The search for the best Malay food in Singapore is over! Here are all the top places you should visit to satisfy your cravings.
When you’re craving strong flavours and aromatic spices in Singapore, nothing slaps harder than Malay food. Whether it’s nasi padang drizzled with robust chicken curry, or sweet, freshly-made putu piring, it always hits the spot. Feeling the hunger pangs already? We’re more than happy to share all the best places to get your Malay food fix in Singapore.
Best Malay food in Singapore
1. Kerabu by Arang
While there aren’t many places that offer nasi kerabu, we know one that should be on your food list. Helmed by chef Affy, who honed his skills at Iggy’s and Thevar, the nasi kerabu is top-quality. Traditional cooking methods such as coconut husks and charcoal are employed here, resulting in succulent grilled meats and savoury percik gravy. The prices may be steep, but don’t let that stop you from having a delicious meal.
Kerabu by Arang, #01-04, Yishun Park Hawker Centre, 51 Yishun Avenue 11, Singapore 768867
2. Shedap Sey!
Roti boyan (Boyanese bread) is a staple heritage snack in the Malay community. These round or square-shaped pastries are filled with potatoes, onions, and egg before being fried until golden brown – you can say it’s a larger cousin to the popular curry puff. This home-based business offers the frozen version in a pack of 10 pieces, which you can air fry and enjoy with tea in the afternoons. Or at any time of the day, really.
Shedap Sey!, available online for delivery
3. Al-Ameen Eating Corner
Everyone knows nasi padang and nasi ambeng, but have you heard of nasi kandar? It’s Penang’s signature dish that’s heavily influenced by Indian cuisine. The dish consists of steamed rice, Indian-style curries, and various side dishes. If you’re hungry, head to Al-Ameen Eating Corner in Woodlands. One look at all the dishes on display, and you’ll have a tough time deciding what to include on your plate of nasi kandar!
Al-Ameen Eating Corner, #01-11, Central Industrial Estate, 35 Marsiling Industrial Estate Road 3, Singapore 739257
4. Rumah Makan Minang
Rumah Makan Minang serves several typical nasi padang side dishes. But the star of the show is most definitely its signature beef rendang. It’s ridiculously tender and has an incredible depth of flavour. You’ll be dreaming about this rendang for days!
Rumah Makan Minang, multiple locations including Kandahar Street and Tampines
5. The Coconut Club
The Coconut Club has pretty much perfected the art of nasi lemak. While slightly pricier than the standard dish found in most Malay restaurants in Singapore, a typical order comes piled high with coconut rice, a generously-sized chicken leg, ikan bilis, peanuts, cucumber, fried egg and sambal. You can also get other sets with fish or otah, and heap on sides like sambal sotong and fried eggplant.
The Coconut Club, multiple locations including Beach Road and Siglap
6. Hjh Maimunah
Established in the ’90s, this beloved restaurant still embraces the good ol’ kampung days. It serves traditional nasi padang staples like sambal goreng, tahu telor, beef rendang and oxtail soup. If you want to amp up your sedap experience, try specialities like the Sundanese grilled chicken or BBQ sea bass.
Hjh Maimunah, multiple locations including City Square Mall and Joo Chiat Road
7. Kampong Glam Cafe
If you’re visiting the vibrant neighbourhood of Kampong Glam, don’t forget to stop at Kampong Glam Cafe. With 15 nasi goreng options to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether you prefer chicken, seafood or meat-free mains, there’s something for everyone. Complete your meal with a refreshing glass of teh tarik, and you’re all set.
Kampong Glam Cafe, 17 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199438
8. Pu3 Restaurant
Dining out with a group of four (or more)? You should definitely consider indulging in nasi ambeng. Pu3 specialises in this decadent traditional communal dish. Opt for the basic set if you’d like, or splurge on the royal set loaded with prawns, sambal ikan bilis and dried fish.
Pu3 Restaurant, #02-20, TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Road, Singapore 238164
9. Roti Kirai Delights
Also known as roti jala, roti kirai is a delicate Malay netted crepe that’s perfect for dipping into saucy dishes like curry or rendang. It’s not easy to find a Malay restaurant in Singapore that serves this particular dish, but online store Roti Kirai Delights plugs the gap. Its bento set feeds a party of five easily and will fulfil your craving for soft and fluffy roti kirai.
Roti Kirai Delights, available online for delivery
10. Haig Road Putu Piring
We love these glorious steamed rice cakes at Haig Road Putu Piring! With various outlets across the island, the well-known putu piring stall uses top-notch ingredients in its signature item. Aside from the typical gula melaka filling, it also experiments with flavours like durian and chocolate. If you think it sounds familiar, perhaps you’ve seen it spotlighted on the Singapore edition of Netflix’s Street Food.
Haig Road Putu Piring, multiple locations including #01-02, Al-Azhar Coffeeshop, 970 Geylang Road, Singapore 423492
11. Yunos N Family
This humble stall in Ang Mo Kio has been serving customers for more than 40 years. Well-known and loved by the local community, it made a name for itself for serving delicious mee rebus – yellow noodles covered in a thick, rich gravy. You can even add a few sticks of satay on the side (we recommend mutton and chicken).
Yunos N Family, Block 724, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, Singapore 560724
12. Coba Coba
The neighbourhood of Yishun may have made itself a little infamous in recent years, but if there’s anything good that’s come out of it, it’s the food from Coba Coba. Here, you’ll find a monstrous platter featuring decadent sambal sotong, beef rendang, begedil, ayam kalio and paru goreng. It’s definitely worth the trip!
Coba Coba, #01-106, 156 Yishun Street 11, Singapore 760156
13. Warong Nasi Pariaman
Warong Nasi Pariaman has been faithfully doling out generous and delicious nasi padang since the 1940s. This Malay restaurant is the place to be if you’re looking for authentic Malay cuisine in Singapore. Have a fluffy mountain of rice covered in a liberal amount of its chicken curry, plus varying side dishes like beef rendang and sambal goreng.
Warong Nasi Pariaman, 738 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198706
We don’t know about you, but all these great Malay restaurants in Singapore are making us really hungry. Heading out for lunch right now!
[This article was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2024 by Sufyan Saad.]
