The search for the best Malay food in Singapore is over! Here are all the top places you should visit to satisfy your cravings.
Confession: I love Indian food. But that doesn’t mean Malay dishes play second fiddle to me – the cuisine, with its strong flavours and aromatic spices, will forever have my heart. There’s nothing like nasi padang drizzled with chicken curry, a large nasi ambeng platter, and delicious halal snacks that hit the spot. Feeling the hunger pangs already? Here are the best places to get your Malay food fix in Singapore.
Best Malay food in Singapore
My recommended spots:
- The best overall: Hjh Maimunah
- If you wanna splurge: Restaurant Fiz
- Affordable meals: Yunos N Family
- For a light yet filling snack: Haig Road Putu Piring
Now let’s dive into the full list. Don’t read on an empty stomach!
1. Restaurant Fiz
Whenever someone asks what my favourite restaurant in Singapore is, my immediate response is Fiz at Tanjong Pagar. Since its establishment in 2023, chef-owner Hafizzul Hashim has wowed diners with his take on Malay and Southeast Asian cuisines, drawing inspiration from his childhood memories, family recipes, and experiences. On top of earning raves from critics and the common folk, Restaurant Fiz has also bagged its first Michelin Green Star in 2024, a testament to its commitment towards sustainable culinary practices.
The menu rotates every three to six months, so you gotta drop by to find out what chef Hafizzul has in store. Set aside two hours if you plan to eat your way through the full experience menu. Be sure to end your meal with the signature bahulu – what it lacks in size, it makes up in taste. My stomach and I always leave the restaurant in a state of pure culinary bliss after our meal.
Must-try items: Seasonal menu
How much: Lunch set menu at $88 per pax; dinner set menu from $198 per pax
Opening hours: Wednesdays to Saturdays, 12pm to 3pm and Tuesdays to Saturdays, 6pm to 10pm
Address: Restaurant Fiz, #01-01/02, 21 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088444
2. Hjh Maimunah
There’s only one place in Singapore where I will get all my Malay food fix under one roof. Drum roll please for Hjh Maimunah – or Hjh M, as I loving call it. This institution has been every foodie’s top choice since its establishment in 1992. 40 different types of dishes are served here, from nasi padang staples like beef rendang and sambal goreng to specialities like ayam bakar and BBQ sea bass. Everything (yes, even the kuehs) is prepared fresh daily using high-quality ingredients from around the region.
My ultimate fave – and one you gotta get if you’re dining here – is lemak siput sedut. Think of it as the Malay equivalent of escargot, featuring sea snails cooked in a rich, coconutty gravy. Fun fact: I’ve eaten this during a work meeting once. Unprofessional? Probably, but we left the place with a contract. Thanks to the snails!
Must-try items: Lemak siput sedut; ayam bakar; beef rendang; sambal goreng pengantin; lemak pucuk ubi
How much: Enquire for prices
Opening hours: (Jalan Pisang) Mondays to Saturdays, 7.30am to 7.30pm; (Joo Chiat Road) Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am to 8pm
Address: Hjh Maimunah, multiple locations including Jalan Pisang and Joo Chiat Road
3. Kerabu by Arang
I’m not a fan of rice dishes, but when I suddenly crave this carb, nasi kerabu ranks highly on my list. This hawker centre stall is one of my go-to for the dish – I love how chef Affy combines traditional cooking methods with modern interpretations. You can go for the standard nasi kerabu with chicken leg set, but I say the lamb ribs are a better option. Picture succulent meats paired with savoury percik sauce… heaven! Sure, the prices may be steep, but that shouldn’t stop you from tasting the nasi kerabu soon.
Must-try items: Nasi kerabu with lamb ribs percik set
How much: From $11
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Fridays, 11am to 2.30pm & 6pm to 8pm and weekends, 10am till sold out
Address: Kerabu by Arang, #01-04, Yishun Park Hawker Centre, 51 Yishun Avenue 11, Singapore 768867
4. Rumah Makan Minang
You may not realise it, but Singapore is the unofficial battleground for the best nasi padang. One of the contenders is Rumah Makan Minang, which has been dishing out plates of Minangkabau cuisine since 1954. Diners often rave about its signature beef rendang, which is ridiculously tender with incredible depth of flavour. You’ll be dreaming about the dish for days!
But if you ask me, the paru belado has my heart. The crispy, chewy beef lungs pair exceptionally well with the spicy, sweet, and tangy red chilli marinate. Oh, don’t forget to add the Indonesian tahu telur to your order! A stellar combination of large fried tofu mixed with eggs, topped with grated peanuts and bean sprouts, and doused with dark soy sauce, it’s one dish that should be on every table.
Must-try items: Beef rendang; paru belado; Indonesian tahu telur
How much: Dinner menu and a la carte from $5
Opening hours: Daily, 8am to 9pm
Address: Rumah Makan Minang, multiple locations including Kandahar Street and Tampines
5. Harummanis
The idea that Malay food can be elevated into a fine dining concept in Singapore doesn’t seem to sit well with many people. That’s the notion celebrated chef Akmal Anuar wants to dismantle when setting up this restaurant. Harummanis pays homage to its legacy as a hawker stall in Teck Whye Lane, which was started by the chef’s parents in 1992.
If you plan to swing by, my advice is to come with zero expectations. Throw everything you know about Malay food out the window! Over here, the dishes are an amalgamation of traditional recipes and contemporary twists. A must-try is the Minangka-Bao – lamb shanks, rendang gravy, and avocado salsa stuffed into crispy mantou buns. I couldn’t get enough of them! In terms of mains, the ayam masak putih is a standout.
Must-try items: Minangka-Bao; paru belado; ayam masak putih
How much: Tasting menu at $110+ for two persons; 2-man team set at $85+ for two persons
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 12pm to 8pm
Address: Harummanis, 37 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198485
6. Pu3 Restaurant
Covid-19 is a thing of the past (and it better stay there!) and everyone’s dining out in big groups. If you plan to do the same, may I interest you in nasi ambeng? This popular Javanese dish features fragrant rice and various sides like chicken curry, rendang, sambal goreng, begedil, and serunding (spiced grated coconut), and is best eaten communal style. One top spot is Pu3, where you can opt for the basic set or splurge on the royal set loaded with prawns, sambal ikan bilis and dried fish. Tip: eat with your hands! It adds that extra flavour. Just remember to wash them first.
Must-try items: Nasi ambeng royal; nasi rawon; nasi sambal goreng
How much: Sets from $6.80; a la carte dishes from $5; drinks from $2
Opening hours: Daily, 9am to 9pm
Address: Pu3 Restaurant, #02-20, TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Road, Singapore 238164
7. Haig Road Putu Piring
What’s putu piring? You can say it’s the larger cousin of the tutu kueh, except it’s filled with gula melaka and served with grated coconuts. Some believe the Malay snack evolved from putu mayam, a South Indian delicacy. Finding these steamed rice cakes might be tricky, but if you’re keen to try them, you can find these gloriously delicious treats at Haig Road Putu Piring. Besides the original flavour, this well-known stall also offers fillings like durian and chocolate. I’ll always go for this if I want to transport myself back to the good ol’ kampung days.
Must-try flavours: Gula melaka (original); brown coconut; durian
How much: From $3.50
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: Haig Road Putu Piring, multiple locations including #01-02, Al-Azhar Coffeeshop, 970 Geylang Road, Singapore 423492
8. Yunos N Family
Sometimes, all you wanna do during rainy days or post-work is slurp up a piping-hot bowl of comfort food. I’ve got the solution, dear readers. Hit up this humble stall in Ang Mo Kio, which has served residents for over 40 years and made a name for itself by serving delicious mee rebus. (Singaporeans take their queues seriously, and the neverending line for this is no joke.) Enjoy the dish solo, or have it with various proteins. Not a fan of mee rebus (like me)? The mee soto and satay are available here too.
Must-try items: Mee rebus; mee soto
How much: From $4
Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 11am to 7pm
Address: Yunos N Family, #01-01, Ang Mo Kio Central Market & Food Centre, 724 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, Singapore 560724
9. The Coconut Club
Now, you’re probably thinking: “Why should I pay more than $10 for nasi lemak?” Well, why shouldn’t you? Especially when you’re dining at The Coconut Club, where the good folks have perfected the art of a beloved classic. A typical order comes piled high with fragrant rice, fried egg, anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, sambal, and your choice of protein.
A feast isn’t complete without desserts, and I recommend getting the kueh sampler, a smorgasbord of handmade Malay and nyonya treats. This is one of the top restaurants I’ll always suggest if I’m meeting my friends for an overdue catch-up. P.S. The Coconut Club isn’t halal-certified as it serves cocktails.
Must-try items: Signature nasi lemak; kueh pie ti; chicken satay; kueh sampler
How much: Food and drinks from $12
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: The Coconut Club, multiple locations including Kim Yam Road and Beach Road
10. Coba Coba
Who says Yishun is only a hub for all kinds of unsavoury activities? Singapore’s infamous neighbourhood is also home to some of the best Malay food, including this well-known eatery. Pay Coba Coba a visit for monstrous nasi ambeng platters, which are accompanied by decadent sambal sotong, beef rendang, ayam kalio, and paru goreng. You can share this with your loved ones, or choose to conquer it solo. Is it worth the trip? Duh, of course!
Must-try items: Nasi ambeng; telur belado; sambal terung; botok-botok
How much: From $3.80
Opening hours: Daily, 8am to 9pm
Address: Coba Coba, #01-106, 156 Yishun Street 11, Singapore 760156
11. Kampong Glam Cafe
Kampong Glam is a vibrant enclave where you can enjoy all kinds of cuisine. But if you’re hankering something simple but one that still hits the spot, Kampong Glam Cafe is where it’s at. This beloved establishment has 15 nasi goreng options for you to choose from, leaving you positively spoilt for choice. Chicken, seafood, meat-free mains… there’s something for everyone. The nasi goreng pattaya never fails to hit the spot for me. Add a cup of teh tarik to your meal and devour everything like there’s no tomorrow.
Must-try items: Nasi goreng pattaya; soto ayam; tahu goreng; kacang pool; lontong; roti john cheese
How much: Food from $3; drinks from $1
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 7.30am to 2am
Address: Kampong Glam Cafe, 17 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199438
12. Warong Nasi Pariaman
This restaurant is one of local food historian and author Khir Johari’s notable places for authentic Malay cuisine. Warong Nasi Pariaman has been faithfully doling out generous and delish nasi padang since 1948. It’s believed to be Singapore’s oldest surviving nasi padang stall, still operating in the same location. The first time you should do when you’re here is to check out the small glass display along the main corridor, which showcases the restaurant back in the 80s.
After that, join the queue for your plate of nasi padang. While there are many dishes to choose from, you can go wrong with beef rendang. Warong Nasi Pariaman’s version is smokey, rich, and aromatic. I urge you to try the gulai nangka: tender jackfruit pieces infused with savoury, spicy curry gravy.
Must-try items: Ayam gulai; beef rendang; ayam lemak cili ijo; gulai nangka
How much: From $5
Opening hours: Thursdays to Tuesdays, 7.30am to 3pm
Address: Warong Nasi Pariaman, 738 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198706
13. Al-Ameen Eating Corner
To our readers in the north, I envy you. Whenever you’re hungry, all you gotta do is hit up Al-Ameen Eating Corner in Woodlands. There are plenty of options here, so take your time deciding what you want to feast on. But if you ask me, the nasi kandar slaps. The dish consists of steamed rice, Indian-style curries, and various side dishes. Be sure to order a cup of hot tea to wash everything down!
Must-try items: Nasi kandar; butter chicken; cheese naan; sambal fried rice
How much: From $5
Opening hours: Daily, 6am to 2am
Address: Al-Ameen Eating Corner, #01-11, Central Industrial Estate, 35 Marsiling Industrial Estate Road 3, Singapore 739257
14. Roti Kirai Delights
Here’s a savoury Malay snack that you can enjoy at almost any time of the day. Roti kirai, also known as roti jala, is a delicate netted crepe that’s perfect for dipping into saucy dishes like curry or rendang. I go a little cray-cray (or a lot, depending on how hungry I am) whenever I spot this on the menu. It’s not easy to find a Malay restaurant in Singapore that serves this particular dish, but this online store thankfully plugs the gap. Its bento set feeds a party of five easily and will fulfil your craving for soft and fluffy roti kirai.
Must-try items: Chicken bento set; beef bento set
How much: From $30
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
Address: Roti Kirai Delights, available online
All this outstanding Malay food in Singapore is making me hungry!
