Food from Sabah, Malaysia: Beef Rendang with Ulam Raja

Beef Rendang and Ulam Raja from Malaysia
Beef Rendang and Ulam Raja

Straight from a local cafe, I came across a seriously filling plate of Beef Rendang and Ulam Raja from Sabah Malaysia

Beef Rendang has is origins in Indonesia, just don’t tell anyone in Malaysia as it’s one of the favorites in Sabah (source: wikipedia). And, I can taste why.

Strips of beef are cooked in spices and coconut milk until it’s been completely reduced. Thus infusing the meat with an incredible rich flavor.

Beef Rendang is extremely tender!

The meat itself becomes so tender is breaks apart with ease. Already it’s become another favorite of mine here. Not just because of the taste, but also because of the sizable portions.

Bring on the vegetables

This particular dish came served with some Ulam Raja, a Spanish vegetable dish meaning Kings Salad. The plant itself grows like wildfire all over Malaysia and makes it a choice vegetable. To me it is very similar to spinach.

The combination of the spicy Beef Rendang and crunchy Ulam Raja makes this a great meal in Sabah, Malaysia.

This is an additional post and one of a series highlighting Food in Sabah, Malaysia

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18 Replies to “Food from Sabah, Malaysia: Beef Rendang with Ulam Raja”

  1. Looks great. But, it needs a little “something-or-other” red on the left, maybe between the rice and the beef. Would not get out of my kitchen (or Gordon Ramsay’s, either, without a few degrading cuss words)

    1. Ha! I know what you mean. I don’t think it’s meant to look pretty. Quite honestly I am very glad to find a place serving this, as it’s one of the few things that really fills me up here. A lot, small rice portions and soupy things that lack meat. I know what Gordon would say to that too!

  2. OMG that looks so good right now! I’m really looking forward to more food posts from Malaysia. It looks so much more interesting than food from the Philippines (and I was married to a Pinay-American!)

    1. Hey Greg, yep there’s a huge difference between Pinoy food and Malaysian food. Considering they are so close (Sabah), it’s surprising. I look forward to eating and posting some more about what I find over here.

  3. That’s a plateful!! I’m really starting to like how you go to these local places. I like eating out at night, but during the day this is the type of food you will find when roaming around.

    1. I don’t think I am the average “tourist” in the sense that I like to treat myself to a nice meal every night. So yes, what you get here is everyday food I am coming across. Hope you’ll continue to like it!

  4. what are you talking about ?! Beef Rendang Nasi has its origins in MALAYSIAAAAA :P hah! I love beef rendang. Now I need to go get some for lunch. Your fault.

  5. I love beef rendang! I just had it yesterday and it’s the most tender piece of meat I’ve ever tasted! And the gravy is oh-so-flavourful and delicious, perfect with rice! I’m glad you love them too!!

    1. Yes I really do like it. Rendang is very filling, keeps me going all day. I’ve now got the problem of not wanting to eat anything else because this simply works so well for me an being out all day! :)

  6. Mmm, this looks good. I’ve been in Malaysia for a while now, and I have yet to come across this dish! I guess I gotta search a little harder :)

    1. Hi Eli,

      I’d say you gotta try it if you want something to fill you up! Nothing has worked as much as this for me so far :) I think it must be in West Malaysia too, as “@IamtheWitch” from twitter just commented she had some yesterday!

  7. I’ve not had ulam raja, but it looks like kangkong – water spinach, so part of the same family. It’s yummy stir fried with shrimp paste and garlic.

    What’s behind the mound of rice, the doughy looking thing?

    1. Actually yes, it’s very much like KangKong. Also cooked with garlic, but no shrimp paste (whew, for me).

      The doughy looking thing is a small omelette with red pepper, green pepper, and onion. Comes with the dish. Hence, it’s very filling!

  8. Wow amazing rendang, looks as good as the one my mum makes – she grew up in Sabah and is Singaporean. I’d have to taste it to know if it’s just as flavoursome!

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