Kitchenman Nasi Lemak

Kitchenman Nasi Lemak is a small Malaysian shop in CT Hub, an industrial building on Kallang Avenue. It focuses on one dish: nasi lemak, the coconut rice plate that many people call Malaysia's national dish.

The Malaysian owner opened the shop in 2024, and the chef is also from Malaysia. It quickly won a Bib Gourmand, and it holds one in the MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2026. The Bib Gourmand marks good cooking at a fair price.

What to order

Every plate starts with coconut rice scented with pandan. Alongside it you get fried anchovies and peanuts, an egg, cucumber and a hot sambal. One local food review liked the sambal for its lingering heat.

Then choose what goes with it. Options include:

• Ayam goreng berempah: a fried chicken leg seasoned with a house-made spice paste.
• Rendang chicken: chicken cooked in a thick, spiced sauce.
• Ayam kunyit: pieces of chicken flavoured with turmeric.
• Sambal fried fish: fried fish coated in sambal, sold on its own or with coconut rice.

New to the dish? Our guide to Malay hawker dishes explains nasi lemak and the usual sides.

The setting

This is a simple, casual shop. It takes up a fairly small unit on the ground floor of CT Hub. The Michelin Guide notes that it is air-conditioned, which helps on a hot day.

One local food review says the small space can get very crowded at lunch, so expect a full room then.

Good to know before you go

• Go early: popular items, such as the rendang chicken, can sell out.
• Bookings: the Michelin Guide says to contact the shop directly if you want a table.
• Payment: the Michelin Guide notes that credit cards are not accepted, so have another way to pay.
• Takeaway: you can order online for pickup or delivery on the official ordering page.

Getting there

CT Hub is at 2 Kallang Avenue. Bendemeer MRT station is about a three-minute walk away. The Michelin Guide also lists a car park, which helps if you are driving.

Nearby

Kitchenman sits a little east of Jalan Besar. In the Jalan Besar shophouse streets, you can try dim sum at Sum Dim Sum or coffee at Chye Seng Huat Hardware. Little India's sights, such as the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, are a short ride away.

See more hawker favourites or all places to eat in Little India and Jalan Besar. On a budget? Read our tips on eating cheaply in Singapore.