Nasi Uduk - Asian Coconut Rice Recipe

Get ready for a flavor journey! Imagine rice that’s not just fluffy, but incredibly aromatic, subtly sweet, and wonderfully savory all at once. That’s Nasi Uduk, Jakarta’s famous coconut rice, and it’s about to become your new favorite authentic Asian food recipe. Unlike plain coconut rice, Nasi Uduk sings with unique Indonesian aromatics like pandan, lemongrass, and daun salam, creating a fragrance that will fill your kitchen and transport you straight to Southeast Asia. It’s comforting, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make.
How to master the authentic Indonesian flavors of Nasi Uduk, infused with pandan, lemongrass, and daun salam.
An easy, repeatable method to cook perfect coconut rice right on your stovetop, no weird tools required.
Simple, delicious ideas for how to serve Nasi Uduk for a quick and easy Asian dinner.
Ready to dive in?

Ingredients

• 2 cups jasmine rice, long-grain (see note on why long-grain is best)
• 1 (13.5 oz / 400ml) can full-fat coconut milk (look for brands without stabilizers if possible, or give it a good shake)
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and tied into a knot
• 2 pandan leaves, fresh or frozen, knotted (see note on how to knot)
• 3 Indonesian bay leaves (daun salam), fresh or dried (see substitutions if you can't find them)
• 1-inch piece galangal, thinly sliced or lightly bruised (see substitutions if you can't find it)
• 1-inch piece ginger, thinly sliced or lightly bruised
• ½ teaspoon coriander seeds, lightly crushed (optional, but adds a nice depth)

Directions

1. Rinse & Drain the Rice: Place the jasmine rice in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse it under cold running water, gently swirling with your hand, until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch, preventing mushy rice and ensuring fluffy grains. Drain thoroughly.
2. Prepare the Aromatics: Take your lemongrass stalks and gently bruise them with the back of a knife or a pestle to release their fragrant oils, then tie them into a knot. For the pandan leaves, tie each leaf into a loose knot. Lightly bruise the galangal and ginger slices. This step is key to unlocking all those wonderful "nasi uduk" flavors!
3. Combine Liquids & Aromatics: In a medium heavy-bottom pot with a tight-fitting lid, combine the canned coconut milk, water, and salt. Add the bruised lemongrass, knotted pandan leaves, daun salam, bruised galangal, bruised ginger, and optional coriander seeds. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the coconut milk from sticking.
4. Add Rice, Stir, & Cook: Once simmering, add the rinsed and drained rice to the pot. Stir once to combine everything and distribute the rice evenly. Do not stir excessively, as this can release starch and make the rice mushy. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly with the lid, and cook for 15-18 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid during this time!
5. Rest & Steam: After 15-18 minutes, remove the pot from the heat (still keeping the lid on!) and let it rest undisturbed for another 10-15 minutes. This crucial steaming period allows the rice to finish cooking evenly and become perfectly fluffy, absorbing any remaining moisture.
6. Remove Aromatics, Fluff & Taste: Carefully remove the lid. Take out and discard all the aromatics (lemongrass, pandan, daun salam, galangal, ginger, coriander seeds). Using a fork, gently fluff the Nasi Uduk. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve immediately and enjoy!
7. Note Box:
   1. Rice Cooker Shortcut: For an even easier approach, simply combine all ingredients (rinsed rice, coconut milk, water, salt, and prepared aromatics) directly into your rice cooker pot. Use the standard "white rice" setting. Once cooked, let it rest for 10 minutes before removing aromatics and fluffing.
   2. Instant Pot Note: While possible, Instant Pot cooking times can vary. If you've tested it successfully, use your preferred "white rice" Instant Pot method, adjusting liquid slightly if needed. Otherwise, the stovetop method is foolproof!