Malay Restaurants in Singapore

A guide to Malay restaurants in Singapore

Malay food is a key part of Singapore's local cooking, alongside Chinese, Indian and Peranakan food. The Malay restaurants in Singapore on this list are mostly simple, casual places. Expect rice dishes, rich curries, sambal chilli paste and smoky grilled satay. Prices are usually low, and meals are quick.

What is Malay food?

Malays are one of the main communities in Singapore. Their cooking uses coconut milk, chilli, lemongrass, shallots and galangal, a root similar to ginger. Many dishes also use belacan, a fermented shrimp paste. Curries are often slow-cooked until the sauce is thick and rich.

Malay food in Singapore shares much with Indonesian cooking, especially the Minangkabau food of West Sumatra. Note that Malay is not the same as Malaysian. Malay refers to the community and its food. For food from the country next door, see Malaysian.

Dishes to order

Nasi lemak

Nasi lemak is rice cooked in coconut milk. It comes with sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, egg and cucumber. Add fried chicken, fried fish or beef rendang. Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak is in the Newton & Novena area. The Coconut Club is in Bugis & Kampong Glam, and Ponggol Nasi Lemak is in Katong & Joo Chiat. See Nasi Lemak for more.

Nasi padang

Nasi means rice, and Padang is a city in West Sumatra, Indonesia. You get a plate of rice, then point at the dishes you want from a glass counter. Good picks include beef rendang, curried vegetables, fried chicken and sambal goreng, a spicy mix often made with tempeh and tofu. You pay for each dish you choose.

Rumah Makan Minang and Warong Nasi Pariaman serve nasi padang in Bugis & Kampong Glam. Hjh Maimunah is a Malay restaurant in the same area. See Nasi Padang for more.

Satay

Satay is meat on skewers, grilled over charcoal and served with peanut sauce. It often comes with ketupat, which are rice cakes cooked in woven palm leaves. Raw onion and cucumber are served on the side. Stalls usually sell satay by the stick. Haron 30 Satay and Alhambra Padang Satay are in the East Coast & Bedok area. Kwong Satay is in Geylang & Paya Lebar. See Satay for more.

Other dishes to try

• Mee rebus: yellow noodles in a thick, sweet gravy made with sweet potato.
• Mee soto: noodles in a spiced chicken broth.
• Lontong: rice cakes in a mild vegetable curry with coconut milk.
• Kuih: small sweet cakes, often made with rice flour, coconut and palm sugar.

For a longer list, read Malay Hawker Dishes to Know Before You Order.

Where to eat Malay food

Bugis & Kampong Glam is a good place to start. Kampong Glam is the historic Malay and Muslim quarter of the city. Visit Sultan Mosque, then eat at a nasi padang shop nearby. Dress modestly at the mosque and follow the visiting rules for guests.

Geylang Serai, in the east, has long been a centre of Malay life. Geylang Serai Market has a food centre with many Malay stalls. During Ramadan, the area holds a large evening bazaar before the Hari Raya Puasa festival. See Hari Raya for festival tips.

Tips for eating Malay food

• Check halal status. Many Malay food stalls serve halal food, but not every place on this list is halal-certified. If you eat halal, look for the MUIS halal certificate at the stall. Read Halal Food for more.
• Use your right hand. Some locals eat rice with the fingers of the right hand. A spoon and fork are always fine too.
• Go early. Nasi padang dishes are cooked in the morning. Popular ones may run out by late afternoon.
• Respect Ramadan. During the fasting month, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset. Some stalls change their opening hours then.
• Know rough costs. A hawker plate of nasi lemak or nasi padang often costs around S$4 to S$10. Prices change, so check at the stall.

FAQs about Malay restaurants in Singapore

What is the difference between Malay and Malaysian food?

Malay food is the cooking of the Malay community, found in Singapore, Malaysia and nearby countries. Malaysian food covers all the cuisines of Malaysia, including Chinese and Indian dishes.

Is all Malay food halal?

No. Many Malay stalls serve halal food, but not all are certified. Look for the MUIS halal certificate if this matters to you.

Is Malay food spicy?

Some dishes are. Sambal chilli paste can be hot, but it is often served on the side. Rendang and satay are rich rather than very spicy.

What is the best time to eat nasi padang?

Lunch is best. The full range of dishes is out, and the food is freshly cooked.