How Many Calories in Nasi Dagang?

East coast coconut rice with gulai ikan tongkol. The rice and the curry are both coconut rich, so it stacks up.

830kcal / 1 plate with gulai ikan tongkol

A plate of nasi dagang with gulai ikan tongkol is around 830 calories. The rice is steamed in coconut milk and the fish curry is coconut based too, so the fat stacks from both sides of the plate.

Nutrition facts

Per 1 plate with gulai ikan tongkol (430g)	Amount	Per 100g
Calories	830 kcal	193 kcal
Protein	35 g	8 g
Carbs	95 g	22 g
Fat	32 g	7 g

Where the calories come from

Coconut steamed rice250g

508 kcal

Gulai ikan tongkol150g

280 kcal

Acar + extra gravy30g

40 kcal

The real talk

Nasi dagang is a Terengganu and Kelantan breakfast legend, but it is a double coconut hit. The rice itself is steamed in santan, so it is already richer than plain rice at around 200 calories per 100g. Then it comes with gulai ikan tongkol, a coconut milk fish curry. Coconut rice plus coconut curry is why a plate lands around 830 calories with 32g of fat.

The official Malaysian food database actually puts the rice at 203 calories per 100g, so the rice anchor here is solid, not a guess. It is a delicious heavy breakfast. Eat it, enjoy it, just do not treat it as a light start to the day.

How the portions compare

560 kcal

Smaller portion

830 kcal

Standard plate

1300 kcal

Heavy plate (extra rice + gulai)

How to eat it lighter

Ask for less rice. The coconut rice is calorie dense before the curry even arrives.
Go easy on extra gravy ladled on top, that is more coconut and oil.
Pile on the acar (pickled vegetables) for volume and freshness.

Common questions

How many calories in nasi dagang?

A standard plate with gulai ikan tongkol is around 830 calories. The coconut-steamed rice is about 500 of that, with the coconut fish curry adding most of the rest.

Why is nasi dagang so high in calories?

It is a double coconut hit. The rice is steamed in coconut milk and the gulai fish curry is coconut based too, so fat stacks from both. The oily tuna adds more.

Is nasi dagang a healthy breakfast?

It is delicious but heavy, around 830 calories with 32g of fat. The fish gives good protein, but the coconut rice and coconut curry make it a treat breakfast rather than a light one.

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Calorie and macro figures are estimates for a typical hawker or kopitiam serving. Actual numbers vary by stall, recipe and portion size. Use them as a guide, not gospel.

New to all this? Read how I went from 128kg to 86kg without cutting rice →