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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.
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.
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.
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!
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
Video
📖 Recipe
Net Pancake (Roti Jala)
Video
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
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
The nutrition facts provided are an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Norizan says
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.
Irene of LHC, AZ (USA) says
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?
Bea says
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
Irene says
you bet!
paul says
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.
Bea says
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!