Nasi kebuli — a indonesian main course dish from Indonesia — featuring ghee-enriched rice, goat meat broth base, festive pilaf

Nasi kebuli · Indonesian · Main Course

Nasi kebuli

Born in Indonesia

“Rice cooked in goat meat broth, goat milk, and clarified butter—pilaf as ritual and celebration.”

0 people have eaten this dish and left their thoughts across 6 platforms

8 in 10 mention deeply aromatic and rich first

6 in 10 say it's worth it for the rooted in multiple culinary traditions

5 in 10 would come back the same week

Synthesised from Google · Yelp · Reddit · 3 food blogs · Updated August 2026

The story the reviews tell

Nasi kebuli is an Indonesian pilaf where rice absorbs the richness of goat meat broth, goat milk, and ghee—each spoonful carrying the layered influence of Yemen, India, and Afghanistan through a distinctly Indonesian and Betawi lens. It's the dish that appears on tables during Eid celebrations across Greater Jakarta and beyond, marking moments of gathering and observance in Arab-Indonesian communities.

What makes this version distinct

Nasi kebuli (kabuli rice; Arabic: الرز الكابلى; Arabic pronunciation: [ka:buli:]) is an Indonesian variation of pilaf. It consists of rice cooked in goat meat broth, goat milk, and clarified butter (most often ghee). It is popular among the Arab community in Indonesia (most prominent in Arab-descent Betawi in Greater Jakarta). Nasi kebuli was influenced by Arab culture and its origin can be traced to Middle eastern cuisine, especially Yemeni Arabian influence (mandi rice or kabsa), Indian cuisine influence (biryani rice), and Afghan influence (kabuli palaw). In Betawi culture, nasi kebuli is usually served during Islamic religious festivities, such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha or Mawlid. Outside Jakarta, nasi kebuli is mainly popular in regions with significant population of Arab Indonesians, such as West Java, Banten, Surakarta, Surabaya, Gresik and Banyuwangi.

Signature elements

ghee-enriched ricegoat meat broth basefestive pilafArab-Betawi heritageslow-cooked grains

What people love

  • deeply aromatic and rich
  • rooted in multiple culinary traditions
  • ceremonial significance

Know before you go

    Same dish, different world

    Read the full story →

    One pot of rice, a whole celebration — Rice cooked with meat, spice, and pride — the dish every culture brings out when the whole family shows up.

    Biryani, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration🇮🇳

    Biryani

    This Indian dish layers raw marinated meat with parboiled rice, sealed and cooked in its own steam for a rich, celebratory meal.

    Paella, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration🇪🇸

    Paella

    A Spanish rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan, traditionally with rabbit, chicken, and beans.

    🇺🇿 Middle East & Central Asia

    Pilaf

    The ancestor of the family — grains toasted in fat, then steamed in stock. Biryani and paella both descend from it.

    Worth knowing abroad

    Jollof Rice, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration🇳🇬

    Jollof Rice

    Aromatic jasmine rice is cooked with a tomato base, fresh ginger, garlic, and spices, often with meat stock.

    Halal Biryani, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Halal Biryani

    A variant of Biryani adhering to halal dietary guidelines for meat sourcing.

    Paelya, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Paelya

    This Filipino dish is an adaptation of paella, a well-known celebratory rice preparation.

    GLP-1 Biryani Portion

    A portion-controlled biryani, a classic layered rice and meat dish.

    Pelau, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Pelau

    West Indian one-pot rice dish with meat, peas, and coconut milk.

    Lamb Pilaf (Plov), the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Lamb Pilaf (Plov)

    Rice cooked with lamb, stock, prunes, and saffron.

    Qidreh, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Qidreh

    A rice and lamb dish, often served at social gatherings, with chickpeas and whole garlic cloves, topped with toasted nuts.

    Nasi kuning, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Nasi kuning

    Indonesian turmeric-infused rice, often shaped into a cone and served during special occasions.

    Mandi (food), the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Mandi (food)

    Meat and spiced rice are cooked together, traditionally in a pit, to create a flavorful dish.

    Roast fennel and aubergine paella, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Roast fennel and aubergine paella

    A vegetarian paella with rice, saffron, and various roasted vegetables cooked in one pan.

    Turkish lamb pilau, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Turkish lamb pilau

    Rice cooked with lamb, spices, dried apricots, and pine nuts in a single pot.

    Nasi minyak, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Nasi minyak

    Rice cooked with ghee and spices, often served for special occasions.

    Bánh chưng, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Bánh chưng

    Vietnamese glutinous rice, mung bean, and pork cake, wrapped in leaves and boiled.

    Low-FODMAP Biryani, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Low-FODMAP Biryani

    A spiced rice dish adapted for dietary restrictions, maintaining the one-pot essence of biryani.

    Jain Biryani

    A Biryani variant prepared without onion, garlic, or root vegetables, adhering to Jain dietary principles.

    Syrian Rice with Meat, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Syrian Rice with Meat

    A Syrian rice dish cooked with ground beef, chicken stock, and pine nuts.

    Zongzi, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Zongzi

    Glutinous rice stuffed with fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves, then steamed or boiled.

    No htamin

    A Burmese festive rice dish cooked with milk, shallots, and butter.

    Spanish rice & prawn one-pot, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Spanish rice & prawn one-pot

    Rice cooked with prawns, chorizo, vegetables, and tomatoes in a single pot.

    kabse, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    kabse

    A spiced rice dish with chicken and vegetables, cooked together in one pot.

    Jamaican Instant Pot Rice and Beans, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Jamaican Instant Pot Rice and Beans

    A one-pot dish of rice and kidney beans cooked with coconut milk and aromatics.

    Arroz al horno (baked rice), the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Arroz al horno (baked rice)

    A baked rice dish from Spain, often containing pork, black pudding, and beans.

    Khichdi, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Khichdi

    A South Asian dish made from rice and lentils cooked together, with various regional adaptations.

    Jamaican Rice and Peas, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Jamaican Rice and Peas

    Rice cooked with kidney beans and coconut milk, a flavorful one-pot side or main dish.

    Banga rice, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Banga rice

    Rice cooked in palm fruit juice, a distinct one-pot preparation from Nigeria.

    Arroz con gambas y calamar, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Arroz con gambas y calamar

    A Spanish one-pot rice dish with prawns, squid, and saffron, similar to paella.

    Spanish seafood rice, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Spanish seafood rice

    A flavorful rice dish cooked with various seafood, peppers, and saffron.

    Kedgeree, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Kedgeree

    A British dish of rice cooked with smoked fish, boiled eggs, and spices.

    Seafood rice, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Seafood rice

    A Spanish one-pot rice dish featuring seafood, chorizo, and stock, similar to paella.

    Turkish rice (vermicelli rice), the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Turkish rice (vermicelli rice)

    A pilaf-style rice dish cooked with vermicelli pasta, butter, and chicken stock.

    Chicken & chorizo rice pot, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Chicken & chorizo rice pot

    A one-pot rice dish cooked with chicken, chorizo, and vegetables.

    Tried this dish? Show us.

    If you love this, you might love: