Selangor – Home to Gastronomical Delights
Being the gateway and the centre of Malaysia, Selangor has an overwhelming number of food choices from all the 14 states of the country. Often being overlooked is Selangor’s own gastronomical delights that have been carried down from centuries, and its tradition still remains as is. Due to Selangor’s history of former migration back in the early years, most of its settlers were from different background and country, that had resulted in Selangor to become culturally diverse. Hence, making the food rich in flavours. Now, presenting to you the best of Selangor dishes, we highlight here the traditional flavours for you to try cooking at home.
1) Pecal
Pecal is a common appetiser that can be found just about anywhere in Selangor. Known to be a traditional Javanese salad that merely consists of vegetables topped with mouth-watering peanut sauce that can also be served with Ketupat or Lontong.
Preparing Pecal is extremely simple, so you can easily try it at home anytime. The key ingredients for this dish are peanuts or groundnuts for the gravy, which is called ‘kuah’ in Malay, along with bean curd, bean sprout, long beans and cucumber. It is that easy. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try now.
2) Nasi Ambeng
Nasi Ambeng is usually served in a platter. Each serving can be shared among four to five people. It consists of a variety of food choices that will just blow your mind.
When it comes to preparing this Javanese-Malay dish, you should not miss out on its side dishes which are chicken, fried noodles, long beans, sambal tempe accompanied by white rice that is served in banana leaf. In Selangor, Nasi Ambeng is normally served during festivals or large gatherings, locally known as ‘kenduri’.
3) Sambal Taun
Known as Sambal Taun or Sambal Tahun, this unique dish is popular among Selangorians. It originates from the early Javanese settlers and has become a traditional food of Selangor ever since. This dish is said to be spicy because of the amount of chilli used in its preparation.
Hence, the name sambal. Here in Selangor, the protein is taken from cow skin but it is commonly switched to either clams, cow lungs or even anchovies, according to one’s preference. Other ingredients needed to complete this one of a kind main dish are red onions, garlic, shrimp paste, coconut milk, oil, tamarind paste, a pinch of salt and sugar. In the past, it is believed that this dish was served during Eid celebration.
4) Wadai Kipeng
In the language of the Banjar people, ‘Wadai’ predominantly means ‘Kuih’, while ‘Kipeng’ is referred to pieces. Back in the day, it had been traditionally practised by the Banjar community to plate up Wadai Kipeng on their Thanksgiving ceremony.
It goes without saying, to prepare this porridge-like dessert, the must-have ingredients are glutinous rice flour, coconut, palm sugar, granulated sugar and some pandan leaves. This is a perfect sweet ending to your meal.
5) Bahulu Kemboja
We named it the ‘old-timers’ favourite traditional kuih that is still popular up to this day. Bahulu Kemboja can be served whenever you like, be it for breakfast, or even during teatime. Having its own speciality, this kuih is widely sold but it is undeniably tough to find some that taste as original as the Selangor version today.
You can always try making some at home, and you may even surprise yourself. To maintain the uniqueness and moisture of the kuih, the ingredients needed are original pandan essence straight from its leaves, wheat flour, rice flour, some coconut milk, eggs, sesame seeds for topping and of course, sugar and salt to add more flavour.
It is truly beneficial to have such amazing flavours and dishes in just one state. From appetisers, main dishes, desserts and teatime snacks, all these traditional cuisine is a reflection of how splendid Selangor can be!
