packaged meal, is sold almost everywhere, from little roadside stalls to five-star restaurants that provide buffets and fusion foods. The side dishes may vary, but the best add-ons include rendang, a spicy savory curry usually made with beef; fried chicken spiced and herbed specially; and veggie assortments of spinach or kangkung (water spinach).

The flavors of nasi lemak have also changed as the predominantly Malay taste is adopted and tweaked by the introduction of the many other races of Malaysia. For example, Chinese nasi lemak tends to be served alongside non-halal side dishes, notably pork slices. Indian versions of the meal tend to resemble their signature banana-leaf rices, and the sambal is mixed together with other curries. Whatever your preferred taste, this dish is sure to impress with its understated flavors and humble charm.

Source theculturetrip

The best restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam

Visit Sapa, no matter what your goal is, your needs and expectations will be met as it is such an amazing place that offers you a chance to experience all the sights, sounds and tastes of northwest mountains of Vietnam. Sapa cuisine is also one of the most outstanding features that appeal to visitors. For those who are keen on local dishes of this mountainous area, paying a visit to best restaurants in Sapa to indulge in mouth-watering dishes is an ultimate experience.

Hill Station Signature Restaurant

A showcase of Hmong cuisine with cool Zen decor and superb views. Dishes include flash-cooked pork with lime, ash-baked trout in banana leaves, and traditional Hmong-style black pudding. Tasting sets of local rice and corn wine are also of interest to curious travelling foodies. Do not miss to try the delicate rainbow-trout rice-paper rolls, think of them as 'Sapa sushi'.

Address: 37 Fansipan Street, Sapa

Paradise View Restaurant

Located in the center of Sapa town, Paradise View Restaurant is a perfect spot for awesome meals with great ambience and beautiful view. Here, tourists can have a chance to enjoy a number of scrumptious dishes including bean soup seasoned with mountain herbs, banana flower salad, crème brulee as well as salmon hot pot. Moreover, staff of the restaurant is lovely, hospital and friendly who offers outstanding customers services.

Address: 018 Pham Xuan Huan, Sapa

Nature View

Another location in which you can dine with a fantastic view of the hilly surroundings, Nature View, stays true to its name. On the menu are a mix of delicious Vietnamese and Western food items, and the dining experience is only further enhanced by the lovely service. It is also a great place to take some time to yourself, sit outside, above the clouds, and sip some local Lao Cai coffee as you enjoy a great book. The chicken sautéed in lemongrass and basil, grilled salmon, and the yoghurt sautéed chicken are worth a special mention. It is opened 24 hours.

Address: 61 Fansipan, Sapa

Good Morning Vietnam

Good Morning Vietnam is has attractive wooden furniture and you can observe the beautiful landscape from the window. The menu includes vegetarian food, Vietnamese food, and a little bit of Western food. The recommended dishes in this restaurant are coconut chicken curry and honey duck. The amazing views are also complemented by the professional and friendly staff of the restaurant.

Address: 63B Fansipan, Sapa

Anise Sapa Restaurant

As a mid-range restaurant, Anise Sapa has a varied menu of Vietnamese food, Western food, and vegetarian food. The restaurant has a brick fireplace and is decorated with ethnic items and pictures of Sapa on the wall. Chicken schnitzel and smoked sausage are the most recommended dishes. The chef and staff are friendly, professional, and they even speak good English.

Address: 21 Xuan Vien, Sapa

Read more: What to do when you are in Sapa

Le Gecko

With Le Gecko, you can identify the integration of French classic option and Vietnamese ingredients. Being renowned for awesome French cuisine, Le Gecko is always proud to offer best aromatic food with best drink at a reasonable price. Here, you can also have a lot of choices for your meal ranging from burgers, breakfasts, steaks, salads, pork, seafood, chicken, beef and so on.

Address: 04 Ham Rong, Sapa

Source Internet

Top 8 attractions in Tokyo, Japan

With so much to see and do in Tokyo, the list of must-sees is potentially endless. Narrow your search with these top 8 Tokyo attractions.

Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum is enormous, spread across multiple galleries and structures in Ueno Park. If you’re tight on time, make your way to the Main Gallery (Honkan) for a chronological exploration of Japanese history and art.

Takeshita-dori

Colorful and lively Takeshita Street is located in Harajuku and is one of the district’s most iconic attractions. The shopping area is packed with small shops and vendors selling offbeat fashions, quirky souvenirs, and everything kawaii.

Senso-ji

Senso-ji is one of Tokyo’s most visited temples. Not only because of its sheer size and cultural significance but because it claims to be the oldest of the city’s temples. The surrounding historic district and shopping street, Nakamise-dori, also contribute to Senso-ji’s popularity.

Hamarikyu Onshi Teien

This traditional Japanese strolling garden was once the property of the Tokugawa Clan, the former shoguns of Edo. Don’t forget to visit the antique teahouse located within its walls, Nakajima no Ochaya, for the full experience.

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing is known as the busiest pedestrian scramble in the world in terms of foot traffic. It’s the perfect starting point to any exploration further into the district.

Tokyo Dome

The Yomiuri Giants, Japan’s oldest professional baseball team, call the Tokyo Dome home. But the multipurpose structure also hosts concerts and other sporting events as well. Catch a game rain or shine, or spend an hour browsing the nearby Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

Golden Gai

Golden Gai is a collection of narrow alleys and two-story bars, a rare sight in the metropolis of Shinjuku. Most are so small they can only accommodate a handful of customers, which is the reasoning behind the hefty seating charges. It has mostly been taken over by visitors in recent years, but you’ll still encounter the odd locals-only signage or chilly reception now and then.

Read more: Things to do in Asakusa, Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree

Located in Sumida Ward, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in the entire prefecture and a popular attraction among locals and visitors alike. Shop and dine at the Skytree Village, or make your way to the observatories for a new perspective on Tokyo.

Source Internet