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Rendang is a fried meat or dry curry made of meat stewed in coconut milk and spices, widely popular across Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, where each version is considered local cuisine. It refers to both a cooking method of frying and the dish cooked in that way. The process involves slowly cooking meat in spiced coconut milk in an uncovered pot or pan until the oil separates, allowing the dish to fry in its own sauce, coating the meat in a rich, flavorful glaze.

Etymology and definitions
Both the Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia and Kamus Dewan define rendang as meat cooked with spices and coconut milk until completely dry; rendang is also a verb for the action of frying in a pan with or without oil (only in Kamus Dewan). Food historian Khir Johari explains that rendang had a broader meaning for frying in general before the prevalence of goreng. For instance, Munshi Abdullah in his 1838 travelogue to Kelantan described the people of Terengganu enjoying '''' (fried banana fritters) — what the Malays now called or . Linguist Tom G. Hoogervorst's etymological research traces back to the 17th-century Malay wordlists. or "dry curry". Rendang entered Oxford English Dictionary through Malay and Indonesian rendang which also cognates with Minangkabau randang. Gusti Asnan notes that the earliest recorded mention of randang in the Minangkabau context appears in J.L. van der Toorn's Minangkabau-Malay-Dutch dictionary published in 1891. This word in turn comes from marandang, which means cooking food slowly until the food becomes dry. The Minangkabau people brought rendang as a provision because of its ability to last a long time when moving to other regions. == History ==
History
Timeline of documentation The first known use of the word Food historian Fadly Rahman traces the earliest reference to rendang to the early 16th-century Malay manuscript Hikayat Amir Hamzah associated with the Malacca Sultanate (1400–1528). Written during the spread of Islam in the Malay world, this adaptation of the Persian Hamzanama was later compiled into Malay and intended to inspire Malacca's soldiers in their fight against the Portuguese in 1511. In Malay version, there mentioned the words "rendang" and "merendang" (roasting) which is quoted as follows: where it was defined as "to fry in butter or oil, to fry, to fricassee". The dictionary was expanded and updated multiple times. According to Fadly Rahman, the author of the dictionary attempted to translate rendang using a European dish, something that his readers would be familiar with — fricassee, a French cooking method that involves cutting meat into pieces and braising it. Another manuscript, Hikayat Awang Sulung Merah Muda, reflects 18th-century life and cooking traditions. In the narration, a prince hunts and captures a pelanduk (mouse deer), which is then prepared in various styles — tumis, rendang, and gulai. Tumis refers to a dish that is more like soup, while rendang resembles the slow-cooked dish we know today. These manuscripts offer a glimpse into the Malay cuisine of the 17th and 18th centuries. Historical records from the 19th century, including newspaper reports and travelogues, often described the key ingredients of rempah (spice paste) used in rendang, as well as its regional variations. In 1881, when King David Kalākaua of Hawaii visited Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar served rendang tenggiri as part of the royal reception. Made popular through cookbooks and newspapers By the early 20th century, rendang recipes began appearing in published cookbooks and newspapers across British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. On 2 February 1917, Soenting Melajoe featured an article by Datoek Soetan Maharadja, noting that Europeans residing in Palembang, Batavia, and Kupang had written to Minangkabau women, sending money through the magazine's editor to request the preparation and delivery of “rendang Alam Minangkabau”. ''The "Mem's" Own Cookery Book: 420 Tried and Economical Recipes for Malaya'' (1920) by Mrs. Kinsey, published in Singapore, included a recipe for "rundang" that used curry powder and could be served with spaghetti. In 1936, R.A. Kardinah's Cooking Guide for Ladies, published in Batavia, featured a chicken rendang recipe that emphasized slow cooking, though it adapted traditional ingredients. Contemporary era In Indonesia, rendang is mainly associated with Minangkabau. The popularity of rendang grew with the presence of Minangkabau-style lepau (food stalls) in areas where Minangkabau migrants settled. Their presence in new areas played a significant role in popularizing rendang as a signature dish of West Sumatra. Today, rendang stands as the iconic menu item in Minangkabau restaurants, often accompanied by other meat-based dishes. However, rendang has also become a staple in Malay eateries. It even features on the menus of international restaurants, showcasing its enduring appeal and cultural significance. Winarno and Agustinah believe rendang may have been inspired by curry, a dish combining meat and spices in North India. Indian traders who traveled to West Sumatra brought their culinary traditions with them, possibly influencing the development of rendang. It likely traces its roots to Indian merchants, though it has undergone multiple layers of evolution over time. During this period, Malaysia and Indonesia had yet to emerge as distinct geographical entities, resulting in a deep shared culinary and cultural history. Fadly Rahman inferred that rendang is closely associated with the Islamic tradition, the migratory culture, and the commercial ethics of the Minangkabau people. An early reference to “Rendang Minang”, a dish renowned for its ability to last for months and favored by migrants and traders, dates to 1917. When the Portuguese ruled Malacca (1511–1641), they brought various cultural and culinary influences to the Malay Peninsula and neighboring Sumatra. Portuguese cuisine introduced preservation techniques and terms like acar, belacan, baulu, and mentega. After Malacca fell to the Dutch, the Kristang community — descendants of Malaccan Portuguese settlers — faced economic challenges and sought cost-effective ways to prepare food. They adopted techniques similar to those used by their counterparts in Portuguese Macau, such as frying meat with minimal water until it blackened, resembling bafado. (Bafado is derived from the term abafado, which means "a dish of stew".) and then spread to the Malay people and reached the Minangkabau. and was later adapted as balado in Minangkabau, which has since become a widely recognized culinary term in Minangkabau cuisine. With both bafado and balado serving food preservation purposes, and considering the movement of Minangkabau traders across the Malacca Strait from Sumatra to Peninsula Malaysia, it reflects Luso's culinary influence may be spread due to human traffic activities between two regions. == Cultural significance ==
Cultural significance
Rendang was officially recognized by Malaysia as a National Heritage food in 2009, Randang from West Sumatra was granted cultural heritage status in 2013 by the Indonesian government. Malay food traditions make the most of coconuts, knowing that the best coconut milk comes from mature coconuts. People with coconut palms could easily choose the right coconut for rendang the next day. CNN International conducted a worldwide poll in 2011; it named rendang as the world's most delicious dish, ranking first among 50 dishes. The published article called rendang an "Indonesian dish". According to Fadly Rahman, many Indonesians don't just see this ranking as proof of rendang's exceptional taste; rather, it has been widely used by the government and culinary communities to reinforce that rendang is an Indonesian dish, not Malaysian. However, what often goes unnoticed is how this claim transforms rendang from a symbol of culinary excellence into a dish laden with political significance. Philosophy Rendang holds deep philosophical significance for the Minang people of West Sumatra, embodying the values of deliberation and consensus (musyawarah dan mufakat). It is rooted in four key ingredients, each symbolizing an essential pillar of Minangkabau society. Dagiang (beef) represents the niniak mamak (traditional tribal leaders), karambia (coconut) symbolizes the cadiak pandai (intellectuals), lado (chili) stands for the alim ulama (religious scholars who strictly uphold teachings), and cook (spices) represents the broader Minangkabau community. The Minangkabau philosophy in cooking rendang includes three main values: patience, wisdom, and perseverance. The cooking process that requires careful selection of ingredients reflects the good values of the human being. ==Composition and cooking method==
Composition and cooking method
Rendang is most often described as meat slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices until it becomes tender. If cooked properly, dry rendang can last for as long as four weeks. and therefore became a popular cooking technique. Its durability is one of the reasons that today, prepackaged rendang is sent as food aid relief for natural disaster survivors in Indonesia. Rendang is rich in spices. Along with the main meat ingredient, rendang uses coconut milk and a paste of mixed ground spices, including ginger, galangal, turmeric leaves, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, chillis and other spices. This spice mixture is called pemasak in Minangkabau. The spices, garlic, shallot, ginger and galangal used in rendang have antimicrobial properties and serve as natural organic preservatives. Although some culinary experts describe rendang as a curry, the dish is usually not considered as such in Indonesia or Malaysia since it is richer and contains less liquid than is normal for curries. Traditionally the term rendang does not refer to a certain type of dish. The verb merendang actually refers to a method of slow cooking; continuously churning the ingredients in a pot or frying pan, on a small fire, until all of the liquids evaporate and the meat is well done. Traditional Padang rendang takes hours to cook. Cooking rendang involves pounding and grinding ingredients as well as slow cooking, and so is time-consuming and requires patience. The meat pieces are slowly cooked in coconut milk and spices until almost all the liquid is gone, allowing the meat to become tender and absorb the condiments. The cooking process changes from boiling to frying, as the liquid evaporates and the coconut milk turns to coconut oil. Cooking the meat until tender with almost all the liquid evaporated requires great care, keeping it from getting burnt. Because of its generous use of numerous spices, rendang is known for having a complex and unique taste. Rendang is often served with steamed rice, ketupat (a compressed rice cake) or lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes), accompanied with vegetable side dishes such as boiled cassava leaf, cubadak (young jackfruit gulai), cabbage gulai and lado (red or green chilli pepper sambal). Cooking process - merendang Azizah Ja'afar describes the cooking process of rendang (merendang) as involves simmering the meat in spiced coconut milk in an uncovered pot or pan until the coconut milk's oil separates and coats the meat, giving it a rich, glossy finish. With a slow fire and constant stirring, it takes around three hours for five kilograms of meat to reduce from a broth (when all the ingredients come together in a wok). From there, it requires an additional two hours before reaching the traditional rendang consistency. ==Types==
Types
Types of rendang in Malay Peninsula and Singapore Betty Yew's cookbook Rasa Malaysia, published in 1982, features 16 rendang recipes that highlight regional nuances. Rendang can be made with a variety of proteins, including buffalo, chicken, duck, mutton, venison, shellfish, birds, and grasshoppers. Popular regional variations include rendang kerbau (buffalo rendang) from Rembau Rendang tok, a specialty from Bukit Chandan, is a dry curry made with cubed beef, coconut milk, and a rich blend of spices such as cloves, star anise, cumin, cinnamon, chilies, and turmeric. It is enhanced with pan-toasted desiccated coconut and thin strips of coconut flesh, giving it a unique texture and aroma. The final dish is dark and intensely flavorful. Perak's rendang recipes also incorporate unique ingredients like forest fruits, including kelepong (a seasonal plant from the fig family). There is also rendang daging masak hitam that is commonly served at Malay weddings. This version stands out from other rendang dishes in the region because it's made without coconut milk, giving it a distinct flavor and appearance. Negeri Sembilan is known for two main types of rendang: rendang kuning (yellow rendang) and rendang hitam (black rendang). Both are cooked until completely dry. Rendang kuning shares ingredients with the region's signature dish, gulai kuning, such as cili api, turmeric, and coconut milk. In Negeri Sembilan, beef is less commonly used due to its higher water content, which makes it harder to achieve the desired dryness. A traditional recipe also features pucuk ubi (young tapioca leaves), cooked until the mixture is dry and the leaves turn a deep brown color. Rendang daun puding is a type of rendang kuning that incorporates daun puding while rendang kacang includes chicken organs and long beans for added flavor and texture. In Malacca, a fiery version called rendang cili api, made with bird's eye chilies, coconut milk, and spices, often features unique ingredients like cockles (rendang kerang). In Johor, the traditional rendang asli includes bird's eye chilies and thick soy sauce for a distinctive flavor profile. Basmah, a dish popular in Penang and Kedah, closely resembles rendang as it also uses coconut milk and toasted coconut gratings. However, it stands out for its use of a greater variety of fresh spices. The Kristang also has their version of dry beef curry. Types of rendang in West Sumatra Today, rendang is widely enjoyed beyond ceremonial settings and has become a popular souvenir in Padang. While traditionally made with buffalo meat or beef, rendang now features a variety of ingredients. These include chicken, which cooks faster and is more economical; duck, common in areas like Payakumbuh; goat meat, often enjoyed in Agam; and seafood options like shellfish and salted fish. Other creative versions include randang talua, made with tapioca flour and eggs, and shredded beef or chicken rendang, which resembles meat floss but with thicker fibers. In Minangkabau, randang is broadly categorized into two styles based on regional influences: randang darek and randang pasisia. These variations reflect the geographical and cultural diversity of the highland (darek) and coastal (pasisia) areas of West Sumatra. Each variation of Rendang highlights the versatility of its signature spices, adapting to the availability of ingredients across different regions. Randang darek focuses on long cooking times, smaller pieces, and a smoky flavor, while randang pasisia highlights spice richness, tenderness, and suitability as a daily dish. Both offer unique qualities that reflect their regional culinary traditions. ==Variations==
Variations
Indonesia Rendang is made from beef (or occasionally beef liver, chicken, duck, mutton, water buffalo, or vegetables like jackfruit or cassava). Chicken or duck rendang also contains tamarind and is usually not cooked for as long as beef rendang. The original Minangkabau rendang has two categories, rendang darek and rendang pesisir. Rendang darek (‘land rendang’) is an umbrella term for dishes from old regions in mountainous areas of the Minangkabau Highlands such as Batusangkar, Agam, Lima Puluh Kota, Payakumbuh, Padang Panjang and Bukittinggi. It mainly consists of beef, offal, poultry products, jackfruit, and many other vegetables and animal products that are found in these places. Rendang pesisir ('coastal rendang') is from the coastal regions of Minangkabau such as Pariaman, Padang, Painan and Pasaman. It mainly consists of seafood, although it is not unusual for it to include beef or water buffalo meat. Minangkabau Rendang variations: • Rendang ayam: chicken rendang, speciality of Batusangkar and Bukittinggi. • Rendang baluik (rendang belut): eel rendang, speciality of Solok. In the Solok dialect, it is also called ‘randang baluk’. • Rendang bilih (bilis): bilis fish rendang, specialty of Padang Panjang. In Sumatra, ikan bilis refers distinctly to Mystacoleucus padangensis, a small freshwater fish endemic to Sumatra. In other places, bilis might refer to sea anchovy instead. • Rendang cubadak (rendang nangka): unripe jackfruit rendang, speciality of Payakumbuh. • Rendang daging: meat rendang. The most common rendang is made from beef, but may also be from water buffalo, goat, mutton or lamb, speciality of Padang. • Rendang daun kayu (samba buruk): rendang made of various edible leaves, usually leaves of ubi kayu, jirak, mali, rambai, daun arbai, mixed with ikan haruan (snakehead fish), specialty of Payakumbuh. • Rendang daun pepaya: young papaya leaf rendang. • Rendang dendeng: Dendeng rendang, thinly sliced dried and fried beef cooked in rendang spice. Also can be made from readily available processed beef jerky. • Rendang gabus (rendang ikan haruan): Snakehead fish rendang, popular in Payakumbuh. • Rendang gadih, rendang tumbuk or rendang payakumbuh: Minced beef rendang, tumbuk or pounded beef shaped into balls mixed with coconut, specialty of Payakumbuh, West Sumatra. • Rendang itiak (rendang bebek): duck rendang, speciality of Bukittinggi and Payakumbuh. • Rendang jantung pisang: banana blossom rendang, speciality of Minangkabau. • Rendang kambing: goat meat redang. • Rendang lele: Catfish rendang. • Rendang limpa: offal rendang made of cattle spleen. • Rendang lokan (rendang tiram): marsh clam rendang, speciality of coastal Minangkabau regions such as Pariaman, Painan and Pesisir Selatan. • Rendang padang: Padang rendang commonly sold in Padang restaurants nationwide, dry rendang that uses lean fatless meat. • Rendang petai: stir fried petai and common green beans in rendang spices. • Rendang pucuak ubi (rendang daun singkong): cassava leaf rendang, speciality of Minangkabau. • Rendang rawit: an extra hot and spicy dried rendang spices mixed with dried cabai rawit (bird's eye chili). Not exactly a dish, but more a condiment akin to serundeng, bawang goreng or chili powder that sprinkled upon steamed rice or noodle. • Rendang rebung: rendang made of bamboo shoot. • Rendang runtiah (rendang suir): (lit: "shredded rendang") shredded beef or poultry rendang, speciality of Payakumbuh. • Rendang sapuluik itam (rendang pulut hitam): dough made of ground black sticky rice cooked and served in rendang spice, specialty of Simalanggang. • Rendang tahu: tofu rendang, a vegetarian variant that uses tofu beancurd instead of meat. • Rendang talua (rendang telur): egg rendang, speciality of Payakumbuh. • Rendang teri: anchovy rendang. • Rendang tongkol: mackerel tuna rendang, speciality of coastal Minangkabau regions. • Rendang tuna: tuna rendang. • Rendang tunjang (rendang kikil): rendang made of cartilage and tendons of cow's trotters. • Rendang ubi: made of ubi kayu or singkong (cassava). • Rendang usus: intestine rendang, made of offals; the intestines of either poultry or cattle. The cattle intestine rendang is quite similar with gulai tambusu, gulai iso or gulai usus. Rendang outside West Sumatra Today, rendang is quite widespread in Indonesia, mainly because of the proliferation of Padang restaurants, which caused rendang to become popular in Indonesian households of various ethnic backgrounds. This has led to the development of variants to accommodate regional preferences. For example, in Java, the rendang—aside from the Padang variety sold in Padang restaurants—tends to be wetter, slightly sweeter, and less spicy to accommodate Javanese tastes. Rendang variations outside by the Minangkabau: • Rendang kelinci: rabbit meat rendang, popular in Aceh. • Rendang babi: pork rendang, the adaptation of rendang by non-Muslim population of Indonesia. Usually consumed in Christian-majority Batak region of North Sumatra and Hindu-majority island of Bali. In Bali, the popularity of rendang has led to this adaptation, since some Balinese Hindus do not consume beef. • Rendang jawa: Javanese adoption of Minang rendang, which is more soft and moist suited to Javanese taste, usually rather sweet and less spicy compared to Sumatran rendang. Outside of Indonesia, rendang is also known in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, southern Thailand, and the southern Philippines as well as in the Netherlands, Australia, Taiwan, Belgium, and New Zealand. In Malaysia Rendang has a long history in Malaysia with distinct versions unique to individual Malaysian states. The different versions of rendang use different ingredients for the spice mix, resulting in differing flavors to the meat. • Rendang ayam: chicken rendang. • Rendang ayam goreng: fried chicken rendang. The popularity of this rendang skyrocketed mainly due to the "rendangate" controversy in 2018. • Rendang daging or Rendang Rembau: dark, woody coloured meat rendang. Traditionally made using water buffalo meat. These days, beef is commonly used instead. • Rendang daging hitam: Kicap manis-based black-coloured beef rendang, a specialty of Sarawak. • Rendang dendeng: thinly sliced dried meat rendang. • Rendang ikan: fish rendang. • Rendang ikan pari: stingray rendang, a specialty of Perak. • Rendang itik: duck rendang, a specialty of Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak. In Sarawak, the duck is roasted first so that the meat is soft and not sticky. In Negeri Sembilan, the duck is preferred to be smoked first. • Rendang puyuh: quail rendang. • Rendang kupang: mussels rendang. • Rendang rusa: venison rendang. • Rendang udang: prawn rendang, a specialty of Perak. • Rendang kambing: goat rendang. • Rendang kerang: cockle rendang. Commonly served as a side dish for nasi lemak. • Rendang ketam: crab rendang. • Rendang kijing: kijing, a type of shellfish, cooked with rendang spices. • Rendang telur: boiled egg rendang. • Rendang kunyit or rendang Kuala Pilah or rendang kuning: yellow-hued rendang, uses fresh turmeric, lemongrass, and coconut milk but with no onion added at all. • Rendang landak: porcupine rendang, an exotic meat rendang, a specialty of Sekinchan, Selangor. • Rendang babi: pork rendang. Non-halal rendang that is eaten only by the Chinese and Peranakan community in Malaysia. • Rendang lengkuas or nasu likku: galangal-based rendang, a specialty of Bugis people in Sabah. Two versions exist in Sabah, wet and dry; both are considered rendang in Malaysia. • Rendang lokan: lokan rendang, a specialty of Sungai Petani, Kedah. • Rendang berempah: spice rendang. Emphasizes the abundance of spices in the rendang. • Rendang paru: beef lung rendang. • Rendang daun maman: vegetable rendang made from braised Cleome gynandra (maman) leaves, specialty of Gemencheh, Negeri Sembilan, • Rendang daun pegaga: vegetable rendang made from pegaga leaf. • Rendang daun puding: vegetable rendang made from the edible leaves of the garden croton, a speciality of Negeri Sembilan. • Rendang daun ubi kayu: vegetable rendang made from cassava leaf. • Rendang jantung pisang: banana blossom rendang. • Rendang serundeng: dry meat floss, derived from rendang. It has a long shelf-life and needs no refrigeration, a specialty of Kelantan. • Rendang Minang: originated from the Minangkabau people who settled in Negeri Sembilan during the 16th century, but has since evolved from the Sumatran rendang version of the recipe. • Rendang cili api or Rendang Negeri Sembilan or Rendang hijau: greenish-hued rendang, uses cili api instead of red chili that is normally used in other rendang versions, a specialty of Negeri Sembilan. • Rendang Tok: dry beef rendang created by the royal cooks of Perak, incorporates spices that were typically inaccessible to the general population. • Rendang Pahang or opor daging: dark red meat stew cooked with rich spice mix. • Rendang Perak: simpler version of Rendang Tok, a specialty of Perak. • Rendang Rawa: Rawa version of rendang, less complicated in terms of ingredients. • Rendang Kedah: reddish-hued rendang, incorporates the use of red sugar, turmeric leaves, kaffir lime leaves due to the Thai influence on the state cuisine, a specialty of Kedah. • Rendang Kelantan/Terengganu or kerutuk daging: slow-cooked meat mixed with a unique spice known as kerutub, coconut milk, kerisik and some palm sugar. • Rendang Sabah: uses white cumin to replace cinnamon and cloves, a specialty of Sabah. • Rendang Sarawak: incorporates the use of turmeric leaves, a specialty of Sarawak. • Rendang Siam: Malay-Siamese version of rendang, incorporates the use of Thai inspired ingredients. Others In the Netherlands The Dutch are familiar with rendang through colonial ties and often serve the wet kalio version in the Netherlands—usually as part of a rijsttafel. Indonesian dishes, including rendang, are served in numbers of Indonesian restaurants in Dutch cities, especially The Hague, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. In the Philippines In the Philippines, rendang is most commonly associated with the cuisine of the Muslim Maranao people of Mindanao. It differs from the Indonesian versions in the use of the native spice mix palapa as well as the addition of muscovado sugar. Fusion rendang convenience store in Jakarta Rendang bumbu is sometimes used as the base of other fusion dishes. Some chefs in Indonesian sushi establishments, for example, have developed a Japanese-Indonesian fusion cuisine with recipes for krakatau roll, gado-gado roll, rendang roll and gulai ramen. Several chefs and food industries have experimented with fusing rendang with sandwiches, burgers and spaghetti. Burger King at one time served a rendang-flavoured burger in their Singapore and Indonesia chains for a limited promotion period. Spaghetti with rendang could also be found in 7-Eleven convenience stores across Indonesia. Rendang is also a popular flavour in Indonesian instant noodle variants, such as Indomie Goreng Rendang. Most recently, there were Taiwanese baozis with rendang fillings sold at Neo Soho Mall in West Jakarta. ==See also==
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