These small rice grains that we eat... they whisper forgotten stories. Tales relating to rice grains are diverse and varied, given that nasi or rice is a staple for most people in the world. In fact, 90 percent of rice is being grown and eaten by people in Asia. One of the many stories which we might have heard when we were young was likely to be about the crying rice grains. Every rice dish has its own story. How did it come about? What is in its name? Why use a particular ingredient? What makes the dish unique? This book tells the stories of 12 quintessentially Malay rice dishes, eaten and enjoyed by people in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

1. Cooking (Rice) ? Etymology. 2. Malay language ? Etymology. 3. Malays (Asian people) ? Social aspects. 4. Malays (Asian people) ? Social life and customs.