Nasi Daun Jeruk is a simple yet luxurious rice dish that has exploded in popularity, often served alongside viral dishes like Ayam Geprek or spicy shrimp. The secret to its appeal lies in the powerful, citrusy fragrance of kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk), sautéed with butter, garlic, and sometimes lemongrass, before being cooked with the rice.

This dish is celebrated for transforming plain white rice into an aromatic and refreshing culinary experience.

Why Nasi Daun Jeruk Went Viral

1. Intense Aroma: The high concentration of kaffir lime oil, released during the sautéing process, provides a sharp, fresh, and slightly floral scent that is incredibly appetizing.
2. Simple Elegance: It’s an easy dish to make, but its flavor and aroma instantly elevate any simple meal.
3. Perfect Pairing: It cuts through the richness and spice of heavy Indonesian main courses (like rendang or sambal udang), balancing the heat with its fresh, tangy notes.

Recipe: Perfectly Fragrant Nasi Daun Jeruk

This recipe uses a rice cooker for maximum ease, but the key is the preparation of the aromatics.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (approx. 400g) white rice, washed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups water (use the standard water amount for your rice cooker)
• 10–15 Kaffir Lime Leaves (Daun Jeruk), finely sliced (remove the middle spine before slicing)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or finely crushed
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, bruised (optional, for extra aroma)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp chicken stock powder (or mushroom powder)
• 2 tbsp butter or margarine

Instructions

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Melt the butter in a small pan. Sauté the minced garlic and sliced shallots (if using) until fragrant.
2. Infuse the Butter: Add the finely sliced kaffir lime leaves and the bruised lemongrass. Sauté quickly for about 30 seconds until the leaves are bright green and very fragrant. Do not burn the garlic.
3. Transfer to Rice Cooker: Transfer the washed rice to the rice cooker pot. Pour the infused butter, garlic, and lime leaves directly over the rice.
4. Add Seasoning: Add the measured water, salt, and chicken stock powder. Stir gently once to combine the seasonings with the rice.
5. Cook: Cook the rice using the standard “Cook” setting on your rice cooker.
6. Fluff and Serve: Once the rice cooker switches to “Warm,” open the lid and use a fork or spatula to fluff the rice, mixing the leaves evenly. This prevents the rice at the bottom from getting too dense.

Serve the aromatic Nasi Daun Jeruk hot with any savory Indonesian dish.