Lemang is one of Indonesia's traditional foods, especially popular in Sumatra and several areas in Kalimantan. Lemang is made from sticky rice cooked with coconut milk, then wrapped in bamboo and cooked by baking. Its savory taste and chewy texture make lemang a very popular dish, especially during big events such as Eid, celebrations, or traditional events.

Here is how to make lemang that is simple and easy to follow, so you can try making it at home.

Ingredients for Making Lemang:
500 grams of white sticky rice
1 liter of coconut milk (from 1 coconut)
1 teaspoon of salt
2-3 bamboo sticks (to wrap and bake lemang)
Banana leaves (to coat the bamboo, optional)
Sufficient water 
Steps for Making Lemang:
1. Prepare Bamboo and Banana Leaves
Bamboo: Choose long and large bamboo with holes wide enough to accommodate sticky rice. Cut the bamboo into pieces about 30-40 cm in size. If the bamboo still has leaves, make sure to clean it first. Kakek Merah
Banana Leaves: Cut banana leaves into pieces that are the right size to wrap the bamboo. The banana leaves will help coat the bamboo and give the lemang a distinctive aroma.
2. Wash and Soak the Glutinous Rice
Wash the glutinous rice thoroughly to remove dirt and flour residue. After that, soak the glutinous rice in water for about 4-6 hours or overnight so that the glutinous rice becomes softer when cooked.
3. Prepare Coconut Milk
Boil the coconut milk with a little salt. Stir the coconut milk over medium heat until boiling. Make sure not to let the coconut milk split or boil for too long so that the savory taste of the coconut milk is maintained. Once boiling, remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. Mix the Glutinous Rice with Coconut Milk
Drain the soaked glutinous rice, then mix it with the cooked coconut milk. Stir well until the glutinous rice is evenly submerged in the coconut milk. Let stand for a while so that the glutinous rice absorbs the coconut milk well.
5. Put the Sticky Rice into the Bamboo
Take the prepared bamboo. Line the inside of the bamboo with banana leaves, if you are using banana leaves.
Fill the bamboo with sticky rice that has been mixed with coconut milk, press it down a little so that the rice is not too loose in the bamboo. Do not fill the bamboo too full, give a little space so that the lemang can expand when cooked.
6. Close the End of the Bamboo
After the bamboo is filled with sticky rice, close the end of the bamboo with cut banana leaves or you can also use young coconut leaves. This is to keep the sticky rice from coming out when baked.
7. Grill the Lemang
Prepare a fire that is not too big, you can use hot coals or charcoal. Place the bamboo that has been filled with sticky rice over the fire, then grill while turning it periodically so that all sides of the bamboo are evenly cooked.

Grill the lemang for about 2 to 3 hours. This grilling process requires patience, because the lemang must be grilled slowly so that it is perfectly cooked and does not burn. Make sure to turn the bamboo occasionally so that the lemang is evenly cooked on all sides.
8. Check the Lemang's Doneness
After 2-3 hours, check whether the lemang is cooked by inserting a bamboo skewer or toothpick into it. If the bamboo skewer comes out clean, it means the lemang is perfectly cooked.
9. Remove and Serve
Once cooked, remove the lemang from the heat and let it sit for a while so that it is not too hot when cut.
Cut the lemang into small pieces, and serve with other side dishes, such as rendang, chicken, or grilled fish to enjoy the perfect traditional taste.
Additional Tips:
If you have trouble finding bamboo, you can use a baking sheet or can to replace the bamboo in the baking process. Although the taste is slightly different, you can still enjoy lemang in a practical way.
Lemang can also be combined with various sauces or chili sauces according to taste, providing a more diverse variety of flavors.
For a variety of flavors, you can add pandan leaves to the coconut milk used to soak the sticky rice, so that the lemang has a more fragrant aroma.
Conclusion
Lemang is a dish rich in flavor, presenting a savory combination of coconut milk and chewy sticky rice baked in a traditional way. Although the method of making it is quite simple, patience in the baking process is very important to produce evenly cooked and delicious lemang. You can enjoy lemang as a main dish or as a delicious snack when gathering with family and friends. Good luck!