A nasi kapau foodstall usually consists of stages and rows of large bowls, plates or saucepans filled with various dishes. In nasi kapau food stalls, after the customer is seated, they are asked which dishes they desire. The waiter then prepared steaming hot rice on plate with cubadak (unripe jackfruit gulai), and boiled cassava leaf, and sambal aside.[2] The chosen dishes will be put directly — using long serving spoon — upon the steamed rice or in separate small plates. Nasi kapau eating establishments usually insist on using high quality fragrant rice. High quality Kapau rice directly brought from Bukittinggi and Agam Regency.[1]
In Minang food establishments, it is common to eat with one's hands. They usually provide kobokan, a bowl of tap water with a slice of lime in it to give a fresh scent. This water is used to wash one's hands before and after eating. If a customer does not wish to eat with bare hands, it is acceptable to ask for a spoon and fork.
Nasi kapau dishes are actually quite similar or almost identical with nasi padang from Padang city. The differences mainly lies in the method of serving, and sometimes there are some typical Kapau Bukittinggi dishes that seldom served in common Padang restaurant. The dishes offered in nasi kapau are:
Rendang, chunks of beef stewed in spicy coconut milk and chili gravy, cooked well until dried. Other than beef, rendang ayam (chicken rendang) and rendang itik (duck rendang) can be found.
