Nasi lemak is one of Singapore’s national culinary darlings. After all, it never fails to entice us with its aromatic rice steamed with coconut milk, which is often paired with egg, sambal, ikan bilis, and either fish or chicken on the side. We’ve listed down some of the best nasi lemak places in Singapore to fulfil your cravings for the delicious traditional dish.
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for delicious nasi lemak in Orchard, then Kampung Nasi Lemak at Eatalley, Orchardgateway, should be your go-to. Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Kampung Nasi Lemak is a stall that insists on keeping things old-school. The owner, affectionately known as Fatty, makes the coconut rice in a wooden steamer. This steamer allows aromatics like ginger, pandan leaves and lemongrass to better infuse into the rice for extra fragrance.
Try their signature Nasi Lemak With Ayam Rempah ($9.80), where their lemak rice is topped with ikan bilis, fried peanuts, sliced cucumbers, a sunny-side-up egg, and a piece of fried chicken thigh, AKA ayam rempah. We liked the light crispy skin of the ayam rempah, and the juicy chicken meat within, perfumed with robust notes of shallot and ginger. We especially loved how the lemak rice paired with the belacan-rich sambal. Hot tip: you can even ask for rendang gravy to be drizzled on the rice for no extra charge!
We also recommend getting the Nasi Lemak with Sambal Cockles ($8.80). This dish—which features larger-than-average cockles stir-fried with onions and a sweet, aromatic chilli sauce—can be hard to find in Singapore.
Kampung Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak is one of the most popular stalls in Changi Village Hawker Centre, and for good reason. Their coconut milk-infused basmati rice pairs exceptionally well with the spicy-sweet sambal that is served on the side. Prices are affordable too, starting from $4 for Set D, which comes with mackerel otah, egg, and ikan bilis, or Set B, with its crispy fish fillet instead of the piquant otah. If price is not a concern, go for Set F ($6), which has juicy chicken drumstick to go with your coconut rice.
Read our Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak feature.
Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Even though they’re open well into the wee hours of the morning, Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak doesn’t disappoint with their fresh ingredients, which are kept piping hot. Their chicken wings are a must-try, as these are well-marinated and then deep-fried to crispy, juicy perfection. Their Chicken Set ($4.50), which comes with a chicken wing, fried egg, ikan bilis, sambal and cucumber. Alternatively, you can opt for their jumbo Dulang Set ($30) to share with a plus one. This comes packed with a chicken wing, selar fish, fish fillet, fried egg, fresh cucumbers, and one otah.
Website | Full list of outlets
Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak is a Muslim-owned eatery.
A favourite amongst NSFs and army regulars alike, Chong Pang Nasi Lemak sets itself apart by operating like a cai fan stall. Boasting a wide array of dishes daily, the stall gives its customers full rein over the customisation of the dish.
Apart from your usual fried chicken wings and ikan kuning, you can also order other side dishes such as lady’s fingers, long beans, and hashbrowns to go with your meal. Their house-made sambal is also a star ingredient, boasting a sweet and nutty flavour that complements the fragrant coconut rice.
Chong Pang Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery.
Ponggol Nasi Lemak has become a household name in Singapore, thanks to their chicken drumsticks that are freshly fried to a crisp. Pair it with their sambal, which has just the right level of spice that is both tolerable and complementary to the overall meal. They also fry their eggs such that only the edges of the whites are browned, leaving the yolk runny. To level up your meal, you can choose to add side dishes like otah, luncheon meat, and stir-fried lady’s fingers.
Website | Full list of outlets
Ponggol Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery.
Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak makes this dish a lil’ differently from the rest; they use long-grain basmati rice instead of jasmine rice. As a result, their version is light and fluffy, pairing well with the sweet sambal. Prices here begin from $4 for a Regular Meal that comes with basic ingredients such as ikan bilis, egg, coconut rice, cucumber slices, and sambal. If you’re feeling especially hungry, go for their Royal Rumble ($7), which packs a fried chicken wing, ikan kuning, otah, and fluffy begedil.
Adam Food Centre outlet
AMK 603 Coffee Shop outlet
Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Located right beside Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak, No. 1 Adam’s Nasi Lemak’s speciality is its tender and juicy mutton rendang, which comes in a thick and sweet gravy. You can savour the mutton rendang as part of Adam’s Special ($8), where you’ll also find deep-fried chicken wings, begedil, fried egg, anchovies, peanuts, fresh cucumber slices, and sambal. There’s also the Sutra Special ($6.50), which swaps the mutton rendang out for chunky otah.
No. 1 Adam’s Nasi Lemak is a Muslim-owned eatery.
The Coconut Club offers their Signature Ayam Goreng Berempah Nasi Lemak at $21++. Don’t let the price deter you from trying out this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, though, as they’re generous with their serving portions and fry up their chicken thighs to tender, juicy perfection. The rice is a winner, as it’s cooked with special coconut milk that gives it a delicate aroma. Round off your meal with a serving of their Chendol ($9++), which strikes a fine balance between the creaminess of the coconut milk and the sweetness of the gula melaka.
Check out our The Coconut Club feature.
Website | Full list of outlets
The Coconut Club is not a halal-certified eatery.
The lady boss of Bali Nasi Lemak, Ms Susan Koh, has been serving this beloved dish for more than 30 years. She was also featured on Channel 8’s Tuesday Report for her tireless work. Here, the nasi lemak toppings are displayed in an array of trays like a cai fan stall, so you can choose to add as many as you like! You can swap out the classic egg and ikan kuning combo for their signature dishes such as Kicap Manis Chicken Wing ($2), Sambal Petai ($3), or Curry Chicken (from $3.50).
Bali Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery.
Mention Fong Seng Nasi Lemak at Clementi, and chances are most NUS students would have visited this eatery for late-night supper outings. Your dish is fully customisable here, allowing you to pick and choose among classic ingredients such as Chicken Wing ($2) and Kunning Fish ($0.80), along with other less common dishes such as Chicken Luncheon Meat ($1.90) and Teriyaki Saba Fish (from $3). Prices here start from $4.70 for a hearty nasi lemak set filled with fragrant coconut rice and a few ingredients. FYI, they’ve also got another outlet along Pasir Panjang Road, with varying prices.
Clementi outlet
Pasir Panjang outlet
Fong Seng Nasi Lemak is a halal-certified eatery.
Aliff Nasi Lemak is yet another place that uses basmati rice in its platters. The rice is cooked with freshly squeezed coconut milk and pandan leaves, giving you fragrant, delicious rice that is light on the palate. Prices at their original Serangoon Garden Market outlet start from $4.20 for Set D, which comes with rice, egg, otah, ikan kuning, ikan bilis, and sambal. You can also opt to choose your own ingredients, with a platter coming with ikan kuning, chicken wings, and begedil as sides, amounting to slightly more than $5. They’ve also got another outlet at Kaki Bukit 511 Market & Food Centre, which offers a more streamlined menu.
Serangoon Garden Market outlet
Kaki Bukit outlet
Aliff Nasi Lemak is a Muslim-owned eatery.
Otah might be in the name of Tan Beng Otah Delights, but that’s not all they sell. Their rice is served atop banana leaves. Prices begin from just $2 for a basic packet with ikan bilis, peanuts, and rice. You can choose to add their signature Otah ($0.80) to your meal, which is freshly wrapped and filled with a mixture of mackerel meat and spices.
Tan Beng Otah Delights is not a halal-certified eatery.
Operating just like your regular ol’ cai fan stall, Mount Faber Nasi Lemak allows you to choose the dishes to pair with the coconutty rice, such as otah, sayur lodeh, braised eggplant, and fried fish balls. If you’re overwhelmed by the choices available, fret not as they also have set meals. The Chicken Wing Set ($6.30) is the simplest of the lot, coming with a fried chicken wing, long beans, an egg, ikan bilis, peanuts, and sambal. The set comes with a cup of their Signature Lime Juice With Sour Plum.
Mount Faber Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
If you’re craving unorthodox side dishes, head down to Lawa Bintang. Here, you can order a whole grilled squid, barramundi, and even a lobster to accompany your platter of fragrant coconut rice. Their Lobster Nasi Lemak ($25) is the star item on their menu, boasting a huge lobster coated with ground herbs and cheese. Alongside it are sweet basmati rice, fried egg, peanuts, ikan bilis, and sambal.
Lawa Bintang is a Muslim-owned eatery.
Tucked away in an industrial building in Bendemeer, Kitchenman Nasi Lemak is another spot that has made it to the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. They’ve got several dishes on the menu, including the satisfyingly spicy Nasi Lemak Sambal Fried Fish ($13.30) and the Nasi Lemak Ayam Kunyit ($13.80), which comes with fragrant turmeric chicken. But when we visited, the star of the show was the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah Leg ($13.80), featuring fluffy coconut rice with ikan bilis, roasted peanuts, cucumber, a sunny-side-up egg, sambal belachan, and a succulent and crispy spiced fried chicken leg.
Read our Kitchenman Nasi Lemak review.
Kitchenman Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Nestled in a kopitiam in Jurong West is Latiffa Huri, where their star item is their nasi lemak. A standard plate comprising fried egg, chicken wing, ikan kuning, and otah will cost you just $4.50, and you’re free to customise the meal with the other sides available. Aside from nasi lemak, the stall also offers dishes such as Mee Rebus ($3), Mee Siam ($3), and Lontong ($3.50), and we hear that those are worth a shot as well.
Latiffa Huri is a Muslim-owned eatery.
So Lemak at Bedok Town Centre is an East-side spot that’s owned by a Culinary Institute of America graduate. Prices start from $4.80 for a Grilled Otah Set, which comes with fragrant coconut-infused rice, a thick piece of smoky otah, a sunny-side-up egg, peanuts, ikan billis, and cucumber slices. Pair it with their signature Har Cheong Wings ($11 for five/$17 for eight), featuring crispy wings that boast tender meat on the inside.
Check out our So Lemak review.
So Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery.
Fans of nasi lemak would’ve at least heard of Dickson Nasi Lemak. On the menu are six types of nasi lemak, including Beef Rendang ($11.40+), Chicken Rendang ($10.40+), and Ayam Goreng Berempah, available with a spiced fried Chicken Wing ($7.80+), Boneless Chicken Thigh ($9.60+), or Chicken Leg ($11.80). Each plate comes with your usual sides, too, including anchovies, peanuts, a fried egg, and their house-made sweet-spicy sambal.
Read our Dickson Nasi Lemak feature.
Website | Full list of outlets
Dickson Nasi Lemak is in the process of getting halal-certified.
Wild Coco has been making waves for their nasi lemak dishes reminiscent of those of The Coconut Club. The Nasi Lemak Sambal Fried Fish ($18.90++) comes highly recommended for fish lovers, with sweet and firm flesh that is contrasted with crispy skin. Made from freshly sliced chillies, the house-made sambal is thicker and less sweet than other places. Another equally tasty option is the Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah Leg ($17.90++). The crispy and juicy chicken leg is perfumed with notes of ginger and lemongrass, and goes well with the sambal.
Read our Wild Coco review.
Website | Full list of outlets
Wild Coco is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Another Michelin-recognised franchise, Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang’s excellent rice dishes can be found across the country, with the most famous outlet located in Yishun Park Hawker Centre. Prices go a little higher at their Plaza Singapura outlet, with the Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang costing $8.50. It comes with its zesty sambal chilli, succulent chicken leg, fragrant coconut rice, ikan bilis and more. This flavorful nasi lemak is sure to leave an impression. If you prefer a sweet and spicy option, go for the Nasi Lemak Sambal Colo Colo Set ($8.50), featuring a juicy chicken leg that’s topped with black sweet chilli sauce. Do note that prices may vary depending on the outlet you visit.
Website | Full list of outlets
Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang is a Muslim-owned eatery.
Husk Nasi Lemak serves fusion nasi lemak that ticks the following boxes: fluffy and fragrant coconut rice, delicious ingredients, and punchy house–made sambal. Be sure to check out the Signature Chicken Cutlet Set ($10.80), which features a sizeable slab of fried-to-order chicken cutlet, coconut rice, peanuts and ikan bilis, and of course, a good serving of sambal. The Grilled Chicken Set ($10.80) is where the fusion label comes in, as it features moo ping-inspired chicken.
Read our Husk Nasi Lemak review.
Husk Nasi Lemak is a halal-certified eatery.
Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak is a Malaysian-style nasi lemak stall in Amoy Street Food Centre that’s said to rival the aforementioned Coconut Club. That’s high praise indeed, but we thought it was well deserved. Just try the Aromatic Chicken ($6.50) to see for yourself: it stars a large, whole chicken leg that’s marinated overnight in a rempah of eight ingredients such as aromatic garlic, ginger, onion, lemongrass, cumin, and coriander seeds. Of course, it comes with your usual nasi lemak components, including fragrant rice, ikan bilis, sambal, cucumbers, and a perfectly fried egg.
Read our Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak review.
Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Unlike all the other spots on this list, Tanglin Cookhouse offers an a la carte nasi lemak buffet, available from Monday to Wednesday, 11am to 8pm. Priced at $29.90++ per person, the 90-minute Lemak & Co. buffet gets you unlimited plates of spiced Tumeric Coconut Rice alongside a wide selection of sides, including their ultra-tender Braised Beef Rendang, crispy Ayam Goreng Berempah, and Sambal Barramundi with Cinalok, the latter starring pan-seared barramundi served with a spicy house-made sambal and cinalok relish. Do note that the buffet is only available at their Tanglin Mall outlet.
Read our Tanglin Cookhouse Lemak & Co. feature.
Tanglin Cookhouse is not a halal-certified eatery.
Pak Mandor Nasi Lemak isn’t just considered one of the better stalls of its kind in the North—fans consider it one of the best in the country. A plate here starts from $5 and features green nasi lemak rice that’s fluffy and fragrant, crunchy ikan billis and peanuts, juicy chicken wings and more. Like most good nasi lemak stalls, the sambal here is said to be lip-smacking good, with well-balanced sweet and spicy notes.
Read our Pak Mandor Nasi Lemak feature.
Pak Mandor Nasi Lemak is a Muslim-owned eatery.
Located at Alexandra Village, Straits Club serves up Malaysian-style nasi lemak at its popular takeaway-only kiosk. Go for the signature Boneless Berempah Chicken Nasi Lemak ($9.90) here, starring fragrant coconut rice, ayam goreng berempah, AKA spiced fried chicken, ikan billis, peanuts, cucumber, and a silky poached egg—a switch-up from the usual fried egg. When we tried their fried chicken at their previous One-North outlet, we found the fried chicken particularly aromatic, with its deep-fried battered bits making the dish extra satisfying.
Check out our Straits Club review.
Straits Club is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
If you’re looking to try something different, head to Roasted Pork Belly Nasi Lemak at Hougang Haianese Village Centre for their sio bak nasi lemak. Priced at $5.50, their signature Pork Belly Nasi Lemak pairs fluffy coconut rice with crispy and juicy slices of pork belly, alongside ikan bilis, peanuts, sambal, and a runny fried egg. You also get a side of their house-made green chilli sauce for a tangy, spicy finish.
Read our Roasted Pork Belly Nasi Lemak review.
Roasted Pork Belly Nasi Lemak is not a halal-certified eatery.
This local dish can be found all over Singapore, but the best may not be as easy to find. With this guide on hand, you’ll be able to narrow your options down to a good place near you, and tuck into a hearty plate of nasi lemak.
For more local eats, check out our ranking of the best chicken rice in Singapore. Otherwise, read our guide to the best stalls with dishes that are $3 or less, including prawn mee, orh luak and more.
This post was brought to you by EatAlley.
McDonald's Spicy Tomato Burger is back for a limited time! The burger is available in…
Burnt Cones just opened an outlet in the CBD at IOI Central Boulevard, near Downtown…
Popular Hong Kong chain Itacho Sushi has closed down all its remaining outlets in Singapore,…
Check out our Raffles Place food guide, where you'll find everything from salad bowls and…
Here are the best Mount Austin JB cafes for the best matcha drinks, all-day brunch,…
Whether you're celebrating a special day, hanging out with mom, or just having a HTHT…