Nasi kuning

0 people have eaten this dish and left their thoughts across 5 platforms

Synthesised from Google · TripAdvisor · Reddit · Yelp · 1 food blog · Updated August 2026

The story the reviews tell

Nasi kuning is an Indonesian rice dish where turmeric and coconut milk transform plain grains into something golden and fragrant. The color isn't decoration—it signals good fortune, which is why this rice appears at weddings, birthdays, and independence day celebrations across Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. Yet despite its ceremonial weight, it's also everyday breakfast, humble enough for any morning table.

What makes this version distinct

Nasi kuning (literally, "yellow rice"; Indonesian pronunciation: [ˌnasi ˈkunɪŋ]), sometimes called nasi kunyit (literally, "turmeric rice"; Indonesian pronunciation: [ˌnasi ˈkuɲɪt̪̚]), is an Indonesian fragrant rice dish cooked with coconut milk and turmeric, hence the name nasi kuning (yellow rice). Nasi kuning also can be found in neighbouring Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and Cocos Island, Australia. Because of its perceived favourable fortune and auspicious meaning, nasi kuning is often served as a special dish for celebrations; e.g. community rituals, ceremonies, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and also the independence day celebration. Nevertheless, it is also a favourite dish for breakfast in Indonesia. In the Philippines, a related dish exists in Mindanao, particularly among the Maranao people, where it is known as kuning. Like the Indonesian version, it primarily uses turmeric, but also adds lemongrass and does not use coconut milk. A similar dish is also found in Sri Lankan

Signature elements