Pretty nasi lemak ice-cream a hit in Malaysia

Malaysians love their nasi lemak.

One has gone so far as to create an ice-cream that tastes and looks like the undisputed national dish of the country.

Melissa Tan Chia Hui, 25, told Bernama that she took three months to come up with the "perfect" nasi lemak flavour.

She uses lemongrass and coconut milk to make the ice-cream, and sprinkles typical nasi lemak condiments - peanuts, anchovies, sambal, eggs and cucumber - over it.

Her creation, available for RM10 (S$3.20) a cup at a cafe in Alor Setar, has become a hit among fellow Malaysians.

Sales more than quadrupled within ten days of its launch on Jan 20, which saw 30 cups sold. The number increased to 144 on Jan 30.

There are, however, some who cannot accept their beloved savoury dish as a dessert, saying the two should be eaten separately.

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Other disparaging labels thrown at the item include "ridiculous" and "hipster".

But Ms Tan has dismissed the negative comments, saying that she is not a hipster trying to seek attention.

"My aim is to produce something delicious, get people to like it, and finally agree that this really is nasi lemak ice-cream," she told Bernama.

This is not the first time nasi lemak ice-cream has appeared in Malaysia.

Cielo Dolci cafe in Kuala Lumpur launched the flavour in 2012, when "nobody wanted to try it".

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But owner Ong Kee Win told AFP in 2015 that the situation was improving with more locals and foreigners willing to taste it.

There was also a stall selling nasi lemak ice-cream at Kuching Festival Fair 2016.

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In Singapore, there has been a recent "nasi lemak renaissance" as more food and beverage players here are introducing a modern spin to the traditional dish.

One is selling it with truffle poached egg, while another has a version that comes with a large fried squid on a skewer.

huizhen@sph.com.sg