Apr
30
2012

Lemang Kijal

What is lemang?

Lemang is a traditional malay food that is made of glutinous rice and cooked in hallowed bamboo stick lined with banana leaves in order to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo. Lemang is usually eaten with rendang or serunding.

Usually prepared for festivities such as the Muslim Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha, we found lemang in abundance EVERYDAY here in Terengganu during our trip to Awana Kijal, Golf, Beach & Spa Resort. Lemang is available in almost all district but the most popular lemang stalls are in Kijal, Kemaman.

Lemang pit stop is part of our Kampung Tour. The bus driver stopped us here:

Gerai Lemang Warisan Adik Beradik Kijal

Lots of hollowed bamboo sticks awaiting to be filled with glutinous rice and coconut milk, with salt added for taste.

How are lemang made?

First, glutinous rice are washed and the water tossed. Banana leaf is rolled and inserted into the hollowed bamboo. Glutinous rice is filled into the bamboo, making sure not to fill up too full. Put some salt into the coconut milk and pour it into the bamboo.

The bamboos are then placed slightly slanted with the opening facing upwards near a small fire. The bamboos are turned constantly to make sure they cook evenly. It usually takes around 4 hours to cook.

Kak Ngah making sure her lemang are not burnt.

I really salute her for being able to withstand the heat! I was there barely 5 minutes before I break out in sweats!

Kak Ngah cut some lemang for us to try. It was our very first time eating freshly cut lemang and I must say that it is really fragrant and soft! Taken with serunding, this is heavenly! Some of the tour members bought some to bring back home. I did not as I was not sure if it could last a couple of days before I can deliver it to the beloved people back home…

Looking at the queue, I kinda regret not buying some home…

Tags: Awana Kijal Golf, Terengganu, traditional food

About the Author: Merryn Tan

13 Comments + Add Comment

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suituapui April 30, 2012 at 5:25 am

I prefer pulut panggang (wrapped in banana leaves) but my mum prefers lemang – more fragrant, she says. Very expensive here! RM4 for just a small slice, 1 inch thick.

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Cynthia April 30, 2012 at 9:03 am

gua punya favourite la… go with rendang chicken the best! Can’t wait for puasa month to come.. hehehe..

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Mummy Gwen April 30, 2012 at 10:03 am

Don’t really remember if I have tasted lemang before..haha. But Hubs said eat with rendang very shiok.

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Nikel April 30, 2012 at 10:10 am

Still prefer old-school “fired” lemang

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claire April 30, 2012 at 1:17 pm

Yes, eat while it is fresh..otherwise very fast turn hard one.. unless steam it back to make it soften..

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Alice Law April 30, 2012 at 5:52 pm

Yeah… shld hv ask those queuing ppl to help to at least grab some, looks good!

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Kristie April 30, 2012 at 7:03 pm

yummy, I love lemang with rendang…. yumz

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Simple Person April 30, 2012 at 11:26 pm

the only time that i eat is during my friend raya lunch……
every year his mum make the lemang + curry chicken….

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vickylow May 2, 2012 at 10:05 am

I like lemang serve with nice creamy coconut milk curry, slurp…

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Choi Yen May 2, 2012 at 10:20 am

Lemang is not expensive but the curry accompanied quite pricey lor.. >.<

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sheohyan May 2, 2012 at 12:15 pm

I was always tempted to buy when I saw this selling at the road side, especially during days before Raya. It is so good to eat with Rendang.

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hildamilda May 15, 2012 at 1:49 pm

I love lemang, best to have it with satay gravy YUMS!!

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Home is where MY heart is.
I am a mother to two boys; Ethan and Ayden and a wife to Darling William. I'm a stay at home mum who blogs to break the monotony of life and to avoid feeling jaded. Would love to get to know all the Super Mommies and Daddies and Babies or Singles out there with the hope that we can learn more from each other. Most of all, I am a happy person, and I hope YOU are too.