Murtabak (Malaysian Stuffed Pan-Fried Flatbread with Spiced Beef and Egg)
Quick answer
Murtabak is a popular Malaysian pan-fried flatbread stuffed with spiced ground beef and egg.
What makes this special
- Murtabak features paper-thin dough folded around a hearty filling of curry-spiced beef and eggs.
- 30-minute rested dough stretched thin and folded square around filling
- Moisture reduced in curried beef filling to maintain a crispy shell
Key ingredients
Core cooking flow
- 1 Knead 200g flour with 110ml water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp oil for 8 minute...
- 2 Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, then stir-fry minced onion and 150g ground beef ov...
- 3 Season with 1 tsp curry powder and salt, stir well, turn off the heat, and c...
Murtabak is a popular Malaysian pan-fried flatbread stuffed with spiced ground beef and egg. The process begins by kneading wheat flour, water, salt, and oil to form a smooth dough, which is rested for thirty minutes to ensure it can be stretched thin. The filling is prepared by cooking ground beef and onion with curry powder until dry, which prevents the flatbread from becoming soggy. To assemble, the dough is stretched paper-thin with oiled hands, topped with the beef mixture, and a raw egg is added before folding the sides into a square. The flatbread is cooked in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat until both sides turn golden and crisp. The result is a multi-layered pastry with a crispy shell and a moist, savory core. It is cut into pieces and served with curry sauce or chutney.
Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Control
Knead 200g flour with 110ml water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp oil for 8 minutes until smooth, then cover with a damp cloth and rest for 30 minutes.
- 2Control
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, then stir-fry minced onion and 150g ground beef over medium heat for 5 minutes until the meat browns and moisture evaporates.
- 3Season
Season with 1 tsp curry powder and salt, stir well, turn off the heat, and cool for 5 minutes before adding the eggs to prevent scrambling.
- 4Step
Stretch the dough with oiled hands as thin as possible, place the meat filling in the center, crack in 1 egg, then fold all four sides to form a square parcel.
- 5Control
Cook in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat, pressing gently, for 3-4 minutes per side until both surfaces are golden and crispy.
- 6Finish
Transfer to a cutting board, cut into 4-6 pieces, and serve with chutney or curry sauce on the side.
After the steps
Pick a recipe that fits this dish.
Continue with shared ingredients, meal pairings, or a similar method.
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