Main Course · Asian · Dinner ·

Fragrant Malay Nasi Kerabu with Herbal Grilled Fish

Name: Fragrant Malay Nasi Kerabu with Herbal Grilled Fish
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 cups jasmine rice; 15 butterfly pea flowers; 2 ½ cups water; ½ tsp salt; 4 fillets of mackerel; 2 tbsp lemongrass, finely chopped; 1 tbsp turmeric powder; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp ginger, grated; ½ tsp salt; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 cup bean sprouts; ½ cup shredded coconut, lightly toasted; ½ cup fresh Thai basil leaves; ½ cup mint leaves; ½ cup cilantro, chopped; 1 cucumber, sliced thin; 3 red chilies, chopped; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 lime, juiced; 1 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tbsp palm sugar

A vibrant Malaysian dish of blue-tinted rice, fresh herbs, and a flavorful grilled fish that captivates the senses and brings a taste of Southeast Asia to your table.

4.8(747 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·February 14, 2026

Fragrant Malay Nasi Kerabu with Herbal Grilled Fish — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Blue Rice

For the Herbal Grilled Fish

For the Salad

For the Sambal Dressing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 723 kcal
Protein: 32.6 g
Carbs: 86.5 g
Fat: 29.1 g
Fiber: 6.3 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2892 kcal
Protein: 130.5 g
Carbs: 345.9 g
Fat: 116.2 g
Fiber: 25.3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 cups jasmine rice	1360	25.6	296	2.4	2.4
15 butterfly pea flowers	2	0.1	0.4	0.1	0.1
2 ½ cups water	0	0	0	0	0
½ tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
4 fillets of mackerel	840	108	0	48	0
2 tbsp lemongrass, finely chopped	4	0.2	1	0	0.2
1 tbsp turmeric powder	29	0.9	4.5	1	1.4
3 cloves garlic, minced	13	0.6	3	0	0.2
1 tbsp ginger, grated	5	0.1	1	0	0.2
½ tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
2 tbsp vegetable oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 cup bean sprouts	31	3	6	0.2	1.8
½ cup shredded coconut, lightly toasted	142	1.4	5	13	3.5
½ cup fresh Thai basil leaves	5	0.5	1	0	0.3
½ cup mint leaves	4	0.4	0.8	0.1	0.6
½ cup cilantro, chopped	2	0.3	0.3	0.1	0.2
1 cucumber, sliced thin	16	0.7	3.8	0.2	0.5
3 red chilies, chopped	16	0.6	3.4	0.2	0.6
1 clove garlic, minced	4	0.2	1	0	0.1
1 lime, juiced	11	0.3	3.7	0.1	0.1
1 tbsp fish sauce	11	1.4	0.7	0.1	0
1 tbsp palm sugar	60	0	15	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Fish

1
Combine Ingredients
Combine lemongrass, turmeric, garlic, ginger, salt, and vegetable oil in a bowl.
2
Marinate Fillets
Rub the marinade over the mackerel fillets.
3
Rest
Let it sit for at least 20 minutes.
Tip: Marinate longer for deeper flavor.

Preparing the Rice

1
Rinse Rice
Rinse jasmine rice until water runs clear.
2
Steep Flowers
Boil water with butterfly pea flowers; steep until deep blue.
Tip: Steep flowers longer for a deeper hue.
3
Cook Rice
Strain flowers and use blue water to cook rice with salt.

How to Make Fragrant Malay Nasi Kerabu with Herbal Grilled Fish

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Grilling the Fish
Heat a grill pan over medium heat; grill the fish for about 4 minutes per side until cooked through.
2
Mixing the Salad
Toss bean sprouts, coconut, basil, mint, cilantro, and cucumber in a large bowl.
3
Preparing the Dressing
Blend chilies, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar until smooth.

Chef's Tips

Frequently asked questions

How long can I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, prep components like the salad and sauce a day ahead, but assemble just before serving.

Are there any substitutions for mackerel?

You can use salmon or tilapia as alternatives.

Is there a way to make it vegetarian?

Substitute the fish with grilled tofu and fish sauce with soy sauce.

Can I use a different rice?

Yes, basmati rice works as an alternative to jasmine rice.

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Fragrant Malay Nasi Kerabu with Herbal Grilled Fish

Preparation

Marinating the Fish

Combine Ingredients

Marinate Fillets

Rest

Preparing the Rice

Rinse Rice

Steep Flowers

Cook Rice

How to Make Fragrant Malay Nasi Kerabu with Herbal Grilled Fish

Grilling the Fish

Mixing the Salad

Preparing the Dressing

Chef's Tips

Frequently asked questions

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