Even through the craze over all things Nasi Lemak has died down somewhat, this humble dish of rice, chilli, meats, and ikan bilis and peanuts, is still a sambal-hot topic – where to find the best one, which version is the most authentic, and so on and so forth. Though we are willing to travel all over the island to scout out our personal faves – a few of the famous ones are located in far flung locations or deep in the heart of an HDB estate – sometimes, all we want is to just eat this comfort food, double time. Here are 5 Nasi Lemak specialists that are so easy to locate, you can skip that food delivery app and actually skip to, for a quick, convenient and cheap (yet satisfying) meal.
Ponggol Nasi Lemak
www.ponggolnasilemak.com.sg
What this Singapore Heritage Brand lacks in the number of outlets (it has 4), it more than makes up for with its variety of ala carte food items. While Ponggol Nasi Lemak does offer set menus (as stated on its website, including a vegetarian one with lady’s finger, brinjal and long beans), one of its strongest appeals lies in the choice it gives customers when it comes to customising their meals. Top picks to go with your Nasi Lemak: Fried Kunning Fish, Premium Cuttlefish Ball, Signature Premium Shrimp Floss, Signature Spicy Assam Squid, and Crispy Battered Large Fresh Prawn, amongst a list of other such yummy nosh.
Ponggol Nasi Lemak is at various locations.
Visit www.ponggolnasilemak.com.sg; www.facebook.com/Ponggolnasilemak; www.instagram.com/ponggolnasilemak
Lee Wee & Brothers
leeweebrothers.com
This Peranakan family business has grown from its humble Old Airport Road stall beginnings to its current big biz (it currently has 7 outlets, of which 6 are located in major shopping malls), based on its three signature food items: curry, otah and Nasi Lemak. For its sizeable lunch boxes, you can decide if you want meats such as fried 3-joint chicken wing, honey glazed chicken wing or even ebi tempura, to go with the sides of sambal chilli, fish cake, fish otah, ridge-cut cucumber slices and ikan bilis and peanuts. And if you don’t feel like having grains, you have the option of switching them out for bee hoon. Either way, it’s lemak!
Lee Wee & Brothers is at multiple locations.
Visit leeweebrothers.com; www.facebook.com/leeweebrothers; www.instagram.com/leeweebrothers
CRAVE
www.crave.com.sg
Fun fact 1: Its tagline “Original Adam Rd Nasi Lemak by Selera Rasa” refers to Selera Rasa (one of SG’s most recognised Nasi Lemak stalls) being Crave’s business partner. Which means you get the familiar crunchy ikan bilis and nuts, flavourful sambal chili and yes, the ever tasty bergedil along with the rice and meats. Plus, it does get creative with its Nasi Lemak sets: Fried mackerel and XXL Crispy Chicken with Salted Egg Sauce are two of its newer additions. Fun fact 2: It’s also known as “CRAVE Nasi Lemak & Teh Tahrik”. Why? Because alongside the food, it also serves thirst quenching teh tarik and teh halia by mamak drink stall Rafee’s Corner.
CRAVE is at multiple locations.
Visit www.crave.com.sg; www.facebook.com/CRAVEnasilemak; www.instagram.com/cravenasilemak
Qi Ji
qiji.com.sg
This is one of the largest chains listed here… and also one of the most convenient, as a majority of its outlets are found in shopping malls. There are 5 Nasi Lemak Bento sets available. Depending on the set you want, you can have egg (done sunny-side up or as omelette slices), cuttlefish fish fillet, coin-shaped otah and tempura fish, amongst other options to go along with your pandan coconut rice and crispy ikan bilis and peanuts, served with a dollop of Qi Ji’s signature sambal chilli. Plus, there are also other signature dishes such as Popiah, Laksa Prawn and Mee Siam if the family or you want more variety.
Qi Ji is at multiple locations.
Visit qiji.com.sg; www.facebook.com/QiJiSingapore
OLDTOWN White Coffee
OLDTOWN White Coffee | F & B Outlets | SAFRA
Missed all the great food you can find in Malaysia? Then travel to an OLDTOWN White Coffee outlet to enjoy an awesome selection of Malaysian food and beverage. One of their signature must-tries is their Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken, a generous serving of pandan coconut rice with crispy ikan bilis, peanuts, crackers and topped with sunny side up egg, this delicious plate is accompanied by a piece of chicken deep-fried to perfection. So good!
BONUS: SAFRA members can enjoy 5% off with minimum spend of $10 and 10% off with minimum spend of $20.
OLDTOWN White Coffee is at SAFRA Jurong, 333 Boon Lay Way, Singapore 649848.
Visit www.facebook.com/OldTownWhiteCoffeeSingapore/; OLDTOWN White Coffee | F & B Outlets | SAFRA
Featured image: Lee Wee & Brothers
