Authentic Lontong Recipe – Creamy Vegetable Curry with Compressed Rice Cakes

Lontong is a beloved Malay comfort food often enjoyed for breakfast, especially during Hari Raya or family gatherings. This dish features nasi impit (compressed rice cakes) served in a rich and creamy coconut curry packed with vegetables and tofu. It’s hearty, mildly spiced, and full of flavor — perfect for those who love authentic Malay dishes with a healthy twist.

A traditional Malaysian Lontong dish featuring creamy coconut vegetable curry served with nasi impit (compressed rice cakes), perfect for festive Hari Raya celebrations.

🧄 Ingredients:

For the Coconut Curry:

  • 1 tbsp cooking oil

  • 1 onion (sliced)

  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)

  • 1 cm fresh turmeric or 1 tsp turmeric powder

  • 2 stalks lemongrass (bruised)

  • 1 medium carrot (sliced)

  • 1 cup cabbage (roughly chopped)

  • 1 cup long beans (cut into 2-inch pieces)

  • 1 firm tofu block (cubed and fried)

  • 200ml coconut milk

  • 300ml water

  • Salt and sugar to taste

For the Nasi Impit (Compressed Rice Cakes):

  • 1 cup rice

  • 3 cups water

  • OR use ready-made packed nasi impit (available in stores)

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

  1. Prepare Nasi Impit:
    Cook the rice with water until soft and sticky. Transfer to a container, compress tightly, and let it cool. Once firm, cut into cubes. You may also use pre-packed nasi impit for convenience.

  2. Make the Curry Base:
    Heat oil in a pot. Sauté onion, garlic, turmeric, and lemongrass until fragrant.

  3. Add Vegetables:
    Stir in carrots, cabbage, and long beans. Add water and let the vegetables simmer until halfway cooked (about 5 minutes).

  4. Add Coconut Milk:
    Pour in coconut milk, stir gently, and bring to a simmer. Add tofu cubes, then season with salt and sugar. Simmer on low heat for another 5 minutes until the curry is creamy and vegetables are soft.

  5. Serve:
    Ladle the hot curry over nasi impit cubes and enjoy your Lontong while warm. Best served with sambal on the side for extra spice!



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