Local Breakfast in Kuala Terengganu- Nasi Dagang

tuna in gravy, nasi kuning, nasi minyak, pulut kuning
pickled cucumber , sambal belacan, chicken tomato, chicken gravy

As usual I spent my Chinese New Year holidays visiting my sister in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, a state situated on the North eastern of the Malaysia Peninsula, a coastal state along the South China Sea. In fact her abode is just a stone away from the beach along the Airport Road which boasted three residential schools along its way and two reputable Universities. Yes, Kuala Terengganu is in fact a scholar town on all counts as far as I am concern.

During my stay, my sister and her husband will reintroduce me to all the local delicacies without fail, starting  with our morning hunting for breakfast. One the first day, we had Nasi Dagang, Nasi Kuning, Nasi Minyak and Pulut Kuning bought from Kak Nor’s stall which is situated along the Gong Badak Road, few blocks from the new Petronas station. We devoured it in the comfort of my sister’s kitchen table. I had a good taste of the Nasi Kuning and Nasi Minyak together. The grains of rice were simply fluffy.

Nasi Kuning wt tuna pieces & pieces of pickled cucumber

The following day, we drove all the way to Chendering and stopped at a shop belonging to Alias Bin Mat Rosidi along Chendering Road, a few “door” from a mosque formerly known as “Masjid Raja” and now renamed after the Regent of Terengganu, “Masjid Tengku Ismail”.  It is supposed to be one of the best Nasi Dagang here, or so I was told. The Nasi Dagang was served on a plate layered by banana leaf for its aroma, I think. The Nasi Dagang came in small helping, with pieces of pickled cucumber and a small portion of tuna fish in gravy. The tuna fish here is known as ikan ayer (water fish?) or ikan kayu (wooden fish?). I think it is called "ikan kayu" since the texture and flesh of the fish is quite 'hardy' and 'dry' as a wood would be. We ordered an extra plate of the rice itself and some extra chicken. I am one who loves my rice with lots of protein and I just help myself to the hardboiled egg which was placed on the table. The tuna gravy is spicy and has sourish taste from  belimbing buluh (averrhoa bilimbi). The rice was tacky since it is a mixture of the glutinous rice and your regular fragrant rice, cooked by steaming it in between intervals to add in the coconut cream. It should be have the bouncy yet tacky effect and not crumbled together. Nasi Dagang is a signature dish of Terengganu; a distinctively Terengganu's cuisine.

Nasi Dagang and the tuna gravy

pieces of tuna and belimbing buluh

We also help ourselves to the famous keropok lekor, like fish sausages or fish sticks which is made from processed fish meat and sagoo flour. It is chewy and eaten as snack dipped in Terengganu home made chili's sauce.                                                           

keropok lekor on the side!

Oops, someone reminded me that this entry is without a Acepaizah's point. Let see, however the dice is toss, my all time Terengganu's breakfast favourite is Nasi Kerabu. and that is an entry for another day. Top scorer for the above is of course the numero uno is Nasi Dagang Alias Mat Rosidi, I shall award his Nasi Dagang an 8 on Acepaizah's scale.His tuna gravy was simply delicious and the belimbing buluh adds the mouth watering ummph upon one's first bite. Kak Nor's Nasi Kuning which was so enticing in form, texture and well balanced color garnered an 8 while her Nasi Minyak a 7. And the keropok lekor, well I've tasted better along the beach of Tok Jembal during my evening food hunting expedition!

eastern waves flavours
~Acepaizah~

full table wt Teh Tarik on the side

Nasi (Rice) Dagang (Trader's) = Trader's Rice
Nasi Kuning (Yellow) = Yellow Rice
Nasi Minyak (flavored ghee rice) 
ikan (fish)
ayer (water spelt the old way)
kayu (wood)