Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin, a Kelantanese breakfast staple, is loved by all Malaysians.
Cooked in Tumpat, on the East Coast, the breakfast rice dish is sought after by locals.
This was the first pit stop when Kak Izza took me on a whirlwind tour of Butterworth.
Sometimes, it sold out early.
We reached Butterworth a little after 11.30 AM to start our food hunt.
Dory was ready to eat her best meals in Seberang, with Kak Izza prepared to share all her favorite places.
I think these humble stalls, Kopitiam, should be in every traveler’s sight as they venture to the Mainland like me.
Maybe everyone else knows except me, which is unsurprising as I can sometimes be a bit of a blurry fish.
Where is Kampung Air Dingin?
Kampung Air Dingin is a village located in Tumpat, Kelantan, a state in Malaysia.
What is Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin?
Original breakfasts from Kelantan, such as Nasi Berlauk, Nasi Dagang, Nasi Tumpang, Nasi Impit Sambal, and Nasi Kerabu, have found their way into the tummy of Malaysians outside the state.
Nasi Dagang
Nasi Dagang is husked red rice or a combination of jasmine and glutinous white rice steamed in coconut milk.
It is served with fish curry and extra ingredients like pickled cucumber and carrots.
Nasi tumpang (Nasi Tupe)
Traditionally, Nasi Tupe was a staple food for travelers or farmers in Kelantan to bring to work.
The rice consists of different layers of dishes wrapped in cones packed with banana leaves.
Nasi himpit / impit / kapit sambal kelapa is served with coconut sambal,
L to R Nasi Kerabu Daging Bakar and Nasi Berluak Ikan Tongkol (Mackerel).
Entrepreneurial Kelantanese Women
The gentle but inherently strong womenfolk of Kelantan have a unique trait that dates back to traditional customary laws (adat) from centuries past.
Kelantanese mythology is laden with rich tales of women warriors, rulers, and mystical beings.
Today’s modern Kelantan woman may not be as intimidating as her forebears, but she is awe-inspiring for her quiet strength, grace, and fierce determination.
Young girls in Kelantan are raised to be hardworking to support or supplement the family income.
They watch their mother and grandmothers manage their small businesses.
The Kelantanese women have shown their entrepreneurial skills by running and managing businesses from small stalls.
Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin stall at PERDA
Famous Brands of Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin
There are a few famous brands of Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin originating from Kampung Air Dingin, Tumpat, Kelantan.
- Nasi Berlauk Kak Chik
- Nasi Berlauk Husna
- Nasi Tengku Noor
Nasi Tengku Noor @ Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin stall at PERDA
The brands have already been catering to the tastes of Nasi Berluak in the Klang Valley, regardless of whether they are natives of Kelantan or Malaysia.
They have opened up business opportunities to a few entrepreneurs who want to sell their products as breakfast items.
So, you can enjoy the delicious Kelantan food every day.
Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin Wholesale Price
You can even buy it on Shopee for a wholesale price of RM5 each with 55 packets and above at RM4.50.
Menu Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin
Menu Nasi Berlauk – RM6 per packet
• Daging Kerutuk
• Daging Goreng Kuah Gulai
• Nasi Kerabu Ayam Goreng
• Nasi Kerabu Daging Bakar
• Nasi Kerabu Ikan Goreng
• Nasi Dagang
• Gulai Ikan Tongkol
• Ayam Goreng Kuah Gulai
• Ayam Masak Merah
• Gulai Ayam Kampung
• Gulai Ayam
Menu Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin stall at PERDA
Menu Kueh RM3
- Akok
- Akok Pandan
- Kuih Kaswi Lompang
Image: Facebook Nasi Berlauk Air Dingin Kak Chik Penang
Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin Transfer
Breakfast menus are now delivered by vans or 4x4s carrying food from Kelantan daily to cater to the massive demand for breakfast in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kedah, and Terengganu.
For Penang, the rice packets are transferred by van and dropped off at their respective stalls, which are run by agents.
“COOK IN KELANTAN, EAT IN PENANG”
There are five types: Nasi Berluak Ayam (chicken), Nasi Kerabu (Blue Rice), Nasi Berluak Daging (Beef), Nasi Dagang, and the most popular dish – Nasi Berluak Ikan Tongkol (Mackerel).
The womenfolk start cooking the rice, and the side dishes begin at 5.30 PM.
Image: Facebook Nasi Berlauk Air Dingin Kak Chik Penang
The rice will be ready at 10 PM and packed before the van arrives at 10.30 PM every night for distribution via the East-West Highway in other states.
Image: Facebook Nasi Berlauk Air Dingin Kak Chik Penang
Along the way, the vans stop distributing supplies to traders waiting at the Banjaran Titiwangsa R&R Stop, Gerik, Baling, Kulim, Sungai Dua, and Permatang Pauh before ending at Juru.
In Nibong Tebal, the rice arrives as early as 5:30 AM at the Juru Rest and Rehabilitation (R&R) Stop, where operators gather for pick-ups.
Image: Facebook Nasi Berlauk Air Dingin Kak Chik Penang
If the ‘package’ did not reach their hands, the traders would not open stalls that day.
Penang is famous for Nasi Kandar, Pasembur, and Nasi Melayu.
East Coast-flavored dishes are a boon to those from Kelantan looking for a taste of home.
Nasi Berlauk Kg. Air Dingin Locations
(refer to Facebook for the latest)
1. PERDA – Next to Petronas Permatang Batu, near TNB PERDA, in front of Murtabak House
Opens at 7.30 AM until Sold Out (10.00 AM to 12.30 PM)
Reservation – 0177053679 Khairul
PERDA – Next to Petronas Permatang Batu, near TNB PERDA
2. JURU – Between Bukit Minyak Clinic and Pakmat Western
Opens at 7.30 AM until Sold Out
Reservations – 017-7053679 Khairul
3. TOKKUN – in front of Petronas Tokkun by the highway.
(Tuesday to Sunday)
Opens at 7.30 AM until Sold Out (10 AM – 11 AM)
Reservations – 0177053679 Khairul
4. KEPALA BATAS – by Taman Seri Indah Highway near Petronas
Opens at 7.00 AM until Sold Out (9.00 AM to 10.30 AM)
Reservations – 0194986366 Azhan
5. JALAN BARU – in front of Masjid Jamek Al-Hidayah [Jalan Baru], Stop for Nasi Lemak and Kueh
Opens at 8.00 AM until Sold Out
6. JAWI – near IPD JAWI, BHP, near Nibong Tebal Toll
Opens at 7.00 AM until Sold Out
Reservations – 0135805231 Azni
7. SIMPANG AMPAT – near Bus Stop on the road heading to Bukit Tambun 500 meters from
Maybank @ Simpang Ampat
Opens at 7.00 AM until Sold Out (9.00 AM to 10.00 AM)
Reservations – 0175843784 Rizal
8. TUN SARDON – Shop in Tun Sardon Market Area near Masjid At-Taqwa Taman Brown Taman Tun Sardon
Opens at 7.00 AM until Sold Out (9.00 AM to 11.00 AM)
Reservations – 0103868456 En. Bakar
9. TELUK KUMBAR – next to Mak Aji Café and Kak Mek Mee Celup Telur Gedik, in front of Bistro Mixed
Opens at 7.00 AM until Sold Out (9.00 AM to 11.00 AM)
Reservations – 0103868456 En. Bakar
10. UiTM PERMATANG PAUH – Kiosk No. 8, Laman Perdana, UiTM Permatang Pauh
Opens at 9.00 AM until Sold Out
Reservations – 0189424819 Kak Roy
Share your favorite Kelantanese Food Stalls with me.
