Travelholic: Nasi Ambeng - Am'Bng' not Am'bang'

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Nasi Ambeng - Am'Bng' not Am'bang'

Yeah, of course I have heard of Nasi Ambeng.
The story that goes with it?
Learning new things everyday.

Let the lesson begin.

As mentioned in my earlier post here, discussing about Javanese delicacies such as Lemper, Punten, Getok and Ketiwol, I thought I should extend it further and write about Nasi Ambeng as well. As many local would have known, Nasi ambeng (pronounce as ambeng not ambang) is a fragrant rice set consists of white rice prepared with 7 types of side dishes; semur style chicken (or ayam masak kicap), fried sambal with soya bean cake (tempe), fried noddle (mee or bihun goring), salted fish, crackers (rempeyek) and coconut floss, the dishes do varies according to clan or district. Having said that, 5 -7 dishes served with white rice is a pretty common site for the Javanese, what differ it is the taste and style of cooking *wink*. Nasi Ambeng is as popular cuisine for the Javanese-Malay communities in Kuala Selangor, Johor and also in Singapore.

How to serve Nasi Ambeng.

Originated from Java Island in Indonesia, Nasi Ambeng is usually served during festivities such as weddings, birthdays and thanksgiving (doa selamat), it is presented in a large tray or ‘dulang’ and enjoyed by a group of 4 to 5 people. It signifies unity and togetherness also encourages the act of caring and sharing among family members, friends and fellow villagers. The host wishes for guest wellbeing be blessed and abundance of wealth. Some says that the food is to be divided equally and guest to bring it home and share it with family members.

Nasi Ambeng also promotes fairness and equality hence the sharing in a single ‘dulang’, the locals believe that there should not be any differentiation between status, wealth and power. This is belief is strongly upheld by the Javanese-Malay communities since 1890 – 1900.