While exploring Brunei Darussalam, it’s common to come across street signs for nasi katok. These eye-catching signs vary from uneven handwriting on wooden planks or cardboard boxes to professionally printed placards. Despite having phonetic resemblance to the name of the popular Korean mobile messenger KakaoTalk, often shortened to “katalk,”
nasi katok is in fact a beloved Bruneian rice dish.
In Malay, “nasi” means rice, and “katok” means knock. The origin of nasi katok can be traced back to a simple yet ingenious concept where someone started selling home-packed meals of rice and basic side dishes for just one dollar. The dish’s affordability made it a hit among budget-conscious students and workers. Customers would knock on the vendor’s door at any hour to purchase these meals, hence the name nasi katok. As its popularity increased, many restaurants began to sell the dish, and chain stores such as Nasi Katok Kaka emerged. These chains offer diverse menus that go beyond the original dish and somewhat resemble Gimbap Cheonguk (Gimbap Heaven), a popular Korean fast-food franchise renowned for its quick, savory meals and extensive array of affordable gimbap (Korean seaweed rice rolls).
Recent cultural exchanges have introduced nasi katok in Korea as a quintessential Bruneian dish, often labeled as “chicken rice.” Yet, the original dish is deceptively simple, consisting of rice, a boiled egg, fried small anchovies, and a dollop of sambal, all carefully wrapped in smooth, coated paper. The rice used is distinctively non-sticky and fluffy, and the small fried anchovies are saltier and crunchier compared to Korea’s stir-fried anchovies. The sauce known as sambal originated in Indonesia but is also integral to the cuisines of Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. Crafted from a blend of pepper, chili, minced onion, garlic, shrimp, and fermented seafood, its unique combination of taste, aroma, and heat varies from recipe to recipe. Much like the individuality of household recipes, the flavor of nasi katok can vary significantly, influenced by the particular anchovies and sambal sauce used, as well as the personal touch of the cook.
Although one-dollar nasi katok stalls have become less common in Brunei Darussalam, the dish remains an affordable indulgence. The price may be slightly higher now, but it’s still a budget-friendly and filling choice for many.
Beyond nasi katok, Bruneian street food offers an array of other delightful options. The vibrant Gadong Night Market, a renowned hotspot in the eponymous commercial district, is a haven for food enthusiasts. Here, you can savor skewers grilled over open charcoal flames, irresistible banana fritters that grow more appealing with each bite, colorful rice cakes known as kuih, or sugarcane juice freshly extracted with a noisy machine. The captivating allure of Brunei Darussalam’s endless variety of street food often stops travelers in their tracks, adding rich, flavorful dimensions to their travel experience.
KOREA FOUNDATION
