Nasi Lemak has been named 1 of the 10 healthiest breakfasts in the world. But why in the world?

Last Updated on 2016-05-20 , 9:34 am

The news that nasi lemak is part of a top 10 list of the healthiest breakfasts has been breaking the Internet lately. This is a meal which I wouldn’t mind having at any time of the day, and I love it for dozens of reasons.

I wonder what made Times’ journalist Mike Dunphy drop the lines on this Singaporean favorite. Then it hit me. What’s not to like about the dish? And it is, essentially, perfection in a breakfast.

Let me break it down for you.

The Heady Sambal
Everyone loves a good sambal. It wings on the perfect balance of cooked dried chili, salt, sugar and tamarind juice. There are some versions of sambal that include cockles, anchovies and even quail eggs. The sambal by itself is good for you, as the heat in the chili revs up your metabolic rate.

The Coconut Rice
The rice is cooked with coconut milk, bruised pieces of ginger, galangal, pandan leaves and lemongrass. You’d be getting a bite of deliciously creamy rice that’s been infused with ginger that aids your digestive system. The scent of the rice itself is enough to draw you in for a bite.

The Glorious Egg
Nasi lemak is served with a hard boiled or fried egg. You’d be getting protein, selenium, vitamins B2, B6, and a handful of minerals.

Cool as a Cucumber
Cucumbers keep you hydrated. It also flushes out toxins from your body and refreshes your eyes.

Crunchy, Crunchy Peanuts
The peanuts are roasted or fried until they’re nice and brown. As they cool, they retain a crunch that is like the icing on your plate of nasi lemak. While you’re busy munching, you’d also be giving your body a healthy dose of niacin, folate, protein and vitamin E.

Crispy Kickass Anchovies
The heaped tablespoon of anchovies you have on your plate is rich in iron and Omega-3 fatty acids. You’d be strengthening your bones and even your heart.

The Otah
Otah is cooked by grilling fish meat that’s been mixed with spices and wrapped in banana leaves. The mackerel flesh is known of fighting off dementia, prostate cancer and vision loss. You’d also be getting selenium, vitamin D, a handful of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids in the process.

Now that you know why it’s good for you, plan out a meet up with your friends tomorrow and gobble up a plateful of goodness for breakfast or supper. Nasi Lemak rules the world. Yes, it’s finally official. So dig in!

Top Image: Dolly MJ / Shutterstock.com