If you love Malaysian food as much as we do, but donât fancy yourself standing for hours on end trying to clear Immigration, check out these Malaysian food places within Singapore that are guaranteed to transport your taste buds across the Causeway!
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$9.20+ for a packet of nasi lemak might sound outrageously expensive, but when you try Dickson Nasi Lemakâs Ayam Goreng Berempah (Chicken Leg), youâll understand its appeal. Made following the recipe of Village Park Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, the sole dish here is as close as you can get to KL-style nasi lemak without actually flying to the capital city. Not only is the nasi light yet lemak, but the chicken leg it comes with is also deep-fried on order and well-marinated with lemongrass, turmeric powder, and ginger. The star of the show though, is their 18-ingredient sambal, which is less sweet than Singaporean-style sambal but still undeniably fragrant.Â
Check out our Dickson Nasi Lemak review.
Address: 320 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427571
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 8:30am to 10:30am, 11:45am to 3:30pm
Website
Dickson Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery.
Meng Meng Roasted Duck is known by many as that famous dang gui duck in JB. Now you no longer have to make the journey across the border to taste their Dang Gui Roasted Duck Rice ($5.50), as you can find them in Hougang Mallâs food court. The roasted duck is not in the least bit gamey and carries a faint hint of the flavour of angelica root.Â
Aside from their roasted duck, you should also try the Signature Char Siew Rice ($5.50). The char siew is glazed in a sweet honey marinade, which is best paired with the tangy and spicy chilli sauce.
Check out our Meng Meng Roasted Duck feature.
Address: 90 Hougang Avenue 10, #04-11, Foodiesâ Garden, Hougang Mall, Singapore 538766
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am to 8:30pm
Tel:Â 9811 0123
Website
Meng Meng Roasted Duck is not a halal-certified eatery.
Penang-style rojak is what youâd find here at Lim Bo Rojak, which was started after a chance discovery by owner Leong Gwo Wei on a vacation to Kuala Lumpur. The fruit rojak comes in small, medium, and big, or as the store terms it: SHIOK ($5.50), xi bei SHIOK ($8), and Lim Bo Special ($12). All three sizes come with slices of green mango, guava, cucumber, pineapple, and turnip, as well as crispy you tiao. The largest portion is topped with an additional Hokkien-style prawn cracker. Fried to order, the lattice-like prawn cracker is hard and slightly savoury, which provides a contrasting texture to the rest of the rojak.
Check out our Lim Bo Fruit Rojak review.
Address: 64 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427786
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 10am to 8pm
Tel: 9711 1342
Website
Lim Bo Rojak is not a halal-certified eatery.Â
With more than 40 years of legacy, Tuck Kee (Ipoh) Sah Hor Fun is one of the most well-known Ipoh hor fun peddlers in Singapore. Serving Crayfish Prawn Hor Fun for only $11, you get four halves of fresh prawns, and a whole crayfish. The silky-smooth flat rice noodles are doused in brown viscous gravy, before theyâre topped with choy sum and fried shallots. Although the gravy does not include egg like Singaporean-style hor fun does, it is still rich in umami, due to the chicken bones, prawns, and prawn heads that itâs been stewed with. Youâll also get fresh seafood here, to further elevate your Ipoh hor fun experience.Â
Check out our Tuck Kee (Ipoh) Sah Hor Fun review.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #02-40, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, Singapore 051531
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am to 2:45pm
Tel: 9826 2083
Tuck Kee (Ipoh) Sah Hor Fun is not a halal eatery.
Started by two millennial women, Fei Zhu Lok Lok has been charming the Singaporean crowd with their looks and their affordable lok lok. Each skewer costs $1, and you have more than 20 items to choose from. Our favourites were the Mushroom, Broccoli, and Smoked Duck skewers, which you can dip into their four saucesâa citrus mayonnaise, a house-made chilli, belachan, and Thai sweet chilli. Fei Zhu Lok Lok has also opened a second outlet in Jurong West, that remains open on public holidays for you to feast to your heartâs content.
Check out our Fei Zhu Lok Lok review. Do note that their Tai Seng outlet has closed down.
Ang Mo Kio
Address: 7030 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, #01-30 Northstar, Singapore 569880
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12pm to 1:30am, Fri-Sat 4pm to 1:30pm, Sun 4pm to 10:30pmÂ
Toh Guan
Address: 267A Toh Guan Road, Singapore 601267
Opening hours: Sun-Mon 5pm to 10:30pm, Tue-Sat 5pm to 1:30pm
Tel: 9822 7755
Website
Fei Zhu Lok Lok is not a halal-certified eatery.
JB Ah Meng is known to Eastsiders as one of the best zi char stalls Singapore has to offer. Situated in the red-light district of Geylang, the eatery has seen the likes of Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay as patrons, despite having a history that only harkens back some 10 years ago. Youâd be remiss not to order the JB San Lou Mee Hoon ($8/$12/$16), which presents a delightful contrast of crispiness and chewiness. Each mouthful of bee hoon is guaranteed to be full of wok hei as you enjoy it with shrimp, egg, and vegetables.Â
Address: 534 Geylang Road, Singapore 389490
Opening hours: Daily 5pm to 2:15am
Tel: 6741 2418
JB Ah Meng is not a halal-certified eatery.
With five locations islandwide, PappaRich is the go-to place if you want to enjoy a wide range of Malaysian food in comfort. This international brand boasts a menu that comprises roti canai, nasi lemak, prawn mee, and char kway teow, amongst others. Try the Penang Assam Laksa ($12.90++), which is a pleasant concoction of sweet, sour, and spicy notes. The broth carries the fragrance of ginger flower and mint, and even contains thick chunks of fresh mackerel, AKA batang fish.Â
Check out our PappaRich review.
Website | Full list of locations
PappaRich is a halal-certified restaurant.
If you miss the commute to Johor Bahru City Square, you can replicate the experience by travelling to this Jurong West Coffeeshop. Here, youâll find one of the best kolo mee and Sarawak laksa outside of Sarawak in JJ Sarawak Noodles. Though owner Madam Wong is not Sarawakian, both her Sarawak Noodle ($4/$5) and Sarawak Laksa ($5.50/$6.50) are true enough renditions of the original.
Using ingredients from Sarawak, the Sarawak Noodle comes with thick char siew, fattier-than-usual minced meat, and fried wonton. The Sarawak Laksa is also quite tasty and boasts an intense coconutty fragrance. The prawns are plump and add a natural sweetness to the dish.
Address: 3 Yung Sheng Road, #03-127, Taman Jurong Food Centre, Singapore 618499
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 6pm
Tel: 8245 1991
Website
JJ Sarawak Noodles is not a halal-certified eatery.Â
Although Singapore seems to be saturated with Hong Kong-style chee cheong fun stalls nowadays, its Malaysian counterpart does not seem to have caught on to the hype. If you havenât already, you should definitely visit Ipoh Curry Chee Cheong Fun for their Ipoh Curry Char Siew Chee Cheong Fun ($4.80). The rice rolls here are so remarkably thin that they resemble kway teow. Leaning sweet, the curry here only has a mild spiciness to it, though that is not to say that it is in any way less fragrant. You also get big chunks of char siew accompanying the chee cheong fun, plus some long beans, tau pok, and pig skin.Â
Check out our Ipoh Curry Chee Cheong Fun review.
Address: 1 Yishun Industrial Street 1, Staff Canteen Stall 10, Singapore 768160
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 8.30pm
Ipoh Curry Chee Cheong Fun is not a halal-certified eatery.
Klang-style bak kut teh comes in two versionsâin a bright herbaceous broth and in a dry, sweet-savoury soya sauce. Opt for the Dry Bak Kut Teh ($9.50 for small, $16.90 for large) when you visit Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh. Served in a claypot with ladiesâ fingers and garlic, the pork ribs are drenched in a treacly dark soya sauce. The sauce packs a punch, as itâs cooked with dry chilli, but it also has a hint of umami, due in part to the addition of dried cuttlefish.
Another Malaysian classicâfried porridgeâcan also be found here. The Pork Cutlet Fried Porridge ($8.50) sees the thick gruel fried till it emanates wok hei, before it is topped with thinly-sliced pork cutlet.
Check out our Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh review.
Website
Full list of locations
Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh is not a halal-certified eatery.Â
Although banana leaf rice originated from South India, the dish has also been widely popularised in Malaysia. Karuâs Indian Banana Leaf Restaurant serves up its dishes on banana leaves, and you can have your pick from the Chicken Masala (from $7.30+) to Mutton Curry (from $8.50+)Â or even their signature Fish Head (from $27+). If you donât eat meat, they have vegetarian options, too,
Address: 808/810 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 678144
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6762 7284
Website
Karuâs Indian Banana Leaf Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
Dry chilli ban mian has quickly risen up the ranks as one of Singaporeâs favourite dishes. A good bowl of pan mee, has got to be chewy, spicy, savoury, and umami. Owned by two KL-born hawkers, The Noodle Memories in Hong Lim Market and Food Centre serves up a mean bowl of ban mian. For only $5.50, the Specialty Dry Chilli Noodle ($5) is a must-try if youâre ever in the vicinity. Not only do you get a generous amount of minced meat, black fungus, fried shallots, chilli, vegetables and a poached egg, you also get a piece of the Handmade Fried Beancurd Skin ($4 for five pieces). The you mian here is handmade daily, giving it its wonderful springy texture.Â
Check out our The Noodle Memories review.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, #02-27, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, Singapore 051531
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7am to 4pm
Website
The Noodle Memories is not a halal-certified eatery.
Chicken rice balls might be a familiar sight if you visit Malacca often, but here in Singapore, the dish is a rare find. At Qi Lin Xuan Chicken Rice, the staff starts work as early as 4:30am, steaming rice with ginger and chicken stock, poaching and roasting the numerous whole chickens the team would get through in a dayâs work. We recommend getting the Soya Sauce Chicken Rice ($4), along with a couple more of their irresistible Chicken Rice Balls (price TBD). Drizzle some dark soya sauce and chilli over the rice balls to complement the richness of the rice.Â
Check out our Qi Lin Xuan Chicken Rice review.
Address: Block 442 Jurong West Avenue 1, #01-758, Singapore 640442
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 2pm
Website
Qi Lin Xuan Chicken Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @looklookeateat
Grab 10 Singaporeans on the streets and ask them what their favourite Singaporean dish is, and I guarantee at least one person would say âhokkien meeâ. If you canât decide between dry or wet, you should try Malaysian-style hokkien mee. $7.90++ at Daruma Tavern gets you a plate of their signature KL Dai Lok Mee, which is a darker, sweeter and stickier version of its Singaporean counterpart. Also fried with prawns and lard and served with a generous amount of sambal, the KL Dai Lok Mee ticks all the boxes for a sinful meal. Â
Address: 25 Springside Green, #01-14, The Brooks II, Singapore 786015
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 12am, Sat 9am to 12am, Sun 9am to 10:30pm
Tel: 9734 3484
Website
If thereâs a dish that Singaporeans will concede that Malaysia does better, it would probably be chendol. In spite of our best efforts, Malaccaâs chendol always seems to have a more refined sweetness and more pronounced fragrance. That said, Makan Melaka offers a pretty good alternative for when your chendol cravings hit. The traditional Cendol Melaka ($2) is made with gula melaka sourced from Malacca, and coconut milk thatâs freshly squeezed every single day. The chendol strips are also light and carry the aroma of pandan. If youâd like to, top your bowl of chendol with red bean ($0.50, corn ($0.50), durian ($1), and even glutinous rice ($0.50)!
Website | Full list of outlets
Makan Melaka is a Muslim-owned eatery.
Despite having been in Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre for only four years, Fu Shi Traditional Roasted has garnered a loyal following. The Char Siew ($6) here has a much darker hue, true to its being done according to the Kuala Lumpur style. The beautifully caramelised meat is not too fatty, and just about melts in your mouth without being too cloying. Fu Shi Traditional Roastedâs Roast Pork is also superior. The skin-to-meat ratio is just right, and the skin has an audible crunch.
Check out our Fu Shi Traditional Roasted review.
Address: 4 Woodlands Street 12, #01-01/02, Marsiling Mall Hawker Centre, Singapore 738623
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11am to 6pm
Tel: 9237 8157
Website
Fu Shi Traditional Roasted is not a halal-certified eatery.
ICYMI: JB-famous cake shop Xin Shan Bakery has opened its first overseas outlet in Singapore, right outside Chinatown MRT Station! The takeaway kiosk sells the brandâs popular seinyu rolls: âseinyuâ being a direct translation of çäčł (shÄng rÇ), which means milk. Fans love their Matcha ($6.50) or Dalgona Coffee ($6.50), both of which come with a rich, Royceâ-inspired nama-style chocolate middle. Their Yam Seinyu Slice ($6) is another highlight, especially if you love orh nee desserts.
Read our Xin Shan Bakery feature.
Address: 64 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059223
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 8pm
Website
Xin Shan Bakery is not a halal-certified eatery.
Malaysian food is great, but all-you-can-eat Malaysian food is even better. At Princess Terrace, enjoy a free flow of your favourite Penang dishes for only $60++ per person, available from 12pm to 2:30pm daily. Customise a bowl of Rojak and watch as your Popiah is rolled in front of you at the live stations. Sink your teeth into chopstick-tender Braised Pork Trotter and have your fill of Penang Chee Cheong Fun and Nasi Kuning. If you have a sweet tooth, you need to try the Assorted Nonya Kueh and Homemade Beancurd.
Address: 403 Havelock Road, Copthorne Kingâs Hotel Singapore on Havelock, Singapore 169632
Lunch buffet hours: Daily 12pm to 2:30pm
Tel: 6733 0011
Website
Princess Terrace Authentic Penang Food is not a halal-certified eatery.
The Coffee Code is a popular cafe from Sarawak thatâs just opened its first SG outlet in the heart of the city, along Neil Road. Here youâll find a unique Bak Kwa Waffles ($18+), a heart-shaped waffle topped with chicken bak kwa, chicken floss, cornflakes, and whipped cream. We recommend topping up $1+ for nian gao to add some chewy goodness to the sweet-savoury combination. If youâre here for the aesthetics, the cafe sports neutral-toned interiors and a cute outdoor dining area that looks straight out of Kinfolk, so you wonât be disappointed here!
Read our The Coffee Code review!
Address:Â 37 Neil Road, Singapore 088822
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11am to 10pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 11pm, Sun 10am to 10pm
Tel: 8208 9500
Website
The Coffee Code is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit:Â @myfoodsanctuary
Hereâs one reason to head to one-North: Soon Huat JB Bak Kut Teh, the famous BKT eatery from JB, has quietly set up shop in Mediapolis! This marks their first overseas outlet. Definitely try their Signature Bak Kut Teh (from $8+), known for its savoury-sweet flavours and herbal notes. If youâre visiting in a group, zhng up your meal with more sides, including Sesame Oil Chicken ($10+) and Braised Pork Trotters (from $8.50+). The latter is said to be melt-in-the-mouth tender with chewy skin.
Read our Soon Huat JB Bak Kut Teh coverage.
Address: 29 Media Circle, #01-01, North Tower, Alice@Mediapolis, Singapore 138565
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm, Sun 11am to 7:30pm
Tel: 6539 9282
Website
Soon Huat JB Bak Kut Teh is not a halal-certified eatery.
You can find legit Malaysian food in the heart of Orchard, at EatAlley, a food court with seven noteworthy stalls from KL. Look forward to Malaysian-style wonton noodles, Klang bak kut teh, pork soup and more!
Highlights include Koon Kee Wan Tan Mee thatâs been around since the 1940s. Order their signature Duo Combo Wanton Noodle ($10.80), which comes with char siew, chicken feet, and braised mushrooms. Thereâs also Kam Heong Braised Duck, which serves the Kam Heong Signature Set ($9.80): old-school braised duck, braised egg, salted vegetables, and butter rice. Donât forget to check out Hong Lai Hokkien Mee too, known as Kedai Kopi Dan Makanan Hong Lai in KL, for their KL Hokkien Mee ($9.80).
Check out our EatAlley review.
Address: 277 Orchard Road, Singapore 238858
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 9:30pm
Website
EatAlley is not a halal-certified food court.
Image credit:Â Kalaiselvan Thirugnasambandam
New to the Geylang food scene is Pontian MeiGui BBQ, a family-run business in JB thatâs been around since 1982. A five-minute walk from Aljunied MRT Station, their SG branch offers their signature Sambal Stingray ($5 per 100g): grilled stingray coated with their house-made sambal. Make sure you dip your stingray into their house-made cincalok, AKA fermented shrimp sauce. Their Sambal Sotong ($10), stir-fried with sambal and ladyâs finger, comes highly recommended too!
Check out our Pontian MeiGui BBQ feature!
Address: 121 Geylang East Central, #01-90, Singapore 380121
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 9008 0721
Website
Pontian MeiGui BBQ is not a halal-certified eatery.
Tampoi Ah B Wanton Mee, a long-queue stall in JB, has officially opened in Singapore. Conveniently located four minutes by foot from Aljunied MRT Station, the outpost offers the eateryâs signature Black Mee Kia Wonton Noodles ($4.50): springy egg noodles tossed in a dark soya sauce base, topped with slices of char siew and pork lard. They also serve Dry Wonton ($5), AKA ćčČæäșć (gĂ n lÄo yĂșn tĆ«n), too. Mixed in chilli oil and a secret sauce blend, these wonton make for the perfect sharing side!
Check out our Tampoi Ah B Wanton Noodles review.
Address: 5 Upper Boon Keng Road, #01-22, Singapore 380005âŁ
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 10am to 8pm
Ah B Wanton Noodles is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit:Â Kee Mei Siew Pow
Open since 1976, famous Seremban brand Kee Mei Siew Pow has recently set up shop in Singapore, along MacPherson Road. The brand boasts over 200 distributors across Malaysia, and is most known for their handmade shao bao, AKA Pork Siew Bao ($1.80). Each round features a baked crust with a meaty char siew filling. Youâll also find a nice assortment of bakes to choose from at this outlet, including Portuguese Tart ($1.80), Black Sesame Biscuit ($1.60), and Coconut Tart ($1.40).
Read our Kee Mei Siew Pow review.
Address: 498 MacPherson Road, Singapore 368202
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 8pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 8pm
Tel: 8939 2037
Kee Mei Siew Pow is not a halal-certified eatery.
Although these eateries might not be as cheap as their Malaysian counterparts, their authentic flavours will satiate your desires until you finally cross over to Johor Bahru again.
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