Nasi Kuning
Yellow Turmeric Rice
Main DishFragrant rice cooked with fresh turmeric, coconut milk, lemongrass, and pandan leaves, giving it a vivid golden-yellow color and a rich, subtly sweet, aromatic flavor. The turmeric and coconut milk infuse each grain, making it far more flavorful than plain steamed rice. Often shaped into a cone (tumpeng) for ceremonial occasions or served as the base for nasi campur.
Spice Level
No Spice
Difficulty
Easy
Prep Time
30 minutes
Price Range
Budget Friendly
Ingredients
Where to Try
Morning markets across Bali, especially Pasar Badung in Denpasar and Ubud Market. Street vendors often sell nasi kuning wrapped in banana leaf as an affordable grab-and-go breakfast. It also appears as part of nasi campur at traditional warungs.
Cultural Context
The golden color of nasi kuning carries deep symbolic meaning in Balinese Hindu culture, representing prosperity, dignity, and the grace of the gods. It is an essential component of ceremonial offerings (banten) and is always present at important life events — births, weddings, and temple anniversaries. When shaped into a cone (tumpeng), it symbolizes Mount Meru, the sacred mountain at the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology. Cutting the tip of the tumpeng and offering it to the most respected person present is a cherished ritual.
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