Hari Raya is just around the corner! We bet you’re coming up with a list of houses to visit. It’s a great time to go out and about, celebrating and creating memories with one of the highlights of Hari Raya: the food! In this article, we’ll be sharing the 7 traditional Hari Raya dishes to try during the festive season. If you’re reading this before Hari Raya, get those creative juices flowing and try to make your own dish!
7 Traditional Hari Raya Dishes:
1. Rendang
It goes without saying that in Malaysia, rendang is synonymous to Hari Raya. Rendang is a traditional Malay dish made of coconut milk, spices, galangal, lemongrass, shallots, ginger, and kerisik (toasted grated coconut). Meats such as beef, chicken, or mutton can be used to make rendang. Long hours of cooking ensure all the ingredients intertwine and create the perfect symphony in your mouth.
In many houses, the cooking starts after the last iftar (breaking of the fast) of Ramadhan. The best way to know when your rendang is ready is when the meat starts falling off the bone. You’ll be in for a tasty treat!
2. Lemang
Being the perfect partner with the rendang, this dish is mandatory in most Malaysian households during Eid. It consists of a bamboo lined with banana leaf, holding a mix of glutinous rice and coconut milk. The filled bamboo tube is placed slightly slanted on a low open flame with its opening facing upwards. This roasting process can take up to 5 hours!
Very few people make their lemang at home because it’s such a long process to go through! However, that’s what gives the lemang its character. The open flame method used to cook the lemang is what gives this meal it’s distinct smoky taste. Fragrant, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, we can’t find a better Hari Raya dish.
3. Ketupat
The hallmark of Eid in Malaysia lies in the expertly woven dumplings that have rice packed inside diamond-shaped palm leaf pouches. The art behind the weaving process is passed down over the generations.
That being said, if you’ve missed the boat on the weaving process, you can always get Nasi Impit. We’re not suggesting that they’re interchangeable, we think that they make a good substitute if you’re running out of time.
Best paired with either rendang or lontong- you’ll love these packed cakes of rice!
4. Lontong
This coconut-based gravy is a nice meal to have in between all the servings of meat. Dig into a creamy concoction of cabbage, glass noodles, tempeh, tofu, and boiled eggs. This dish is made better by using fresh turmeric. If the scent of this dish doesn’t make your mouth waters instantly, wait until you see it!
In a few states, you’ll be served some spicy sambal to have with your lontong. So smash your nasi impit, mix it with the lontong and enjoy!
5. Dodol
A must-have during Eid, this sticky delight is the highlight of every Hari Raya. If you live in the rural area, you’ll be privileged to see the arduous process of making dodol.
Cooked over an open flame for a minimum of six hours, the combination of coconut milk, palm sugar, and pandan will turn into a toffee-like texture. This dish is something truly wonderful to have during Hari Raya. Get those sticky parts stucked at the back of your teeth and the roof of your mouth!
During durian seasons, you might even get to taste dodol durian, the epitome of Malaysian cuisine.
6. Bubur Pulut Hitam
Another Eid treat is the black glutinous rice porridge that is cooked with santan, pandan leaves and clear sago. Pair the porridge with a hot cup of Teh Tarik during tea time. This dish is best eaten in the morning for a fulfilling breakfast!
7. Pineapple Tarts
By far, the mandatory biscuits in your raya spread has to be the jam tarts. If you’re an avid baker, you’ll know the hours it takes to bake the perfect tarts! We love to have the jam tucked into the middle of a dough flower. These tarts make cute and tasty snacks!
We hope these 7 traditional Hari Raya dishes have inspired you to cook at home. On a side note, you can always get these dishes delivered to you by ordering via the foodpanda app. No cooking required! Looking for more dessert recipes? Check out the recipe of custard buns!