Hello Pulis, Beef Rendang Is Not Curry

Last time they told us that chicken rendang should be crispy… and now they’re telling us that it’s a type of curry. 

Photo: Rasa Malaysia

CNN recently came up with a list of 12 curry dishes around the world, and Malaysia together with Indonesia is ranked at number 5 with beef rendang as our “curry” dish. 

What exactly is curry? It's not a single spice, nor is it the curry tree (though the leaves are used in some dishes). Here's what it looks like in 12 places around the world: https://t.co/2oYaZgs4DJ pic.twitter.com/C3iOXZrczn

— CNN (@CNN) January 23, 2020

They posted the complete list on Twitter and explained that beef rendang is a type of dry curry, which led to many Malaysians and Indonesians correcting the American news channel. 

Most people stressed that rendang and curry are totally different dishes. 

AMERICAN will call everything made of spices CURRY!

In Malaysia, curry must have these common mixed spices (powdered); dried chili, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, tumeric etc.

Common known Rendang in Malaysia doesn’t have fennel seeds & coriander seeds powder in recipe

— Zaleha (@Lehahahanat) January 24, 2020

Malaysia has their own version of curry and they’re not rendang! in some places in malaysia they’re called ‘gulai’

— FHA (@chamomile114) January 24, 2020

Usually we will eat rendang with lemang or ketupat or ketupat palas or nasi impit (mini ketupat)
Usually rendang are made to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidilfitri( eid ul-fitr / eid Mubarak) after Ramadan (the fasting month) pic.twitter.com/xh0Vl4LwA9

— aqish (@balqis_atan) January 25, 2020

come on @CNN rendang is not curry come to Malaysia or Indonesia and use your 5 senses to know what is 'real' rendang are....and just for your info, rendang is not crispy

— iamcrazycowbear (@iamcrazycowbear) January 24, 2020

I can't stress this enough but Rendang is NOT curry
The Malay, Chinese, Peranakan and Indian communities in Malaysia all have their own rendition of curry but y'all decided to not use ANY of them and pull out a rendang wtfffff

— Aunty Xiumai for mini JD ❤️ (@Xiumaiii_chan) January 25, 2020

According to Culture Trip, rendang is a flavorful meat dish stewed with coconut milk and assorted spices including turmeric, lemongrass, galangal, ginger, shallots, chilis and garlic. 

When it comes to food, don’t make Malaysian angry ok! 

By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat