Lontong Sayur (Rice Cakes in Coconut Curry)

Lontong sayur is a festive breakfast built around lontong — dense cakes of compressed rice — bathed in a rich coconut curry of pumpkin and green beans. It appears at holidays, gatherings, and lazy weekend mornings, always in a big pot with everyone helping themselves. The rice cakes soak up the gravy, and nobody leaves the table hungry. It is one of those dishes that tastes like a celebration even on a plain Tuesday.

Spiced coconut curry poured over tender rice cakes

The curry is lush and gently spicy, sweetened with palm sugar and deepened with lemongrass, lime leaves, and galangal, with pumpkin melting into the sauce and green beans adding bite. Soft rice cakes mop up every drop, and a handful of crispy shallots on top adds the crunch. It is hearty, comforting, and unapologetically generous — exactly what breakfast should be. A spoonful of sambal on top is welcome, and a boiled egg makes it a full plate.

Craving more? Explore all Indonesian Kitchen recipes.

Curious how this curry compares to others? Our World of Curries guide explains 8 styles. New to these flavors? Our Beginner’s Guide to Asian Sauces & Seasonings explains every pantry staple used here.

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