Affordable lunches don’t come any better than here. From laksa, nasi lemak to a wide selection of hawker food, living in Singapore is pretty sweet. A favourite lunch staple of Singaporeans? Nasi padang. Originally an Indonesian dish – where it’s eaten banquet style – the diverse renditions in Singapore are almost as good, and very accessible.
Warong Nasi Pariaman
It’s hard to ignore the longest-surviving nasi padang stall in Singapore! Warong Nasi Pariaman has admirably stayed put near Kandahar Street since 1948, so it’s a go-to food haunt for many who visit the Arab Street precinct. A homely family-run business, the food here is prepared as early as 4am – signatures include gulai ayam (chicken in a yellow gravy), tender beef rendang and spicy sambal goreng (comprising of tofu and long beans).
Warong Nasi Pariaman, 738 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198706
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Hjh Maimunah
Although established in the ’90s, this beloved restaurant still embraces the good ol’ days of the kampung. Hajjah Maimunah serves traditional kampung cuisine like sambal goreng, tahu telur, beef rendang and oxtail soup – all appetising nasi padang staples. But if you want to amp up your sedap experience, try its specialities like the Sundanese grilled chicken or the lemak siput (sea snails in coconut milk). Catering options are also available.
Hajjah Maimunah, Joo Chiat & Jalan Pisang.
Sari Ratu
Authentically recreating the traditions of West Sumatra – where nasi padang came from – Sari Ratu specialises in terong balado (eggplant in chilli), ikan bawal bakar (grilled pomfret), and if you’re a more adventurous meat-eater, gulai tunjang (beef tendon in curry). If it’s all too spicy for you, they’ve plenty of spice-dousing juices like starfruit, avocado and Indonesia’s favourite iced tea, Teh Botol.
Sari Ratu, Lucky Plaza & Pahang Street
Warung M. Nasir
What you have in this cosy Orchard eatery is top-notch nasi padang – rice drenched in thick, spicy curry from dishes like sayur lodeh and gulai ayam. You’ll be so satisfied, your stomach will be practically singing with delight.
Warung M. Nasir, 69 Killiney Road, Singapore 239526
Pagi Sore
Pagi Sore started as a humble nasi padang store but has since expanded to three outlets in Singapore. A popular lunch spot for the CBD crowd, Pagi Sore offers satisfying meal packages, so you can get the most out of the Indonesian dishes they offer like tahu telor, fried fish with balado chilli, grilled chicken and more.
Pagi Sore, various locations.
Sinar Pagi
Sometimes, the way to quell the pressures of stuffy corporate work-life is the comfort of a home-cooked meal. Offering such a ravenous reprieve is this well-known nasi padang stall in the heart of the city. Though a tad on the pricier side, this place doesn’t stop regulars from ordering favourites like sayur lodeh (vegetable curry with coconut milk), sambal quail eggs, chicken rendang and a towering tahu telur (fried tofu and egg). Food coma for the rest of the afternoon? Yup…
Sinar Pagi, Geylang and Joo Chiat
The Rice Table
Named after ‘Rijsttafel’, a phrase coined by the Dutch who colonised Indonesia, the story goes that early Dutch settlers took caution with trying out Indonesian food and ate the different dishes in small samples. Borrowing this concept, The Rice Table is where you can sample the best in the rich flavours of Indonesian cooking. Eat your way through 15 to 20 dishes including sambal kangkung (water spinach in chilli), grilled chicken, potato patties, chicken satay, tahu telor and more. Come hungry!
The Rice Table, 360 Orchard Road, #02-09/10 International Building, Singapore 238869
Hajjah Mona
Locals in the know will tell you the Geylang Serai Market is one hawker centre that’s a paradise for starving foodies. And if you’re looking to stuff yourself with a serving of nasi padang, this is the perfect place to be. Bestsellers include the rawon (fatty beef bits in buah keluak gravy) and opor ayam (chicken in creamy coconut gravy) – better queue for dibs on the best dishes.
Hajjah Mona, #02-166 Pasar Geylang Serai, 1 Geylang Serai, Singapore 402001
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