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    El Mundo Eats » Flatbread

    Published: Aug 9, 2018 · Modified: Jun 30, 2021 by Bea & Marco · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Net Pancake (Roti Jala)

    Jump to Recipe
    net pancakes roti jala

    Malaysian Roti Jala or Net Pancakes

    Roti in Malay means bread but in this term it refers to pancake. Jala means net. So roti jala or net pancake literally means that due to the look of the pancake.

    The pancake is different from the typical pancake because of its net look. The roti jala is usually rolled into a log. Some also fold it into triangle.

    net pancakes roti jala

    This roti jala is a famous Malaysian snack and is often eaten for breakfast or tea. It's commonly served with chicken curry.

    Making It Abroad

    The tool to make this roti jala is an ordinary thing to find in Malaysia. It's a container with a handle on the side and the base of the container is with 5 holes.

    The way to use is, you place the container on a plate. This is to catch any batter oozing out from it. Then you pour the batter into the container, lift it on top of a pan and start swirling around, leaving a pattern of a net.

    folding roti jala

    You cook it until it's pale in color and then transfer it onto a plate. Fold each side to the center, forming a rectangle and then start rolling it into a log. Simple.

    The problem comes when you're not living in Malaysia, like me. The container is not sold in any store. So this is when we need to get inspired by MacGyver and improvise a bit.

    container for roti jala

    To make your own diy roti jala container is simple, really. Take a small water bottle or a yogurt container. Then poke some holes on its base, around 1 mm diameter. Don't make too many holes as that would ruin the net look. I would recommend around 5-7 holes, not more.

    Also remember don't make the holes too big as that would also ruin the net look.

    See? Living outside Malaysia doesn't mean we should deprive ourselves from this delicious roti jala just because we don't have the original tool!

    net pancake roti jala

    I remember enjoying this roti jala back in Malaysia with some chicken curry. Whenever my office organised an event or there was any makan-makan party going on, roti jala would never fail making it in the menu.

    My favourite way of eating this roti jala is with chicken curry. Yep, it has to be chicken curry else roti jala would not be complete.

    I hope you'd give this a try. It's simple, really. Let me know what you think.

    More Malaysian Breads

    • Malaysian flatbread (roti canai)
    • Stuffed flatbread (murtabak)

    Video

    net pancakes roti jala

    Net Pancake (Roti Jala)

    Roti jala or net pancake is a famous Malaysian snack that is usually eaten with chicken curry. It got its name for its net (jala) look. The batter is made out of simple ingredients.
    Author: Bea & Marco
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Servings: 15 pieces
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time10 mins

    Ingredients  

    • 1 cup all purpose flour (130 gr)
    • ¾ cup water (190 ml)
    • ½ cup coconut milk (125 ml)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 egg
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    The Batter

    • Add all of the ingredients into a bowl and whisk until well combined. Strain into a jar and leave it aside for 10 minutes.

    Cooking

    • Heat a few drops of oil in a pan on medium heat. Brush the oil evenly on the pan's surface.
    • Pour some batter in the pancake container (read in details in my post above). Swirl around on the pan, creating net looks. Cook until the pancake turns pale in color. Remove it onto a plate.
    • Fold both opposite side to the center, creating a rectangle. Then roll it into a log. Repeat the same until the batter is finished. Serve warm with chicken curry, enjoy!

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 49.2kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1.2g, Fat: 1.9g, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Cholesterol: 3.1mg, Sodium: 81.7mg, Potassium: 29.8mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 0.03g, Calcium: 3.8mg, Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @elmundoeats and tag #elmundoeats!

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Norizan says

      May 05, 2020 at 10:44 am

      I am so happy to find this recipe. I am myself living abroad with my family and missing Malaysian dishes very much especially during this Ramadan month. Will do it today.

      Thank you.

      Reply
    2. Irene of LHC, AZ (USA) says

      October 16, 2019 at 4:48 am

      5 stars
      So glad I found this thru your alfajores youtube video which I will make soon too! And now i do not need to visit this high end restaurant in Makati, Metro Manila (Philippines) when I get to visit my folks just to learn how to make their "net pancakes" as the wrapping for the (Filipino) fresh lumpia.

      Thank you for being out there in the world!♥♥♥ Btw, what are Moorish recipes have you made so far, if I may ask? Links please?

      Reply
      • Bea says

        October 17, 2019 at 8:44 am

        Awesome! I'm happy to hear that. You can browse for recipes by cuisines in my website under the recipes tab. Have fun and thank you so much Irene! XOXO

        Reply
        • Irene says

          October 23, 2019 at 8:29 pm

          you bet!

          Reply
    3. paul says

      May 04, 2019 at 9:01 pm

      5 stars
      excellent recipe and instructions like always. i made the container the macgyver way also. lol. very helpful.
      we really loved this new way of having pancakes. thank you.

      Reply
      • Bea says

        May 07, 2019 at 9:35 am

        Haha! Sometimes life needs to be improvised a bit. I'm excited to see that you're making my Asian recipes. Thank you so much Paul!

        Reply

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    Bea and Marco from El Mundo Eats

    Hi! We're Bea & Marco, the married couple behind this food space. I cook, he takes photos & videos. Malaysian & Argentine living in Spain. All eaters welcome!

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