Lemang facts for kids
Lemang being cooked in hollow bamboo pieces
|
|
| Alternative names | Lamang |
|---|---|
| Type | Rice dish |
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | West Sumatra |
| Associated national cuisine | Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei |
| Main ingredients | Glutinous rice, coconut milk |
| Similar dishes | Sticky rice in bamboo, Daetong-bap |
Lemang (also called lamang in Minangkabau) is a special traditional food. It comes from the Minangkabau people in Indonesia. This yummy dish is made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and a little salt.
The cool part is how it's cooked! Lemang is prepared inside hollow bamboo tubes. These tubes are lined with banana leaves to stop the rice from sticking. You can find lemang not just in Indonesia, but also in Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. Many similar sticky rice dishes are popular across Southeast Asia.
Lemang is often eaten during important Muslim holidays. It marks the end of daily fasting for celebrations like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
What is Lemang?
Lemang is a very old and popular food in many parts of Southeast Asia. In Minangkabau culture, lamang is a traditional food. It is used in many special ceremonies, especially in West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Some stories say that a person named Sheikh Burhanuddin first taught the Minangkabau people how to cook lemang. But lemang is also a traditional food for other groups in Southeast Asia. The way it's cooked is very old, using natural materials like bamboo tubes.
Lemang was even mentioned in an early Indonesian literature book! In 1922, a novel called Siti Nurbaya by Marah Rusli talked about lemang. In the story, a character accidentally eats lemang that has been poisoned.
How to Cook Lemang
Cooking lemang is a unique process that takes several hours.
First, glutinous rice, salt, and coconut milk are mixed together. This mixture is then put inside hollow bamboo tubes. The inside of the bamboo is usually lined with banana leaves.
The bamboo tubes are placed in a slanted position next to a small fire. The open end of the bamboo faces upwards. It's important to turn the bamboo tubes regularly. This makes sure the rice inside cooks evenly. The whole cooking process takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Once cooked, lemang is often served with other delicious dishes. These can include rendang (a spicy meat dish) or serundeng (fried coconut flakes).
Lemang Traditions and Culture
In Indonesia, lemang is strongly connected to the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra. However, cooking rice in bamboo tubes is common across the region. You can find similar dishes among the Brunei, Minahasa, Dayak, and Orang Asli tribes. For example, the Minahasa people have a dish called Nasi Jaha, which is cooked the same way.
In Minangkabau tradition, making lemang is called Malamang. Lemang is often eaten with tapai (a sweet fermented food). Minang people even compare lemang and tapai to a man and a woman, showing how well they go together.
Making lemang often involves many people working together. This shows the togetherness of the Minang community. Lemang is also given as a gift when visiting others, like when visiting in-laws. It's a symbol of hospitality and community spirit.
The Iban people also make lemang for special celebrations. For example, they prepare it for the harvest festival of Hari Gawai. Lemang is usually enjoyed with meat dishes like chicken curry. The cooking method used for many different meats in bamboo is known as pansoh or pansuh by indigenous Dayak communities.
Gallery
-
Cutting the hollowed bamboo to retrieve the lemang inside
-
A piece of lemang
-
Serving lemang slices
See also
In Spanish: Lemang para niños
