9Yards review: This new Changi Village cafe serving nasi lemak is worth the trek

I head to 9Yards in Changi Village for nasi lemak, cafe bites, and a few surprises along the way.

Changi Village isn’t exactly where cafe hype usually lands, but 9Yards seems determined to prove otherwise. Tucked away in the neighbourhood, it’s a new Muslim-owned cafe in Singapore by chef Bob (aka Shahrizal Salleh). After plenty of buzz around its nasi lemak, I dropped by on a Saturday evening to see if it deserves the attention.

9Yards review: Details at a glance

Best for: Chill alfresco hangouts away from the city; nasi lemak with a twist
Must-try items: Nasi lemak beef bulgogi; Korean wings
How much: Nasi lemak from $6.90; snacks from $3.90; patisserie from $3.90; drinks from $3.90
Opening hours: Sundays to Thursdays, 8am to 10pm and Fridays & Saturdays, 8am to 3am
Address: 9Yards, #01-04/05, Village Hotel Changi, 1 Netheravon Road, Singapore 508502

A vibey escape in Changi Village

9Yards is on the first floor of Village Hotel Changi, located along Singapore’s eastern coast. Getting to the cafe via public transport might require lots of patience, but you’ll be rewarded with a spot that hasn’t been overrun by foodies… yet.

The alfresco area features plenty of seats; a laid-back space where diners can gather, linger, and dig in. On a Saturday evening, the space had a steady hum of conversation without feeling overcrowded, which made it easy to linger. I recommend dropping by in the evenings so you can take advantage of the vibey space without sweating as if you’re in a sauna. Of course, you can always take the easy way out and dine indoors, but where’s the fun in that?

One thing I appreciate about the indoor area is the power points available throughout the space. If you do end up being here for whatever reason – work, meetings, a foodie adventure – you won’t have to worry about losing juice on your devices. Another work-friendly space in Singapore? Most definitely.

Nasi lemak takes centre stage

The main highlight on 9Yards’ menu is the nasi lemak set, which comes with protein options like chicken wing ($6.90), tempura fish ($8.90), and beef bulgogi ($9.90). My dining companion and I went with our favourite meats: fish for them, and beef for me. Each plate also contains a generous amount of sambal, ikan bilis and peanuts, cucumber slices, and fish crackers.

I was pleased with the beef bulgogi. The meat was tender with a good chew, only giving way once I bit into it. However, I would’ve loved it more if the flavours were slightly more pronounced. (Right now, it’s just saying “bulgogi…” instead of screaming it.) The tempura fish’s batter wasn’t too thick, coating the fish just enough to produce a lovely crispiness.

But the true star of the show was the sambal. It’s spicy enough to pack a punch, but with subtle hints of sweetness to round out the flavour profile. Compared to more classic nasi lemak styles, this leans more modern and restrained rather than aggressively rich or lemak-heavy. I’d go as far as to say the sambal alone could carry 9Yards as a serious nasi lemak contender in Singapore.

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Mixed bag of snacks and sips

While the mains were a hit, I couldn’t say the same for the snacks. We ordered the Korean wings with fries ($12.90) and the mentaiko tater tots ($6.90), and both were only above average for me. I liked the skin, which was succulent and went well with the spicy-sweet sauce. If you intend to get the Korean wings, I say skip the fries and go straight for the wings.

9Yards’ drinks selection is pretty extensive, so take your time picking a drink before ordering. After much deliberation, I went with the iced pumpkin spice latte ($7.90) while my companion had the iced Changi teh tarek ($5.90).

My latte was milky with pumpkin spice peeking through with every sip. It’s almost on par with the original that popularised it, though the drink would’ve benefited from a heavier hand. The teh tarek was an interesting concoction – it tasted lighter than regular pulled tea. My companion wondered if it might have been made with green tea.

Is 9Yards worth the trek?

In today’s increasingly volatile dining landscape, where openings and closures feel like a revolving door, chef Bob bucks the trend with a new spot in a quieter corner of Singapore. It’s not the easiest place to get to, but 9Yards makes the journey feel worthwhile.

While it may be an uphill climb to stand out among some of Singapore’s established supper favourites, the cafe has enough going for it to grow its following. And if there’s one reason to make the trip, it’s the nasi lemak. The sambal is easily the standout, doing more than enough to justify a return visit on its own.

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