Julaiha Muslim Restaurant

Julaiha Muslim Restaurant is a casual Indian Muslim eatery at 538 MacPherson Road, in the MacPherson neighbourhood east of the city centre. It is best known for roti prata, the flaky flatbread that Singaporeans eat with curry. The menu goes well beyond prata, though, with more than 50 dishes.

The restaurant is family-run and has been serving on MacPherson Road since 1998. It is a popular place for supper, the late-night meal that many Singaporeans love. That makes it a good stop if you want a local meal after an evening out.

What to order

Start with the prata. Here it is folded thin, so it comes out light and crisp rather than heavy and doughy. Order it plain, which locals call kosong, or with egg or cheese. Then dip it in mutton or fish curry.

Once you have tried the prata, explore the rest of the menu:

• Kothu prata: prata chopped up and stir-fried, which makes a filling meal on its own
• Mutton biryani: spiced rice served with tender mutton
• Indian rojak: fried fritters, egg and vegetables with a sweet and spicy dip
• Fish head curry: a large dish that works best for a group
• Mutton soup: a warming bowl of spiced broth to go with bread

The kitchen also cooks fried noodles and a few Western dishes. To drink, order teh tarik, the frothy pulled milk tea. Teh halia, which is tea with ginger, is another favourite.

The setting

This is a simple, no-frills eatery rather than a formal restaurant. There are tables indoors and in an open-air section. Some diners prefer the open-air tables, as the indoor area can get warm. The mood is relaxed and unfussy.

Good to know before you go

• It is an easy place to eat well on a small budget.
• There is no official website, so call the restaurant if you need to check anything.
• Prata is best eaten hot, so order it when you are ready to eat.
• Come with friends if you want to try the fish head curry, as it is meant for sharing.

If you are new to local coffee shop drinks, our guide on how to order kopi is a useful start.

Nearby

MacPherson is next to the Geylang and Paya Lebar areas, which are known for their food. For Malay food and a market visit, head to Geylang Serai Market. Old Airport Road Food Centre is one of the city's best-known hawker centres. Browse more Indian restaurants or all restaurants in Geylang and Paya Lebar. On a budget? Our guide on how to eat cheaply in Singapore has more ideas.