NASI LEMAK ORIGINATES FROM THE BANJAR LANGUAGE
By: Hamly Hadi
(History Observer)
As we all know, the Malay language originates from the Banjar language, so many Malay terms originate from the Banjar language, one of which is the term “nasi lemak.”
Nasi Lemak comes from the Banjar language, “nasi balamak,” which means rice with coconut milk, cooked using coconut milk.
In the Banjar language, “lamak” refers to a dish that becomes savory and thick due to the addition of coconut milk. Nasi balamak refers to rice cooked with coconut milk.
The term “nasi balamak” was adopted by the Malay language as “nasi lemak.”
Banjarmasin, January 9, 2026
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