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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Roti cane)

Roti canai / roti prata
Roti canai or roti prata is usually served with either curry, dal, or chilli as dipping sauce
Alternative names
  • Roti cane
  • roti chanai
  • roti konde
  • roti maryam
  • roti prata
  • roti parotta
  • crisp pulled flatbread
TypeFlatbread
CourseMain course, usually for breakfast
Region or stateSoutheast Asia
Associated cuisineBrunei,[1] Indonesia,[2] Malaysia,[3] Singapore,[4] and Thailand[5]
Created bySouth Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia[6]
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsFlour
VariationsRoti tissue, murtabak
Food energy
(per serving)
302[7] kcal (1,260 kJ)
  •  Wikimedia Commons logo Media: Roti canai / roti prata
Breakfast culture in Malaysia: dining experience in a multi-ethnic society
Black-and-white image of a man wearing a regional Islamic cap, flipping a sheet of dough on a steel plate, with several balls of similar doughs on the side
A roti canai maker flipping the bread
CountryMalaysia
Reference02113
RegionAsia and the Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription2024 (19th session)
ListRepresentative

Roti canai (/tʃa'naj/), or roti prata (in Singapore), also known as roti chanai and roti cane, is an unleavened flatbread of Indian origin found in the cuisines of Southeast Asia, especially those of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.[8] It is typically accompanied by dal or various forms of curry,[9][10] although it can also be prepared in an array of sweet or savoury adaptations utilising diverse components like meat, eggs, or cheese and dipped in condensed milk as well as paired with mee goreng.[11][12][13] It was nominated to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List of food and drinks in 2024 by Malaysia, where it was subsequently listed.[14][15]

Etymology

[edit]

Roti canai is attested in Malay since at least 1970.[16] Roti is borrowed from the Sanskrit "रोटिका" (roṭikā), meaning "bread" in English.[17][18] Canai probably comes from the Malay word "canai", which carries the meaning "to roll dough thinly".[8] Less likely theories suggest that the name comes from the Indian city of Chennai or from the Hindi chana, meaning "chickpea" or "chickpea stew", which it often accompanies.[12][18][19][20] This traditional Indian-derived food is popular throughout Southeast Asia under various names.[21] In Singapore, the dish is known as roti prata, from the Indian paratha or parotta.[4][22] Within Indonesia, the dish is either referred to as roti cane, roti konde, or roti maryam.[2][23]

History and background

[edit]

Since being introduced to Southeast Asia around the 19th century, roti canai has become a popular breakfast and snack dish and is one of the most common South Indian foods in the region.[24] It is said that Indians brought the dish during the era of British Malaya,[3] where it was served in street mamak stalls located in both rural and urban areas.[25][21] Within Southeast Asia, it can often be found in settlements that have populations of Indian descent, especially in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, and Thailand.[26] It has also been theorised that the dish had been introduced by Indian traders to the Indonesian province of Aceh, in northern Sumatra, in the 17th century, under the name roti cane, from where it spread throughout the Dutch East Indies by the early 19th century.[27] It can nowadays be found in various parts of Indonesia, especially in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Riau, where the Indian Indonesian community is concentrated.[23][27][28][29] Singapore and Malaysia, which split in 1965, both claim it as a speciality of local cuisine.[30] In 2024, Malaysia successfully nominated it, along with nasi lemak and teh tarik, for United Nations recognition as [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|intangible cultural heritage].[14][15]

Regional variations

[edit]

Plain roti is often referred to as roti kosong ("empty bread" in the Malay language).[24] Traditionally, roti canai is served with dal (lentil) curry but may also be eaten with the following types of curries:[31][32]

  • Kari ayam – chicken curry[33][34]
  • Kari daging – beef curry[34]
  • Kari kambing – mutton curry[34][35][36]
  • Kari ikan – fish curry (mostly served with stingray)[34][37]
  • Kari campur – mixed curry[38]
  • Kari kacang kuda – chickpea curry[34]

Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore

[edit]
Roti tisu in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia
Roti sardin (sardine-stuffed roti)
Singapore-style plain roti prata (left) and egg prata (centre), with a bowl of chicken curry on the side

Different types of roti canai are served in Brunei and Malaysia:

  • Murtabak, a very thick roti filled with a mixture of egg, meat, onions, and spices.[31] In Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore, it is usually prepared on a griddle like roti canai, but in Indonesia, it is often deep-fried in a wok.[39][40] In Thailand, it is called mataba.[41][42] In Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, murtabak is made using the same dough used for roti canai and on the same equipment, in the same stalls.[43] Most murtabak in Malaysia tends to have less minced meat and more egg than Singaporean or Johorean variants.[44] Murtabak cheese is a variation, with added mozzarella cheese[45]
  • Roti telur, with an egg (telur) stuffing[46]
  • Roti jantan, roti telur with two-egg stuffing[47]
  • Roti bawang, with onion (bawang) stuffing[48]
  • Roti telur bawang, with eggs and onions[49][50]
  • Roti boom (or bom; 'bomb bread'), a smaller but thicker roti, with the dough wound in a spiral. It is served with sugar and margarine, or with curry[51]
  • Roti planta, stuffed with margarine (often Planta brand) and sugar[51]
  • Roti sardin, stuffed with canned sardine, with or without egg, and sometimes mixed with ketchup or sambal, similar to murtabak[50]
  • Roti pisang, stuffed with sliced bananas (pisang)[50]
  • Roti sayur, stuffed with shredded or sliced vegetables
  • Roti salad, raw shredded vegetables rolled up with a piece of roti[51]
  • Roti tisu, a tissue-paper-thin and flaky roti, usually with sprinkled sugar and condensed milk. Also called roomali roti, from roomal (Hindi, meaning "handkerchief")[50]
  • Roti kaya, with kaya spread[51]
  • Roti maggi, stuffed with prepared instant noodles, usually Maggi brand[47]
  • Roti cheese, stuffed with cheese[50]
  • Roti milo, stuffed with Milo powder[51]
  • Roti cobra, served with chicken curry and a piece of fried egg on top. Most commonly found in East Malaysia, especially in Sabah[52]
  • Roti banjir ("flooded roti"), usually chopped into pieces, with curry poured over the top[47]
  • Roti tsunami, roti banjir with added sambal and soft-boiled eggs[47]
  • Roti Doll ("Doll's roti"), roti banjir with added sambal and a fried egg on top.[53] Most commonly found in northern Malaysia, especially in the town of Alor Setar, Kedah.[54]
  • Roti Sarang Burung ("bird's nest roti"), roti cooked in a doughnut shape with a fried egg in the hole, similar to egg in the basket and khachapuri[55][56]
  • Roti prata in Singapore and southern Malaysia, a fried flatbread cooked over a flat grilling pan. It is usually served with sugar or a vegetable- or meat-based curry and is also commonly cooked with cheese, onions, bananas, red beans, chocolate, mushrooms, or eggs.[57]
  • Roti tampal or roti plaster (in Singapore): the roti is plastered on one side with egg, with the yolk left runny or totally cooked[47]

Indonesia

[edit]
Roti cane served with mutton and potato curry in an Acehnese restaurant

Roti cane is thought to have come to Indonesia via Muslim Indian migration to the Aceh Sultanate, in the northern parts of Sumatra, around the 17th century,[23][28][29][58] and later to the rest of the Dutch East Indies, in the early 19th century.[59] It has since been adopted into the Malay, Acehnese, and Minangkabau cuisine of Sumatra. Consequently, there are Malay, Acehnese, and Minangkabau restaurants serving the dish with mutton curry that are operated by ethnic groups other than Indians.[59] Two types of popular roti cane dishes include sweet roti cane, served with various toppings such as cheese, chocolate sprinkles, and chocolate syrup; and savoury roti cane, served with curry sauce.[60] In Indonesia, roti cane is often associated with Acehnese cuisine, despite its Indian origin.[61]

In Ampel, an Arab quarter in Surabaya, the dish is known as roti maryam,[62] while the Javanese call it roti konde, after its shape, which resembles a hairbun (Javanese: konde). Despite having different names, each variant is derivative of the Indian paratha and is similar in preparation.[2] Indian-influenced roti is typically served with Mutton curry.[59]

Thailand

[edit]
Thai-style roti thitchu, served with a Muslim-style beef curry

In Thailand, roti (with variations on spelling such as ro tee) is commonly available from street carts, usually halal, sold by Thai Malay Muslims.[42] Roti thitchu (Thai for "tissue") is Thai roti canai that is fluffed up by clapping it between two hands inside a dry cloth after frying, and served with a Thai Muslim-style beef curry.[63] In some parts of Thailand, roti is also commonly eaten with mango, banana, sugar, condensed milk, jam, peanut butter, or Nutella, although plain egg roti is also available.[5][43]

Preparation

[edit]

Roti canai is a flatbread made from unleavened dough that is composed of fat (usually ghee), flour, and water;[32] some recipes also include sweetened condensed milk. The dough is repeatedly kneaded, flattened, oiled, and folded, creating layers.[32] The dough ball is then flattened, spread out until paper-thin (usually by "tossing" it on a flat surface), and gathered into a long rope-like mass.[32] This "rope" is then wound into a knot or spiral and flattened, so that it consists of thin flakes of dough when cooked.[32] When making varieties with fillings, the fillings (eggs, chopped onions, etc.) are spread or sprinkled on the thin sheet of dough, which is then folded with the fillings inside.[43]

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Brunei Food: Colourful Roti Canai". Thanis Lim. 2 March 2016. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Roti Maryam/Roti Konde/Roti Cane". Indonesia Eats. 26 February 2008. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 Loh, Yi Jun (22 May 2019). "The Indian Roti That Became Malaysia's National Bread". Taste Cooking. Archived from the original on 21 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  4. 1 2 Balamururgan, Anasuya (11 October 2016). "Roti prata". National Library Board. Singapore. Archived from the original on 12 January 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  5. 1 2 LT (8 February 2021). "นางลิ้นจี่โรตีไทย ร้านโรตีใบเตยสูตรลับเฉพาะ ตำนานคิวยาว 33 ปีย่านนางลิ้นจี่" [Nang Linchee Thai Roti: A legendary roti (flatbread) shop in the Nang Linchee area with a secret recipe and long queues for 33 years]. Ryoii (in Thai). Archived from the original on 12 March 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Singh, Mehr (18 October 2023). "How South Indian Immigrants Shaped Malaysian Cuisine". The Juggernaut. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Roti Canai". Fat Secret, Australia. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  8. 1 2 "roti canai, n." Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  9. ↑ "Vegetarian diet for longer life". New Straits Times. 16 November 1993. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  10. ↑ Fernandez, Doreen G. (12 July 2001). "Indian landscape". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  11. ↑ Harun, Hisham (18 March 1994). "Misa finds recipe for success". New Straits Times. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  12. 1 2 Thiessen 2008, p. 69.
  13. ↑ Alkaf 2026, p. 23.
  14. 1 2 Ahmad Anis, Nur Arina (19 February 2024). "Raikan Budaya Sarapan Malaysia sempena pencalonannya bagi senarai warisan UNESCO" [Celebrate Malaysia's Breakfast Culture in conjunction with its nomination for UNESCO heritage list]. Mediacorp (in Malay). Archived from the original on 19 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Malaysia's UNESCO breakfast culture". Asian Trails. 27 January 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  16. ↑ Sahni, Toshita (13 December 2023). "Did You Know That Malaysian Roti Canai, the World's Second-Best Dish of 2023, Has Indian Origins?". NDTV Food. Archived from the original on 11 December 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  17. ↑ "Roti". TasteAtlas. Archived from the original on 21 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  18. 1 2 Yip, Lynnett (29 February 2020). "What is roti canai, and why can't people in Southeast Asia get enough of it?". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  19. ↑ van Wijnen, Ben. "Roti Canai (Malay Recipe)". Malaysia Site. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  20. ↑ Nik Hussin, Nik Syuhailah (17 September 2025). "Kisah di Sebalik kepingan Roti Canai" [The Story Behind Roti Canai Slices]. Institute of Language and Literature, Malaysia (in Malay). Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  21. 1 2 Chen et al. 2023, p. 52.
  22. ↑ Koh, Aun (23 June 2008). "Roti Prata". Words Without Borders. Archived from the original on 11 September 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  23. 1 2 3 "Mengenal Asal Usul Roti Canai Yang Populer Di Wilayah Asia Tenggara" [Understanding the Origins of Roti Canai, a Popular Dish in Southeast Asia]. Timurasa (in Indonesian). 21 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 July 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  24. 1 2 Krich, John (31 July 2009). "Roti Canai". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  25. ↑ "Mamak culture in Malaysia: More than just supper spots". Touch 'n Go MY. 9 September 2025. Archived from the original on 21 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "Roti canai". TasteAtlas. Archived from the original on 21 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  27. 1 2 "Roti Canai: Apa Itu, Asal Usul Sejarahnya, Cara Mengkonsumsi dan Resep Praktis" [Roti Canai: What It Is, Its Origins, How to Eat It, and a Practical Recipe]. Rotte Bakery (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 21 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  28. 1 2 Novita, Cicik (25 February 2022). "Resep Roti Canai dan Cara Membuatnya yang Dapat Dicoba di Rumah" [Roti Canai Recipe and How to Make It That You Can Try at Home]. Tirto (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 21 July 2026. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  29. 1 2 Adriansyah, Taufiq Dali (30 July 2023). "Resep Membuat Roti Canai, Makanan Khas Aceh yang Paling Cocok Temani Sarapan Pagi" [Recipe for Making Roti Canai, an Acehnese Specialty Perfect for Breakfast]. Harian Haluan (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "No, they're not the same: Roti prata vs. Roti canai". TasteAtlas. 12 September 2023. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  31. 1 2 Richmond & Albiston 2017, p. 399.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 Andrews, Olivia (11 April 2021). "Roti canai". SBS Food (Australia). Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  33. ↑ Dahl 1999, p. 46.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 Keran (30 June 2023). "[Watch] Londoners Queue for a Taste of Malaysia's Roti Canai at Roti King". The Rakyat Post. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  35. ↑ Bhattacharyya 1994, p. 64.
  36. ↑ Coombes 2017, p. 263.
  37. ↑ Cook 1995, p. 24.
  38. ↑ Ledesma, Lewis & Savage 1997, p. 50.
  39. ↑ Verass, Sophie (1 November 2016). "Sweet or savoury: Martabak is Indonesian street food's finest". SBS Food (Australia). Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  40. ↑ Khang Yi, Lee (11 December 2024). "Martabak Bangka 66 brings savoury and sweet Indonesian style 'martabak' to Taman Tun Dr Ismail". The Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  41. ↑ "Roti Mataba". Thai Food Guide. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  42. 1 2 Sufinas (9 July 2026). "14 Must-Try Muslim-Friendly Street Food in Bangkok". Have Halal Will Travel. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  43. 1 2 3 Danhi, Robert. "Crisp Pulled Flatbread" (PDF). Rasa Malaysia. p. 286. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 April 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  44. ↑ Singkee, Merzsam (11 March 2025). "Price versus quality—Why Johor's murtabak is worth the hype". The Independent SG. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  45. ↑ "Mini Murtabak Dan Keju (Anchor)" [Mini Murtabak and Cheese (Anchor)]. rasa.my (in Malay). 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  46. ↑ "Roti telur". TasteAtlas. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  47. 1 2 3 4 5 Khor, Samantha (28 May 2015). "Roti Tsunami, Roti Jantan, and Other Roti's That Will Change Your Mamak Trips... Forever". Says.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  48. ↑ "Roti bawang". TasteAtlas. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  49. ↑ "Roti Telur Bawang". Q Bistro. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  50. 1 2 3 4 5 "The 10 types of roti you'll find at the mamak". Time Out Kuala Lumpur. 27 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  51. 1 2 3 4 5 Hani, Nurul (20 January 2021). "27 Jenis Roti Canai Yang Wajib Anda Cuba & Pesan" [27 Types of Roti Canai You Must Try & Order]. Saji.my (in Malay). Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  52. ↑ Farisha (12 April 2025). "Roti Cobra, Sarapan Di Sabah Yang Perlu Anda Cuba" [Roti Cobra, a Breakfast in Sabah That You Must Try]. ILoveBorneo.my (in Malay). Archived from the original on 13 April 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  53. ↑ Magenthiran, Lavanyah. "Roti Doll: The Savory and Flaky Delight of Malaysia". Munch Malaysia. Archived from the original on 21 April 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  54. ↑ Nurul Liyana, Siti Sarah (1 February 2024). "Roti doll penambat selera sarapan" [Roti doll to whet your appetite for breakfast]. Kosmo! (in Malay). Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  55. ↑ Devadas, Yukeshwaran (6 November 2020). "We Tried the Roti Canai Sarang Burung and Here's What We Think". Gempak. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  56. ↑ Khang Yi, Lee (3 June 2024). "Bored with plain 'roti canai'? Try the snazzy 'roti sarang burung' from KL's Rumah Kuning". The Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  57. ↑ "Inilah Cara Membuat Roti Prata Singapore Yang Mudah" [Here's How to Make Easy Singaporean Roti Prata]. Toko Mesin Maksindo (in Indonesian). 14 October 2017. Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  58. ↑ Rinaldi, M Yon (17 November 2020). "Martabak Faliel Hadirkan Menu Khas Melayu Berkultur India, Ada Roti Cane Berbagai Topping" [Martabak Faliel Presents a Malay Dish with Indian Culture, Including Roti Cane with Various Toppings]. Tribun Jambi (in Malay). Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  59. 1 2 3 Pertiwi F, Ni Luh Made (2 April 2013). "Roti Cane dan Kari Kambing, Pasangan Sejati Nan Lezat" [Roti Cane and Goat Curry, the True Pair of Delicious Nan]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  60. ↑ Rahma, Imelda (13 June 2022). "Mengenal Asal Usul Pembuatan Roti Canai Beserta Resepnya" [Understanding the Origins of Roti Canai and Its Recipe]. Fimela (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  61. ↑ Sy, Zulfikar (18 June 2018). "Roti Canai, Kue Paling Dicari Penyuka Kuliner Aceh" [Roti Canai, the Most Sought-After Kue by Acehnese Culinary Lovers]. Merah Putih (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  62. ↑ "Ramadan di Kampung Ampel, Roti Maryam Paling Diburu" [Ramadan in Ampel Village, Roti Maryam is the Most Sought After]. Detik News (in Indonesian). 18 July 2014. Archived from the original on 21 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  63. ↑ "Sometimes, We're Just Too Lazy for a Mamak Trip to Enjoy the World's Best Bread, Roti Canai. Here's How You Can Solve That Problem". Kawan Food. 21 September 2023. Archived from the original on 22 July 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026 – via Weird Kaya.

Bibliography

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Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Roti_canai&oldid=1366625447"