Nasi padang, anyone? Rendang, gulai ayam and ayam bakar: That’s how we roll.
Affordable lunches are aplenty in Singapore. From laksa and nasi lemak to a wide selection of hawker food, living in the Lion City 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 delish and pretty pocket-friendly.
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, and it’s a go-to 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 yellow gravy), tender beef rendang and spicy sambal goreng (comprising tofu and long beans).
Warong Nasi Pariaman, 738 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198706
Hjh Maimunah
Available for takeaway and delivery.
Established in the ’90s, this beloved restaurant still embraces the good ol’ kampung days. It serves traditional cuisine like sambal goreng, tahu telor, beef rendang and oxtail soup – all appetising nasi padang staples. But if you want to amp up your sedap experience, try specialities like the Sundanese grilled chicken or BBQ seabass.
Hjh Maimunah, multiple locations including City Square Mall and Joo Chiat Road.
Sari Ratu
Available for delivery. Call +65 6294 9983/9001 9960 to place your order.
Authentically recreating the traditions of West Sumatra – where nasi padang originated – Sari Ratu specialises in terong balado (eggplant in chilli) and ikan bawal bakar (grilled pomfret). If you’re an adventurous meat-eater, get your hands on the gulai tunjang (beef tendon in curry). Too spicy for you? Wash it all down with heat-dousing juices like starfruit, avocado and Indonesia’s favourite iced tea, teh botol.
Sari Ratu, multiple locations including Lucky Plaza and Pahang Street.
Warung M. Nasir
Available for takeaway and delivery. Call +65 6734 6228 or WhatsApp +65 9010 5188 to place your order.
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 singing with delight.
Warung M. Nasir, 69 Killiney Road, Singapore 239526
The Rice Table
Available for self-pickup and delivery. WhatsApp +65 9687 4467 to place your order.
The Rice Table is where you can sample the best 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. Be sure to come hungry!
The Rice Table, #02-09/10, International Building, 360 Orchard Road, Singapore 238869
Pagi Sore
Available for delivery. WhatsApp +65 9191 8212 to place your order.
A popular lunch spot for the CBD crowd, Pagi Sore offers satisfying meal packages. That means you can get the most out of the Indonesian dishes on offer: Think tahu telor, fried fish with balado chilli, grilled chicken and more.
Pagi Sore, Far East Square, 88/90 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048470
Sinar Pagi
Available for takeaway at Geylang Serai outlet and delivery. Call +65 9067 8907/9081 8852 to place your order.
Sometimes, the way to quell the pressures of stuffy corporate work-life is the comfort of a home-cooked meal. And this well-known stall offers one such ravenous reprieve. Though a tad on the pricier side, the eatery dishes out crowd 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, multiple locations including Geylang Serai and Joo Chiat.
Hajjah Mona
Locals in the know will tell you Geylang Serai Market is 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 rawon (fatty beef bits in buah keluak gravy) and opor ayam (chicken in creamy coconut gravy). You’ll have to get in line for dibs on these hot favourites.
Hajjah Mona, #02-166, Pasar Geylang Serai, 1 Geylang Serai, Singapore 402001
