Maya Sari
I have tried many pork dishes. But one of my favorites is Pork Nasi Goreng.
This recipe holds a special place in my heart since my mother insisted, I try this dish for the first time. And whoa, it was so delicious!
I can never forget the first time I tasted it.
We went to Bali last year on an all-girls trip. Besides basking in the sun, the one thing we did the most was stuffing our mouths with Indonesian food.
That trip made me obsessed with this dish.
I dug into different resources and talked to locals to extract the original recipe to replicate the taste. Today, I will share the authentic Pork Nasi Goreng with you.
Here are tips, how to cook Nasi Goreng. Let’s get ready!
Also, check out these delicious recipes:
Secret Ingredient to Perfect Pork Nasi Goreng
One-day-old rice is the secret ingredient that actually enhances the dish. The dish is complete with it.
The reason is that freshly cooked rice sticks together while using soy sauce to stir them. While old-day rice is harder, giving a nice, caramelized texture.
If you don’t get the time to prepare the rice one day before, don’t worry. I will share a tip with you.
You can cook the rice the same day and spread it on the tray. Keep them in the freezer to dry them out for 1-2 hours.
But if you think the rice still has a wet texture, keep it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours. Drying out the surface of rice is important because it helps build the dish’s authentic taste.
Check out my Indonesian beef stew recipe.
Add Shrimp Paste (Optional)
Like any other traditional dish, Nasi Goreng also has various optional ingredients.
They undoubtedly enhance the taste, but the dish is complete without them as well. One of those optional ingredients is dried shrimp.
Don’t worry. You don’t have actually to dry shrimp for days. They are easily available in any supermarket, Asian stores or online. You may like the dish without dry shrimp. But as I promised to bring authentic flavors, I suggest using them at least once.
The Time Needed for Preparation
The dish falls into the category of main course. So, be a little patient while cooking it.
You need approximately 10 minutes to prep. While cooking, the dish takes almost 20 minutes.
So, you require about 30 minutes to bring this dish to your dining table. Typically, it serves 3-4 people. But you can add the quantity of ingredients to prepare it for more people.
History of Nasi Goreng
The dish is not just a culinary experiment but has a flavourful history. ‘Nasi Goreng’ means ‘fried rice’.
You are wrong if you think it is one of the typical fried rices you’ve tasted before.
The element that elevates it is Indonesian soy sauce. A sweet soy sauce is added to the rice, giving it a dark brown stain and caramelising it while cooking.
The dish has roots from the vibrant street stalls of South Asia. Celebrating the South Asian tradition, it is a piece of art created by local chefs. At first, it was prepared to repurpose the leftover rice to convert it into a healthy meal.
As time passed, chefs introduced various forms of meats to it to add protein portions. Succulent pork with Nasi Goreng became popular because of its amazing flavour and high nutritional value.
Conclusion
And there it is—a dish of Pork Nasi Goreng that serves as both a meal and a window into the diverse cuisine of Indonesia.
Remember the many decades of history and culture that have gone into creating this amazing cuisine as you savour each bite.
Pork Nasi Goreng will win your heart, just as it did mine, whether you’re new to these flavours or have tried multiple Indonesian dishes.
So, grab your ingredients, heat up your wok, and enjoy a delicious dish. Happy eating and cooking!
How to Cook Pork Nasi Goreng?
Ingredients
- 1 large bowl of steamed rice
- 200 grammes of sliced pork
- 2/3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 minced small shallot
- 1 tsp Chilli paste
- Paprika and carrot sliced, or (or you can use any veggies you like)
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp salt, more if desired
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp kecap manis
- 1 tomato sliced for a garnish
Marinated Pork
- 1 tsp soy souce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp scratch flour
Instructions
- 2 tbsp of vegetable oil should be heated in a wok or skillet. Cook the marinated pork well and set aside.
- Add 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in the same pan and lower the heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and cook for about two minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the carrot and paprika slices and cook for 0.5 minutes. Stir thoroughly after adding the meat and the steaming rice.
- After adding the salt, sugar, kecap manis, and chilli paste, stir for a few minutes. After adjusting the flavour, switch off the burner.
- You are ready to serve now. Garnishes include chopped tomatoes, prawn crackers { or any crackers } and a fried egg on top.
- Have a nice supper!
