Seri Menanti is a town, a mukim and a state assembly constituency in the Kuala Pilah District, in central Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. It is the royal town of the state of Negeri Sembilan and houses the seat of the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan or Yamtuan Besar, the ruler of the state of Negeri Sembilan. The royal palace is known as "Istana Besar". Luak Tanah Mengandung is part of Seri Menanti.
The Minangkabaus moved to the wider area of Negeri Sembilan during the 14th century. Around the 15th century they moved further inland from Rembau and explored the Seri Menanti area. Among the explorers was Datuk Puteh of Pagar Ruyung. According to legend, they found three stalks of fresh green paddy and thus Datuk Puteh christened the area Padi Menanti (literally awaiting paddy). Over time the name changed to Seri Menanti. It is believed that the word "seri" means the Goddess of rice in the ancient Javanese tradition
(in Javanese: Sri).
Raja Melewar arrived in Negeri Sembilan in 1773, installed and proclaimed as the first Yamtuan Besar in Kampung Penajis in Rembau. He later moved his palace to Seri Menanti which remains the royal town of Negeri Sembilan.