Nasi Liwet – Indonesia Sundanese Aromatic Rice

Make Nasi Liwet at home! Sundanese coconut milk rice that’s creamy, fragrant, and perfect to enjoy with fried chicken and sambal. Perfect for celebrating tradition for Independence Day, family meals, and gatherings.

Come with me to make Indonesian Sundanese aromatic rice or Nasi liwet, upgrade your regular white rice to the next level! fragrant, creamy, and instantly makes your eating portion gain double 😄

What is Nasi Liwet?

If plain white rice is your everyday go-to, then nasi liwet is like rice dressed up for a party. It’s fluffy white rice cooked with coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, bay leaves, and sometimes pandan, so every grain comes out rich, creamy, and aromatic.

Nasi Liwet, often called Sundanese Aromatic Rice, is one of Indonesia’s most beloved rice dishes. Unlike plain steamed rice, it’s cooked with coconut milk and a blend of herbs like lemongrass, galangal, bay leaves, and sometimes pandan leaves. The result is fluffy rice that’s creamy, savory, and wonderfully fragrant.

Back in the day, Sundanese farmers would cook it in a heavy pot called a kastrol over wood fire, letting it simmer slowly while they worked. By lunchtime, the rice was perfectly infused and ready to be enjoyed together. These days, I’m not about to start a fire in my backyard (and I bet you aren’t either 😅), so the rice cooker totally does the trick. Same comfort, way less hassle.

Tradition of eating this feast

Here’s where nasi liwet gets extra special—it’s not just food, it’s an experience. Traditionally, it’s served family-style on big banana leaves laid across a long table (or even straight on the floor). Everyone sits side by side, digging in with their hands, sharing laughs, and basically turning a meal into a mini festival.

This way of eating is especially common during Agustusan (Indonesia’s Independence Day in August). Picture this: after neighborhood games and parades, the community gathers around the banana leaves, piling rice, fried chicken, salted fish, tempeh, tofu, and sambal onto their plates (or hands). It’s messy, delicious, and all about togetherness. Honestly? It’s my favorite part of the holiday. Sometimes it also use for welcoming party or welcome guest This style is especially popular for big gatherings like Indonesian Independence Day, family reunions, or a syukuran rumah baru (housewarming feast).

In Indonesia, when someone moves into a new home, they often invite neighbors and relatives over for a meal as a way of giving thanks and blessing the new space. Nasi liwet, with its festive presentation and communal style, is a perfect choice. Nothing says “welcome” better than a table full of people gathered around banana leaves, eating and celebrating together.

 when people gather after games and parades to share a meal. Everyone—young and old—sits together, laughing, eating, and creating memories. It’s not just about filling the stomach but also celebrating unity.

Serving Suggestion

If you want to re-create the full vibe at home, pair nasi liwet with Ayam Goreng Lengkuas (that’s fried chicken topped with crispy golden galangal shreds—yes, it’s as good as it sounds). You can try my Ayam goreng recipe. Add a side of sambal terasi or my tomato sambal, try to add peanut anchovy sambal too, and fresh lalapan (cucumber, lettuce, maybe some basil leaves) to round it out.

Together, the creamy rice and crunchy chicken are pure comfort food goals. It’s the kind of meal that feels humble but still feast-worthy—perfect for sharing with friends or family, even if you don’t have banana leaves handy.

So… are you ready to roll up your sleeves and make your own Nasi Liwet Sunda feast? Trust me, once you taste it, plain rice just won’t hit the same anymore.

Ingredients of Nasi Liwet

• Rice (rinsed) – The heart of the dish. Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, so the grains cook up fluffy and not sticky. Traditionally, fragrant jasmine rice or local Indonesian rice is used for the best aroma.
• Shallots – Shallots give a natural sweetness and a deep flavor base. When sautéed, they release a caramelized fragrance that blends beautifully with the coconut and spices.
• Cloves Garlic – Adds that essential savory kick and depth to balance the richness of the dish. Garlic is also what makes the rice smell irresistible when cooked.
• Bird’s Eye Chili (Cabe Rawit): For a spicy punch. This makes the nasi liwet lively and bold, but you can adjust the amount depending on your spice tolerance. Some people keep them whole for mild heat, others slice them to spread the spiciness evenly.
• Lemongrass (bruised): Provides a citrusy, refreshing aroma that cuts through the heaviness of the coconut milk. Bruising helps release its essential oils.
• Bay Leaves (Daun Salam): A classic Indonesian herb that brings earthy, slightly bitter notes to balance the flavors.
• Galangal (bruised): Adds warmth and a peppery aroma. Galangal is a key spice in Indonesian cooking, giving that authentic depth that regular ginger can’t quite replace.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and makes the rice savory.
• Chicken Stock Powder: Boosts the umami and gives the rice a richer, more satisfying taste.
• Pepper: A subtle spice that complements the chili and adds a mild heat.
• Water:  The cooking liquid that helps the rice absorb all the flavors from the spices and herbs as it steams.

How to Make Nasi Liwet

First, prepare the aromatics by slicing the shallots, garlic, and galangal. Smash the lemongrass stalks to release their aroma, then set everything aside.

Next, heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced shallots and garlic, then cook for about 3 minutes until they become soft and fragrant. Remove from the heat.

After that, transfer the rinsed rice into the inner pot of your rice cooker. Add the sautéed aromatics, galangal, lemongrass, bird’s eye chilies, bay leaves, salt, chicken stock powder, pepper, and water. Stir gently to combine everything well.

Then, close the rice cooker lid and start the cooking process. Allow it to cook until it automatically switches to the “warm” setting.

Once cooked, let the rice rest in the rice cooker for about 10–15 minutes. This step allows the flavors to deepen and the rice to fully absorb the aromatics.

Finally, fluff the rice with a rice paddle or spoon before serving. Enjoy your nasi liwet warm, paired with galangal fried chicken, fresh vegetables, and sambal bawang for the complete traditional experience.

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