The larger and fuller sister of nasi padang, this is a perfect meal for social gatherings.
For the uninitiated, nasi ambeng is part of Javanese cuisine and has gotten popular in the late noughties over here. A distant relative of nasi padang, it’s a communal dish that can feed about five to six people.
Typically, there’ll be a mountain of rice served with a variety of side dishes like beef rendang, chicken curry, bergedel (fried potato patties) and spicy sambal goreng (tofu, tempeh and long beans). The dish is usually served on a large platter over a banana leaf. Alright, now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive right into it. Here are our top picks for this gargantuan dish.
1. Pu3 Restaurant
Located in the heart of Orchard, Pu3 specialises in nasi ambeng. You can opt for the basic set but if you’re extra like us, go for the royal set that’s loaded with prawns, sambal ikan bilis (fried anchovies) and dried fish. We know it states that it feeds a group of four but it can easily satisfy six ravenous diners.
Pu3 Restaurant, #02-20 TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Rd,, Singapore 238164
2. Coba Coba
Try not to look them up on Instagram if you’re feeling peckish. Just head straight to Yishun to inhale this monstrous platter that features sambal sotong (spicy squid), beef rendang, begedil (fried potato patties), ayam kalio (chicken rendang) and paru goreng (fried beef lungs). Not up for travelling? They deliver too!
Coba Coba, #01-106, 156 Yishun Street 11,, Singapore 760156
3. Padi@Bussorah
Located near the majestic Masjid Sultan, this quaint restaurant has a homely ambience with wooden furniture and old-school ceiling fans. The nasi ambeng comes in five sizes, for one to five people. Expect classic dishes like chicken in coconut gravy and salted fish. It’s honestly the perfect meal to tuck into after exploring the vibrant Kampong Glam.
Padi @ Bussorah, 53 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199469
4. Hajjah Mariam Cafe
You’d be glad to know that this eatery serves up nasi ambeng in smaller portions for single diners. The Solo Ambeng Premium has all the typical sides – at least you won’t have to call dibs for the last spoon of rendang.
Hajjah Mariam Cafe, #B2-08 Westgate Shopping Mall, 3 Gateway Dr, Singapore 608532
Honourable Mention: The White Tiffin
The White Tiffin might not serve up nasi ambeng but it’s home to the popular XXL nasi lemak. Semantics aside, it’s served up just like the former but with blue rice. ! On top of that did we mention that one of the side dishes includes cheesy lobster? Sedap!
The White Tiffin, #01-44 Changi City Point, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, Singapore 486038
