lemiA “salad bowl” rather than a melting pot of cultures, Singapore is a diverse city-state known as one of the world’s top destinations
Nasi Lemak, No Going Back
Singapore
Malay in origin, Nasi Lemak is a dish that comprises of rice soaked and cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf. It is then served with a medley of side dishes, which usually includes sambal (Malaysian chili paste), ikan bilis (dried anchovy), peanuts, fried egg, and cucumber slices. Depending on who’s cooking, fried chicken, luncheon meat, or rendang are also added. Nasi Lemak has garnered as much love in Singapore as in Malaysia—and for good reason. It’s tasty, it fills you up just right, and doesn’t break the bank! It is also widely available around the city, from hawker centers to restaurants. Many locals grew up eating Nasi Lemak, so we’re taking you to dine alongside them for a taste of the classic rice plate. We hope you’re hungry!
Indulge in a royal feast for only SGD5.09 (USD4.39) at Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak. Rooted in the Adam Road Food Centre, the stall is one of the hawker hub’s most famous and known to be a rite of passage for the uninitiated. Their Royal Rumble is fully loaded with all the sides they have to offer: a chicken wing, fried fish, a fritter, and Otak-otak (or Otah, grilled fish cake) along with the usual side dishes. Unwrap the Otak-otak from its banana leaf, then scarf down with a generous amount of sweet sambal. Even with all this goodness going on, the Basmati rice truly stands out. You may have to brave the long lines before anything else, but it’ll all be worth it in the end!
- +65 9843 4509
2 Adam Road, #01-02, Adam Road Food Centre, Singapore
Right beside Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak, No. 1 Adam’s Nasi Lemak holds its own with their Mutton Rendang. Its thick and sweet sauce goes well with the fragrant rice, while the sweet and spicy sambal fuels the appetite even more. Avoid lunch hour if you’re put off by long queues. Survive it, and a lovely plate of Nasi Lemak is your reward. Which one is better, Selera Rasa or No. 1 Adam’s? The verdict is yours! The proof is in the queue—and so far they’re well matched.
2 Adam Road, Singapore
An endearing food stall in the Old Airport Road Food Centre, Tan Beng Otah Delights is run by an elderly couple who makes everything from scratch. Otak-otak is a grilled fish cake made by mixing mackerel and various spices until it becomes a red paste. Once formed, it is spooned onto banana leaves, sealed with a toothpick, and grilled on a charcoal stove. Their Nasi Lemak is also served in a banana leaf bundle, along with the Otak-otak, fried fish, peanuts, scrambled egg, and sambal.
51 Old Airport Road, #01-74 Old Airport Road Food Centre, Singapore
- https://www.facebook.com/tanbengotah
A smorgasbord of stir-fried vegetables, fried fish, and robust stews entice patrons at Chong Pong Nasi Lemak. Of all the dishes on their menu, it’s their simple chicken, sambal, and rice combo that speaks volumes. Bite into their massive chicken wings, fried to a mouthwatering crisp; then drench each spoonful with their slightly sweet sambal. Soon enough, you’ll be wiping your plate clean!
- +65 9655 1868
447 Sembawang Road, Singapore
- https://www.chongpangnasilemak.com/
Nasi Lemak is a dish that welcomes experimentation, improved elements, and out-of-the-box ideas. Good thing Fong Seng Fast Food Nasi Lemak is an equally versatile eatery! They dabble in Chinese, Malay, and Japanese cuisine, exploring all sorts of flavors to pair with the coconut-infused rice. Choose from Teriyaki Chicken, Tempura Crab Sticks, or Breaded Prawns, but it’s a huge possibility you’ll end up loving all three!
- +65 6775 7853
22 Clementi Road, Singapore
Stroll through the Central Business District, and you’ll see the hurried lunch crowd of office workers lining up at Market Street Nasi Lemak for a taste of their Nasi Lemak. The hawker stall is managed by two brothers who swiftly shuffle everything out in good time. All the while, they magically fry their chicken to its golden glory—tender within, but never too greasy. As you’ll sometimes find with Singaporean-Chinese Nasi Lemak, the rice is tinted a little green, which emphasizes the pandan leaves used to flavor the rice with the coconut.
8 Cross Street, #01-24 Market Street Interim Hawker Centre, Singapore
For as low as SGD 1 (USD 0.75), you have two sides plus unlimited reign over the rice cooker and sambal pot at Nasi Lemak Kukus. Everything is laid out on the counter and each side dish is individually priced a la carte, so go forth and build your own plate! You want three juicy wings? Grab it. How about some tender Mutton Rendang? Scoop it on! The best part of Nasi Lemak should always be its rice and sambal. As soon as you open the cooker, the glorious aroma of coconut hits you in the face. Their sambal, either sweet or spicy, motivates you to never put your spoon down. Even with the bulk Nasi Lemak Kukus has to prepare every day, everything is “shiok” (Singlish for superb)!
- +65 8222 9517
1002 Toa Payoh Industrial Park, Singapore
- https://www.facebook.com/Nasi-Lemak-Kukuscom-120892464642357/
In the pursuit of making the perfect plate of Nasi Lemak, The Coconut Club has painstakingly scoured the region for the best coconuts. They source the fruit especially from Perak, Malaysia. Along with the all-important coconut base, Chef Eng Su continually improves upon each element. The Basmati rice is dense and chewy, made even better with the coconut. Their fried chicken is a special Ayam Goreng Berempah (Malaysian-style crispy spiced fried chicken), made flavorful with an assortment of spices. A plate is pricier than what you’d find in hawker centers, but for its location and commitment to quality, you can’t go wrong. End the meal with Cendol, the restaurant’s special iced dessert using fresh coconut milk.
- +65 9755 6938
6 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore
- http://www.thecoconutclub.sg/
The search for the best Nasi Lemak heats up with the last two spots on our list. Enjoy your Nasi Lemak in the comforts of an air-conditioned, fast food-like restaurant called Ponggol Nasi Lemak. Owned by two sisters, the shop has automated the cooking process to serve more customers. However, some things remain to be lovingly made by hand—just like their sambal.
- +65 6293 0020
371 Jalan Besar, Singapore
- https://www.ponggolnasilemak.com.sg/
Aunty Susan Koh is the youngest sister to the owners of Ponggol Nasi Lemak. She’s broken out on her own to create Bali Nasi Lemak, which sets itself apart by tweaking beloved classics to their peak. They serve original Crispy Golden Chicken, but you’re best off with the diner’s signature Kecap Manis Chicken. The Indonesian sweet soy sauce glazes the crisp fried chicken, complementing Aunty Susan’s special Sambal Petai (chili paste with stinky beans). The rice is Basmati, which lays the foundation for everything she is trying to achieve on the plate—satisfaction.
- +65 6841 4102
2 Geylang Lorong 15, Singapore
- https://bali-nasilemak.com/
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