What is nasi katok? 'Nasi' means cooked rice. 'Katok' is 'ketok' as in the Malay language which equals to knock in English. So 'nasi katok' means knock rice :)
Where does nasi katok originate from or who started the saga? There are many story-tales as to justify the origin of nasi katok which is so famous that even tourists who have heard about it, never fail to buy or savour the nasi katok when they were in Brunei. It's like a fatal attraction heheee and it costs only one Brunei ringgit per packet.
How nutritious is nasi katok? A standard packet usually consists rice, a fifty-cent-size of sambal (cooked chili paste) and a bite size of fried chicken. A few sellers will add a slice of thin omelette or cucumber. What so delicious about it? Is it healthy? You be the judge!
Selling of nasi katok is mushrooming everywhere, particularly outside the capital area. It is either sold along streets or roadside stalls, home premises, cafes and now some restaurants have even started to add nasi katok on their menu. The use of plain or creative signboards is one way of attracting potential customers.
Who buys this nasi katok? Well, I do too ..once in a blue moon when I kinda 'crave' for it ..lols. I have seen that even individuals who are earning big salaries are among the patrons of this famous nasi katok stalls...not that they can't afford to eat in restaurants (maybe I should asked them why.. huh?? be kaypoh ..lols). Among the reasons that i can think of are:
- End of month, budget is tight...so eat nasi katok lahhh
- Families with many children ...just to get the feel of eating outside ...nasi katok cheap
- Legend nasi katok attracts old, new and also potential customers ..you know which one :)
People who sell nasi katok, are usually those who want to earn extra income. But can there be any ways or changes to make the nasi katok more healthier and nutritious?? Well, for you to know the answer ..is for you to find out.
Why don't you try be a nasi katok seller for a day ...change the fried to steam chicken, or add some freshly stir-fry vegetables ...and maybe you can be the first to improve the nasi katok legend and turn it into a modern day healthy nasi katok.
2 comments:
Back during my yrs at uni .... about 18 years back, we used to 'Katok' the doors of 2 houses to buy nasi bungkus...between 11.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. One was at the old 'barik letrik' (the one near to the former vehicle headquarters) at Gadong, and another famous one was the one near to Supa Save Mabohai... both places sold nasi bungkus at 70 cents per packet.... :), I wonder why people still use the term "nasi katok" now, because as you know, there are no more doors for them to 'katok' on....
Hmmm yeah I have heard those stories and few others...I guess "katok' the door act left its legacy till today for the new generation to know :)
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