30 Types of Nasi Goreng in Malaysia You Must Try

Nasi Goreng in Malaysia is a popular quick, and inexpensive meal with a distinctive flavor and appearance.

Cooked with rice, egg, meat, seafood, or anchovies with different ways to prepare fried rice in the country, you’ll find many different versions to try.

Every Asian country has its version, but Malaysia has more fried rice variations than you can think possible.

The original Nasi Goreng is an Indonesian stir-fried rice dish.

Nasi Goreng is a terrific Malaysian side dish option.

You can order this to replace white rice for a little something different that packs a bit of a flavor punch!

The versatile one-plate meal is a hot meal you will enjoy for lunch, dinner, or supper.

You will find the different styles and types of Nasi Goreng — from spicy to tomato-based, Thai, fusion, and even named “Nasi Goreng U.S.A.” — to try.

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Origins of Fried Rice or Nasi Goreng in Malaysia

We believe fried Rice originated from Yangzhou, China, where it was first introduced during the Sui Dynasty.

In Chinese culture, fried rice is what you make when you have leftover cooked rice or day-old rice from last night’s dinner.

The original Yangzhou fried rice used cold leftover rice cooked at least a day in advance.

Today, you can order a Yangzhou Fried Rice in Chinese restaurants.

The Yangzhou Fried Rice contains straightforward ingredients in the Chinese kitchen – green peas, Chinese waxed sausages, shrimps, and an egg with chicken stock and light soy sauce.

The results are a steaming plate of white rice made fragrant by the addition of the ingredients.

This simple fried rice dish has been adopted by other cultures in Malaysia and cooked in many ways.

You can order Nasi Goreng Yangzhou in any Chinese restaurant in Malaysia.

Is Nasi Goreng unhealthy?

A typical Nasi Goreng has most of its calories from fats and carbs, so it has a high potential for poor weight management.

Nasi Goreng in Malaysia is a wholesome dish.

Although Fried Rice can be easily prepared at home, it is a popular order at hawker stalls, coffee shops, and restaurants.

Whenever I have foreign friends in town, I would take them to local restaurants and order one or two different fried rice meals.

One of the most versatile dishes, Nasi Goreng, can be eaten as a meal on its own as part of a Malaysian buffet.

What is the difference between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice?

Nasi Goreng’s literal translation is “Fried Rice” in Malaysia.

The thing that distinguishes it from other Fried Rice dishes is the sauce used in the cooking.

In Indonesia, they make their Nasi Goreng with Kicap Manis, a sweet soy sauce that stains the rice dark brown and caramelizes the rice when it cooks.

You can check out Jamie Oliver’s version of Fried Rice here.

What is Nasi Goreng?

The literal translation of Nasi Goreng is “fried rice” in Malaysian,

Nasi Goreng is a carb-laden meal, mainly white rice with just a little bit of meat and a little bit of onion for the vegetables.

How to serve Nasi Goreng?

Nasi Goreng is traditionally served with a sunny-side-up egg and a side of fresh raw cucumber and tomato to make it a complete meal.

Both these side options are atypical in Malaysia to add protein and vegetables.

Nasi Goreng is also a terrific Malaysian side dish option.

You will want to try this in place of plain white rice.

How many carbs are in Nasi Goreng?

According to myfitnesspal, the Malaysian Nasi Goreng has a whopping 638 calories per 330g serve.

What is good rice for fried rice?

Cooked fragrant Jasmine rice produces fluffy, sturdy grains that don’t clump or fall apart when fried.

Short grain rice like sushi rice or glutinous rice is softer and tends to stick together – this type of rice cant be used for Nasi Goreng.

Types of Nasi Goreng in Malaysia

Most of the menu in Malay warungs is in Malay without English translation or illustrations.

So, if you’re traveling to Malaysia for the first time, this will help you decide what to order.

Here are the most common types of fried rice in Malaysia, with photos. I will add on more types as I try the dish when I travel around Malaysia.

You will be able to impress your Malaysian friends and the restaurant staff with your outstanding knowledge of Malaysian English and Malay when you place an order for the Best Nasi Goreng.

Let’s dive in with and try the Nasi Goreng varieties.

Chinese Style Nasi Goreng in Malaysia

Nasi Goreng Cina or Chinese Fried Rice is a Chinese-style fried rice recipe and one of the popular that every Malaysian Chinese family will make at home!

The more luxurious versions with premium ingredients like large prawns, Chinese sausages are on the menu of Chinese restaurants.

Let’s try this type of Nasi Goreng.

1. Nasi Goreng Biasa (Normal Fried Rice)

Stir Fry Nasi Goreng Biasa is the purest rice fried with some soy sauce to add brown color and flavor.

While most types of nasi goreng are considered lux with the addition of ingredients, this plain fried rice is just overnight cold rice fried to heat up for breakfast.

It doesn’t include any eggs. Just rice, oil, garlic, and soya sauce!

The simplest and most fundamental – Nasi Goreng in Malaysia – Plain Fried Rice.

2. Nasi Goreng Cina (Yong Chow or Yangzhou Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng Cina cooked with scrambled eggs, frozen mixed veggies (green peas, diced carrot, and sweet corn) is the least spicy version without any sauce other than a sesame oil dash.

Yangzhou fried rice is a popular Chinese-style wok-fried rice dish in many Chinese restaurants throughout the world.

It is commonly sold in the UK as special fried rice and in the US as house special fried rice.

USDA has the nutrient data and ingredient information for Chinese Restaurants without meat.

If you’re averse to spicy food, this should be your safest choice.

You can order this for children.

Those craving some flavor may request chili and soy sauce served on the side.

Nasi Goreng Cina (Yong Chow Fried Rice)

3. Nasi Goreng Ladna

Nasi Goreng Ladna is fried rice served with a side of seafood and vegetables (usually cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, and tomato).

The stir fry style gooey brown gravy is made of garlic, oyster sauce, and thickened with cornstarch.

Sometimes it is also poured on top of the rice.

The Chinese version is called Lam Pui (Fried Gravy Rice) or Chinese Style White Rice With Nutritious Gravy – Mui Fan, aka Lam Fan (Cantonese).

If you like to eat your rice wet or swimming in gravy, you will enjoy this in a minute.

Nasi Goreng Ladna Image: restoran-al-kausar

Mamak Style Nasi Goreng in Malaysia

Mamak Fried Rice is one of Malaysian’s favorite version that is moist, spicy full of curry flavors.

You can load up with additional fried eggs, fried chicken, and crackers!

4. Nasi Goreng Mamak (Mamak Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng Mamak almost always tastes curry.

A spicy version contains tofu, fish cakes, and most importantly, Maggi instant-noodle curry powder, chili paste, and sometimes topped with a fried egg.

Nasi Goreng Mamak (Mamak Fried Rice)

Malay Style Nasi Goreng in Malaysia

One recent twist is the Malay version of Nasi Lemak Goreng made with fried coconut milk-infused rice.

The Nasi Lemak Goreng is made with a spicy sambal sauce, served with Fried Chicken, and topped with Cucumbers and soft boil egg – it certainly makes for an exciting experience.

Some of the best Malaysian fried rice are found at the nearby warungs!

5. Nasi Goreng Kampung (Village Style Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng Kampung is cooked with soy sauce, bird’s eye chili (very tiny but spicy), Kangkong (Water spinach), blended shrimp paste, and anchovies a dash of spiciness from chilies.

Unlike other types of nasi goreng, this one does not contain eggs.

Nasi Goreng Kampung (Village Style Fried Rice) Image: IG kualihelena

6. Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin (Salted Fish Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin is fried with pungent Salted Fish.

Malaysians affinity for strong-smelling food and love ingredients like Belacan, Prawn Paste, Budu, and our national fruit — the infamous durian.

Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin (Salted Fish Fried Rice)

7. Nasi Goreng U.S.A.

Nasi Goreng U.S.A. doesn’t have any American influence.

The U.S.A. originally meant for ‘Udang’ (Prawn), ‘Sotong’ (Squid), and ‘Ayam’ (Chicken).

For some reason, this dish has evolved into something different from its name.

Now, if you order Nasi Goreng U.S.A., you will have a choice of two types of meat: beef or chicken.

The fried rice will be cooked in red sauce, very spicy Beef Gravy served with a sunny-side-up fried egg and spring onions.

Nasi Goreng U.S.A. Image: Khairil Bariah‎

8. Nasi Goreng Pattaya

Nasi goreng Pattaya is plain fried rice wrapped in a thin omelet drizzled with chili sauce and is not a Thai dish.

Thai Style Nasi Goreng in Malaysia

The Thai influence has a significant impact on Malaysian food.

These influences extend from the combinations of spices used in the Nasi Goreng.

9. Nasi Goreng Paprik (Padprik Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng Paprik originates from Thailand. The word ‘paprik’ combines two Thai words: ‘pad’ (fried) and ‘price (chili).

Nasi Goreng Paprik is served with a side of vegetables and chicken, cooked in sauteed chili paste and fish sauce.

10. Nasi Goreng Tom Yam (Tom Yam Fried Rice) Thai Influence

Nasi Goreng Tom Yam is fried with Thai Tom Yam paste, lemongrass, fish sauce, and lime to give it that distinct Thai flavor.

Nasi Goreng Tom Yam contains seafood.

Nasi Goreng Tom Yam.

11. Nasi Goreng Nanas (Pineapple Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng Nanas has the lovely flavor of pineapple, with a slight curry flavor.

The tangy and sweet pineapple with the spices added gives a refreshing twist to an ordinary fried rice dish.

Most Thai restaurants in Malaysia serve this Thai-style fried rice in a pineapple bowl.

Unique Fried Rice

12. Nasi Lemak Goreng (Nasi Lemak Fried Rice)

Instead of plain white rice, fragrant Nasi Lemak is fried with Sambal Belacan (shrimp paste), Anchovies, julienned Cabbage, and topped with a sunny-side-up egg.

13. Nasi Goreng Petai (Petai Fried Rice)

Petai is a long, flat edible bean with bright green seeds the size and shape of plump almonds with a rather peculiar smell – some people find it “stinky.”

Petai lovers in Malaysia can’t get enough of the taste and will enjoy this bean in their diet.

The Petai beans are rich in fiber, iron, potassium, and tryptophan — an amino acid that may help boost mood and sleep.

Other purported health benefits include lowering blood pressure and blood sugar and alleviating constipation.

So it is not unusual that Malaysians add this as an ingredient to their favorite fried rice dish.

Chinese Style Fried Rice

14. Nasi Goreng Belacan (Belacan Fried Rice)

The flavor in this easy Malaysian fried rice dish comes from two ingredients – Dried Shrimp and Belacan (Shrimp Block).

15. Nasi Goreng Sambal Tumis (Sambal Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng Sambal Tumis’ chief ingredients are the Sambal Paste, Belacan, and pounded Red Chillies, Shallots, Garlic with Frozen Veggies, Mackerel, and Eggs.

Nasi Goreng Sambal Tumis is best paired with fish, specifically oily fish like Mackerel.

16. Nasi Goreng Nyonya (Nyonya Fried Rice)

Easy Nasi Goreng Nyonya is a favorite of the Peranakan household.

It contains prawns, dried prawns (rehydrated and pounded), shallots, Sambal Belachan (shrimp paste), Eggs, and shallots.

There are very few places that sell this dish, and it is something the Baba Nyonya makes at home as comfort food.

Instead of a fried egg, you will get scrambled eggs infused in the fried rice.

Nasi Goreng Nyonya is a favorite of the Peranakan household.

Nasi Goreng in Malaysia in Alphabetical order includes:

1. Nasi Goreng Ayam – Fried Rice served with crispy fried chicken with sweet chili sauce
2. Nasi Goreng Biasa (Normal Fried Rice) – Basic Fried Rice without Meat, Eggs or Vegetables
3. Nasi Goreng Belacan (Belacan Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Chicken or beef in black pepper sauce)
4. Nasi Goreng Cendawan (Mushroom Fried Rice) – Fried Rice cooked with mushrooms
5. Nasi Goreng Cili Api/Masak Pedas – spicy Fried Rice served with Chicken/beef
6. Nasi Goreng Cina (Yong Chow Fried Rice) – commonly sold in the UK and the US
7. Nasi Goreng Dubai – a Sarawak specialty Fried Rice with a seasonal native fruit called ‘buah dabai.’
8. Nasi Goreng Daging/Kambing – Fried Rice with beef or mutton
9. Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin (Salted Fish Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Salted Fish
10. Nasi Goreng Kampung (Village Style Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Anchovies/leftover fried fish, Kangkong (Morning Glory or Chinese convolvulus)
11. Nasi Goreng Kerabu – Fried Rice with local salads
12. Nasi Goreng Kunyit (Turmeric Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with turmeric and meat with onions, long beans, and carrots)
13. Nasi Goreng Kari (Curry Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with curry gravy
14. Nasi Goreng Ladna – Fried Rice with Seafood and Vegetables in white gravy
15. Nasi Goreng Masak Merah – Fried Rice with Chicken or beef in Red chili gravy
16. Nasi Goreng Mamak (Mamak Fried Rice) – Indian Muslim style Nasi Goreng
17. Nasi Goreng Nanas (Pineapple Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Pineapples bits
18. Nasi Goreng Nyonya (Nyonya Fried Rice)
19. Nasi Goreng Paprik (Padprik Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with a Paprik dish, usually Chicken
20. Nasi Goreng Pattaya (Pattaya Fried Rice) – Fried Rice in an Omelette envelope, sometimes includes Chicken
21. Nasi Goreng Petai (Petai Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with a stinky bean Parkia speciosa
22. Nasi Goreng Sambal Tumis (Sambal Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Malaysian Sambal
23. Nasi Goreng Seafood (Seafood Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Prawn, Calamari slices, and Crabsticks
24. Nasi Goreng Sotong (Squid Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Squid or Calamari
25. Nasi Goreng Telur (Egg Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Fried Eggs
26. Nasi Goreng Tom Yam (Tom Yam Fried Rice) – Thai Influence Fried Rice cooked in Tom yam paste
27. Nasi Goreng Udang (Prawns Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Prawn which unshelled Prawns
28. Nasi Goreng U.S.A. – Fried Rice with three ingredients Udang (Prawn), Sotong (Squid), and Ayam (Chicken)
29. Nasi Goreng Amerika (American Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Sausage and a Fried Egg
30. Nasi Lemak Goreng (Nasi Lemak Fried Rice) – Fried Rice with Nasi Lemak, Spicy Sambal Sauce served with Soft Boiled Egg and Fried Chicken

Now that you are an expert on Nasi Goreng in Malaysia, go ahead and order yourself one.

But where can you find them?

Just go to any Malay restaurant.

Some Mamak restaurants also serve Malay food.

The best Nasi Goreng dishes are usually only available in the evening though – from 6 pm onwards.

If you want to make fried rice remember to start with a low fire using medium heat – leave the open flames shooting up from the pans to restaurant chefs!

Good luck!

Types of fried rice in Malaysia you can make at home. 

Let me know your favorite Nasi Goreng in Malaysia or which recipe you want to try cooking at home.

I’ll link you to some perfect Nasi Goreng recipes!