Best Malay Food in Singapore

Head on over to Adam's Road Food Centre for the ultimate comfort food — Mee Soto Ayam ($3.50). Think aromatic, thick and flavourful broth with shredded chicken and yellow noodles with good bite, garnished with shallots and coriander. Add a Begedil ($1) and sambal kicap for extra oomphf. Also good is their sweet and savoury Tenderloin and Stomach Soup (S$8.50) that goes great with white rice.
Photo by Burppler Denise Ong

Easties, drop by Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre for a hearty breakfast of Mee Rebus ($2.50). Expect silky yellow noodles and a hard boiled egg in thick and luscious gravy that is sweet, spicy and nutty all at once. Also good is their robust and tasty Mee Soto with shredded chicken, lots of crunchy beansprouts and coriander. Burppler Veronica Phua recommends adding some of their 'lethal chilli sauce' for an elevated experience. Otherwise, opt for their peppery Chicken Porridge ($2.50) with Begedil ($0.50).
Photo by Burppler Cedric Lim

Located just behind the mosque on Kandahar Street, be prepared to queue when you come by for a Nasi Padang feast. Start with their super juicy Ayam Bakar ($10) served with an addictive sweet and spicy paste. Also order the must-try Tahu Telur ($6) that is fried to a perfect golden brown crisp while remaining moist on the inside and sits in a delectable sweet sauce. Complete the meal with their creamy Sayur Lodeh ($5). For maximum pleasure, request for their very special green chilli dip — fantastic when paired with white rice. Pro-tip: for a comfortable group dining experience, reserve a table in their air-conditioned space on the second floor!
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua

Situated just around the corner from Haji Lane is a no-frills lunch option. Grab your colleagues and come by for their Nasi Goreng Ayam ($6) that sees well-fried rice served alongside a large piece of crispy deep fried chicken. Burppler Veronica Phua recommends rotating between the three chilli options — a spicy, tangy “chicken rice chilli sauce”, a savoury belachan-based one and a pickled sliced green chilli option. If you're a fan of sambal belachan, go for their fragrant Nasi Goreng Kampong ($5.50).
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua

Keep this spot in mind for group outings. Go straight for the Nasi Ambeng ($29.90 for 2pax, $50.80 for 4 pax) that features a mountain of rice surrounded on all sides by bergedils, milky chicken curry and a succulent, slightly spicy rendang. Burppler Jayson Yeo recommends heading over before 8pm as the food sells out pretty early.
Photo by Burppler Vanessa Sng

You'll always find a queue here at lunch hour, but it's worth the wait. Having recently shifted to a bigger, more stylish space on Ann Siang Hill, their food has remained excellent. Be sure to have their signature Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah ($12.80) for fragrant and sinfully addictive coconut rice served with a perfectly crisp and juicy chicken leg accompanied by ikan bilis, peanuts, fried egg and a killer sambal. For dessert, share their Cendol ($3.80) for the perfect sweet finish.
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua

Westies, come by Pasir Panjang Food Centre for an affordable solution to your Lontong ($2) cravings. A feast for the eyes and the stomach — picture compressed rice cakes in a sweet creamy curry filled with an array of veggies and beancurd, topped with an egg and a spicy dried shrimp chilli garnish. Their Nasi Padang is also worth a try, with beef rendang going for just ($2.50) and crispy Chicken Wings for a dollar!
Photo by Burppler Maureen Ow

It's easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of good food at East Coast Lagoon Food Village. If you're looking to include a satay option to the mix, be sure to order the Mutton ($0.70 per stick) and Beef ($0.70 per stick) from Haron Satay 55. Thanks to the lemongrass in the marinade, the grilled meat carries an irrestible aroma. For maximum pleasure, dip it the creamy peanut sauce served on the side.
Photo by Burppler Julius Lim