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Home / Main Ingredient / Rice & Grain / Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Glutinous Rice)

Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Glutinous Rice)

By: 👩‍🦳 Linda · Published: 🖨 September 17, 2013 · Updated: 💻May 13, 2021 · 🗨 9 Comments

Recipe ▼

Nasi Kunyit is a celebratory rice dish served during weddings and special occasions. It is glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and turmeric.

Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Glutinous Rice) served with Chicken Curry
Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Glutinous Rice) served with Chicken Curry

In Malaysia, the Malays as well as the Chinese serve Nasi Kunyit during special occasions. This yellow rice dish is glutinous (sweet/sticky) rice cooked in coconut milk and turmeric. The color yellow signifies good fortune, wealth, and royalty.

Nasi Kunyit and Full Moon Celebration

To the Malaysian Chinese especially the Baba-Nyonyas (Peranakan), Nasi Kunyit is synonymous with a baby’s Full Moon celebration. The month old baby is formally introduced to extended family and friends during this celebration which also coincides with the end of the new mom’s confinement period. For many, this is the first time they are meeting the newborn.

During this celebration, Nasi Kunyit, red colored hard boiled eggs, and Ang Ku Kueh are served. These are often accompanied by a little Chicken Curry, Pickled Ginger, and Roast Pork Belly. I used to look forward to these celebrations as a child so that I can get a taste of this soft chewy peppercorn studded yellow rice. It was so delicious served with a little curry.

Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Glutinous Rice)

Outside of Full Moon celebrations, Nasi Kunyit is seldom cooked. I remember asking Mom why that is so. She told me that it is reserved only for special occasions. Since I was not the one doing the cooking back then, I had to take it at that. 😉

Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Glutinous Rice) in the steamer

Glutinous Rice

Glutinous (sweet/sticky) rice is a kind of rice grown mainly in Southeast and East Asia. It is sticky when cooked, hence its name in the sense that it is sticky. It has nothing to do with dietary gluten. In fact, there is no gluten at all in the rice and it is safe for those on a gluten free diet. This rice is often used in sweet desserts because it can be easily compressed and made into cakes. Do check out my Pulut Inti recipe which also uses this rice.

Similar Tools Used in Making This Nasi Kunyit

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy here.

Stainless Steel Oven Safe Sauce Pan Cookware, 3-Quart
Stainless Steel Induction Compatible Dutch Oven Cookware, 5.5-Quart
Pyrex Simply Store 7-Cup Round Glass Food Storage Dish,Blue

Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Glutinous Rice) served with Chicken Curry
5 from 2 votes

Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Glutinous Rice)

Nasi Kunyit is a celebratory rice dish served during weddings and special occasions. It is glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and turmeric.
Author : Linda Ooi
Course : Side Dish
Cuisine : Malaysian
Keyword : nasi kunyit, turmeric glutinous rice, turmeric rice
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings : 6
Calories : 440kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups glutinous rice (300g)
  • ½ tsp ground turmeric
  • 2 pieces asam gelugor or 2 tsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 20 white peppercorns
  • 2 pandan leaves (shredded and knotted)
  • ¾ cup coconut milk (300ml)

Instructions
 

  • Wash and drain glutinous rice. Place in a bowl or pan together with ground turmeric and asam gelugor or lime juice. Add enough water to cover the glutinous rice and allow it to soak at least 4 hours.
  • Prepare a steamer with 2 inches of water at the bottom. Bring water to a boil.
  • Drain glutinous rice and place it in steaming container. Add salt, peppercorns, and pandan leaves.
  • Pour in ½ cup (120ml) coconut milk, reserving the remaining ¼ cup (60ml) for later.
  • Transfer to prepared steamer. Cover and steam over medium heat for 20 minutes.
  • Remove lid and fluff glutinous rice with fork. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup (60ml) coconut milk onto rice. Cover and steam for another 10 minutes.
  • Remove and serve warm with curry.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @RotiNRice or tag #RotiNRice

500th Blog Post

By the way, I just realized that this is the 500th post on the blog. I guess that is a celebration of sorts, don’t you think? 😉 Anyway, I served this Nasi Kunyit with Chicken Curry and Beef and Chicken Satay during the long Labor Day weekend. It was all so festive and tasty!

Freshly steamed Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric Glutinous Rice) with Chicken Curry on the stove.

Categories: 🗂 Rice & Grain, Side Dish, Southeast Asian Tags: 📋 Malaysian

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Veronica says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Now you don’t have to wait for special occasion to eat this 😉

    Reply
    • Biren says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:07 am

      So true! I am actually thinking of making it again soon. Will probably do it when I have my curry “fix”. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Mel says

    September 17, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    5 stars
    Yes, this rice compliments together with any curry or rendang together. Simply delicious.

    Reply
    • Biren says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:06 am

      Nasi kunyit and curries are made for each other. So tasty!

      Reply
  3. viv says

    October 18, 2014 at 6:31 am

    lovely! may i ask why assam is needed?

    Reply
    • Linda says

      October 22, 2014 at 6:36 pm

      It is to give it a very slight sourish taste but it is optional.

      Reply
      • Thomas says

        December 10, 2016 at 2:26 pm

        The assam also gives the cooked rice grains a smooth and shining texture.

        Reply
  4. Terry says

    December 15, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    Hi what is this pickled ginger like? Any recipe? I only know of archar which uses cucumber, carrot, shallots, cauliflower and cabbage soaked in yellow vinegar and sesame seeds

    Reply
    • Linda says

      December 16, 2014 at 7:48 am

      Yes, I do have the recipe for pickled ginger and the write-up for it as well in this post. Do check it out.

      Reply

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My grace is sufficient for thee…
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Hi, I’m Linda! I make quick, easy meals, and spin on classics and old favorites with focus on Malaysian, Chinese, and American cuisines. Read more →

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