Nasi Katok (Bruneian Rice with Fried Chicken and Sambal)
In short: Steamed rice with crisp turmeric fried chicken and a hot shrimp paste sambal, traditionally wrapped in paper. Brunei's favorite cheap meal. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 630 kcal
Nasi katok is the cheap, filling meal that people in Brunei buy at any hour, sold in small paper parcels. The name means knocking rice, from customers who once knocked on vendors' doors late at night. It is plain rice with one piece of fried chicken and a spoonful of fiery sambal. The chicken is lightly spiced and crisp, and the sambal is what makes the meal.
Instructions
- Rub the chicken with the turmeric, coriander, salt and garlic. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Cook it with the water and salt, covered, for 15 minutes on low heat, then rest for 10 minutes.
- Blend or pound the chilies, shallots, garlic and shrimp paste into a coarse paste. Fry it in the oil over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until it darkens and the oil separates.
- Stir the sugar, tamarind and salt into the sambal and cook for 2 minutes. Taste: it should be hot, sweet and slightly sour. Let cool.
- Pat the chicken dry and toss it with the rice flour. Heat the oil to 170°C (340°F) in a deep pan.
- Fry the chicken in 2 batches for 12 to 15 minutes, turning, until deep golden. The thickest part should reach 74°C (165°F). Drain on a rack.
- Pack a scoop of rice into each plate or paper parcel, add a piece of chicken and a spoonful of sambal.
Tips
- Do not skip the toasting of the shrimp paste. It removes its harsh smell and deepens the flavor of the sambal.
- The sambal keeps for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Leave the shrimp paste out for a version without it, and add a pinch more salt.
Questions and answers
Why is it called nasi katok?
Katok means to knock. The name comes from customers who knocked on vendors' doors to buy food after hours.
How spicy is nasi katok?
Quite spicy, but you control the heat. Use fewer chilies or remove the seeds for a milder sambal.
Can I bake the chicken instead?
Yes. Bake at 220°C (425°F) for 35 to 40 minutes, turning once and brushing with oil. It will be less crisp than fried.
How long does it take to make Nasi Katok (Bruneian Rice with Fried Chicken and Sambal)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Nasi Katok (Bruneian Rice with Fried Chicken and Sambal)?
About 630 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 66 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 630 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 66 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1350 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
