Rendang
A slow-cooked dry curry of beef (or chicken) braised in a spice paste and coconut milk, cooked until all liquid evaporates and the coconut caramelizes onto the meat. A Minangkabau dish from Sumatra, now a staple of Malaysian cuisine.
Allergen data cross-referenced against published allergen databases.
Your dietary restrictions
The full allergen breakdown is below. Select your restrictions to see a personalized safety status.
Full allergen breakdown
Ingredients
- beef or chicken
- coconut milk (Tree Nut)
- kerisik (toasted coconut paste) (Tree Nut)
- lemongrass
- galangal
- turmeric leaf
- kaffir lime leaf
- chili
- candlenut (buah keras)
- garlic
- shallots
- ginger
Hidden Ingredients
These ingredients are not typically listed on menus but are present in traditional preparations.
- candlenut (buah keras) — a tree nut used as a thickener in the spice paste
- kerisik (toasted coconut paste) added late in cooking for texture
- coconut milk reduced into the meat
Allergen Breakdown
Dairy-Free
Likely OKUses coconut milk, not dairy.
Gluten-Free
Likely OKNo wheat or gluten ingredients in traditional rendang.
Peanut-Free
Likely OKNo peanuts in rendang.
Tree Nut-Free
Likely contains restrictionCandlenut (buah keras) is a tree nut used in the spice paste. Coconut milk and kerisik (toasted coconut) add two more coconut exposures.
Shellfish-Free
Likely OKNo shellfish in rendang. Belacan is not used in standard rendang.
Egg-Free
Likely OKNo eggs in rendang.
Fish-Free
Likely OKNo fish in rendang.
Soy-Free
Likely OKNo soy sauce in traditional rendang.
Sesame-Free
Likely OKNo sesame in rendang.
Vegetarian
Likely contains restrictionContains beef or chicken.
| Restriction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy-Free | Likely OK | Uses coconut milk, not dairy. |
| Gluten-Free | Likely OK | No wheat or gluten ingredients in traditional rendang. |
| Peanut-Free | Likely OK | No peanuts in rendang. |
| Tree Nut-Free | Likely contains restriction | Candlenut (buah keras) is a tree nut used in the spice paste. Coconut milk and kerisik (toasted coconut) add two more coconut exposures. |
| Shellfish-Free | Likely OK | No shellfish in rendang. Belacan is not used in standard rendang. |
| Egg-Free | Likely OK | No eggs in rendang. |
| Fish-Free | Likely OK | No fish in rendang. |
| Soy-Free | Likely OK | No soy sauce in traditional rendang. |
| Sesame-Free | Likely OK | No sesame in rendang. |
| Vegetarian | Likely contains restriction | Contains beef or chicken. |
Key risk: Rendang is one of the most allergen-dangerous dishes in Southeast Asia for people with tree nut allergies. Candlenut (buah keras / kemiri) is used as a thickener in the spice paste and is a true tree nut. Kerisik (toasted coconut) is pressed into the meat at the end. The dish has virtually no visual indicators of its tree nut content.
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Scan a menu nowImportant: Dish Scout is a reference guide, not medical advice. Traditional recipes vary by restaurant, region, and chef. Always verify ingredients with restaurant staff before ordering. When in doubt, don't eat it.