Singapore Food: Introducing Nasi Lemak
Hi everyone,
In my previous posts, while sharing about my life and online business, I sometimes (ok ... ALWAYS ... hahaha) shared about foods I had during my day. And the response to the foods have been favorable. So, I thought: why not share more about the foods in Singapore?
And here it is: the birth of my 1st post about foods I eat in Singapore. Starting with a popular local choice: Nasi Lemak.
All photos here taken by me. Above is the nasi lemak takeaway I had just this morning. Bought at a nearby food stall. Price: SGD$3 only.
What is Nasi Lemak?
Nasi Lemak is a Malay cuisine. It's popular in Singapore, Malaysia and Southern Thailand.
It is made up of:
Fragrant Coconut Rice: The base of the dish is rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, which gives it a rich and creamy flavor.
An array of sides: Traditionally, nasi lemak is served with fried anchovies, cucumber slices, a hard-boiled or fried egg, and roasted peanuts. These days, variations include fried chicken (wing or drumstick), curries, and other accompaniments.
Spicy Sambal: A dollop of spicy sambal, a chilli paste, adds a fiery kick to the dish.
Literally translated, "nasi lemak" means "fatty rice," but it refers to the richness of the coconut milk rather than being excessively oily.
A standard dish of nasi lemak served at a cafe. Costs around SGD$6.50.
Where to Buy Nasi Lemak in Singapore?
In Singapore, it is available at hawker centers, cafes and some restaurants.
A takeaway nasi lemak from another stall near my place. Notice the paper wrap used for packing the meal. This set costs SGD$4.50 only.
How Much Does Nasi Lemak Cost in Singapore?
The prices are cheaper at hawker centers and progressively higher at cafes and restaurants.
As mentioned above, the stall near my home, which is in the heartlands, costs only SGD$3 to SGD$4.50 (depending on which stall you buy from). At some cafes, it can cost from SGD$7 (depending on your choice of sides). At restaurants, the price is much higher.
The above is a variation of nasi lemak where they serve it with blue pea rice. Blue pea rice is rice cooked and flavoured with blue pea flower. The blue pea flower colors the rice blue. The above was bought at Chili Padi Restaurant and costs about SGD$7.
The other variation here is they serve it with an omelet rather than the usual boiled or fried egg.
How to Eat Nasi Lemak?
Traditionally, Nasi Lemak is eaten with your hands. If you are in Singapore and would likek to eat like a local, here's a guide on how to enjoy this delicious dish with your hands:
Wash your hands: This is especially important since you'll be using your hands to eat.
Mix it up!: This is where the magic happens. The idea is to get all the flavorful components together in each bite. Use your hand to gently mix the rice, sambal, and other ingredients together on the banana leaf (yes, some places, mostly restaurants serve it on banana leaves), paper wrap or plate.
Enjoy! Take a big bite and savor the symphony of flavors - the rich coconut rice, the spicy sambal, the coolness of the cucumber, and the saltiness of the anchovies.
You can opt for eating with utensils, a spoon and a fork. I always use utensils when eating nasi lemak. I have not learned how to enjoy eating using my hands.
When Locals Usually Eat Nasi Lemak?
Nasi lemak is yummy and can be enjoyed for breakfast or any time of day. Singaporeans mostly have it for breakfast or lunch. There is a popular restaurant that sells it during late hours for those who have a craving for nasi lemak, late at night till the early hours of the morning.
Final Thoughts
Always enjoy good food. When I was battling cancer, I came upon the realization to enjoy good food when we can. I wrote this in my book, Shifting Paradigms:
"life's pleasures should never be sacrificed on the altar of caution" - Shifting Paradigms - A Cancer Survivor's Journey of Holistic Healing, Timotheus Lee
I hope you enjoyed this blog post? Let me know if you have any comments or questions about nasi lemak?
I wish you happy eating!
Tim
Recent Comments
58
I love cooking, and I especially love reading about foods from other nations. One of my favorite TV shows is Uncharted with Gordon Ramsey. I love it because he showcases native cuisine from all around the world.
This looks really good. Thanks for sharing.
Nancy
Thanks Nancy 🙏
Glad you enjoyed this post. I'll do my best to write about more foods from Singapore.
I believe Gordon did a series featuring foods from this region too. Hope u watched it?
Nasi lemak is very yummy! One of my favourite foods in Singapore. 😊👍
Would you make an attempt to cook this dish? 😁
Tim
Absolutely! I find experimenting with new foods fun. I also like to add my touch to recipes, making them multiple times and changing things around.
Nancy
I've had this Tim, I'm sure. I can remember the eggs and chicken and the little fish. Delicious. Just along the way was a stall that sold something called stink fruit, began with a letter D, I think. I didn't try that.
They were a good crowd in SG. And most of them supported Manchester United, I was born near the football Manchester United ground at Old Trafford. One day they all came into work dressed in red and white shirts (Man U colours)
I miss them.
Keep on looking after yourself old pal.
Bux
So are you a lifelong Man Utd fan like me Bux??
I think the name of the stinky fruit is "durian", it does smell disgusting but... if you get past that it doesn't taste half bad actually!!
Durian, that was it. No, I didn't taste it, the smell was enough.
I was born just half a mile from Manchester United stadium, so no choice but to follow the home team. We could hear the crowds from the house and my grandmother worked there as a tea lady.
My grandfather had a barbers shop and apparently, the occasional footballer came in for a haircut, from Man City as well as Man Utd. Maine Road wasn't too far away.
Its a lot different there now.
Bux
The creamy custardy flesh isn't that bad Bux, just stick a clothes peg on your nose whilst eating it!!
I ate them all the time in Brazil!
A lifelong Utd fan then, great to hear! It's just a shame about the huge decline since Fergie left...
Things will improve soon though.. maybe!
Times have certainly changed buddy!!
I didn’t have much choice over allegiances to football clubs. Everyone in Prestage Street was a reds fan.
It is delicious. 😋
Oh durian! A very yummy fruit! 😋 👍
Thanks buddy. Pls take care of yourself too.
Tim
Most of my mates I played football with in the mid 80's chose Liverpool as they were the most successful then, but a couple of us went for UTD...
The next couple of decades weren't too shabby!!
Obviously I supported Exeter City as well!
Have a great start to the weekend buddy!!
Yes, Man Utd went through a low period. To be honest, I much prefer to watch a good match, be entertained, regardless of winners.
That's why I follow the Italian rugby team. They are good to watch, its just that they don't win very often.
Enjoy the weekend, Nick. Long weekend next week for Easter. Fingers crossed on the weather.
Absolutely Bux, I love to be entertained as well!
Unfortunately, as it a long weekend next week for Easter, the PSIL will most likely be here again which puts a bit of a dampner on me enjoying myself!!
I hope it will snowing by then buddy!!
Go find a party somewhere Nick. Go on a walking holiday - from the hotel room to the hotel bar.
I might just have to do that Bux!
Or, I could go in the opposite direction and stay at her place in Geneva whilst she is here!!
I've done it before!!
That is something I could never do Bux!
There is something wrong with me.... I just can't sleep if I know there is mess in the kitchen!
Anywhere else in the house is fine, but I cannot sleep unless the kitchen is spotless!
Maybe I need to see the quack about this!!
That's true.
At the same time, I've known many haters who eventually love it. All it took was one try. Really try and taste it. And they are hooked. My brother is one of them. hahaha
Tim
That's exactly how I am Nick. The kitchen is cleaned as soon as I've eaten and everything put away. All the cups have a place, correct orientation. Oil and sauce bottles lined up in order so the labels can be read. You know how it is.
My father was the exact opposite. He never washed up, never cleaned, he didn't know how to make toast (seriously). If mum was away, he lived on fish and chips and left the plates and wrappers for mum to clear up when she was back.
He could strip and rebuild a V6 engine, but couldn't use a dish cloth.
Absolutely Tim, people shouldn't be put off by the smell...
Just tuck in and they might be surprised!!
I know EXACTLY what you mean Bux!
I have been trying to teach the wife this for... 18 years now (damn time flies by) but... everytime she's been in the kitchen it looks like a hurricane has swept through!!
Your father sounds a lot like mine! He completely builds vintage cars from scratch as a hobby but I can't ever remember him washing a dish in the kitchen!!
Nick, you replied to Tim with ...
Absolutely Tim, people shouldn't be put off by the smell...
Just tuck in and they might be surprised!!
I said no thank you.
Now I get you buddy, I thought you were answering my last comment to you!!
It certainly gets confusing when we have more than one conversation going on at the same time!
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Always love to read about different foods Tim!
I'm sure I have tried Nasi Lemak before at some Asian food market somewhere!!
Keep them coming buddy!! :-)
there are some damn good Asian foods about.
There are indeed Bux, and some very good ones in Sao Paolo...
The wife is half Korean, so we always frequented the best Asian places over there with her father...
He was extremely disappointed when he came to live we us here though.... the quality of Asian eateries in France is unfortunately very, very low!!
I must sleep buddy, catch up soon ok!!
👍😴
Thanks Nick! 🙏
Glad you're enjoying my food post. Did you like nasi lemak?
Will write more food posts. I'm encouraged! 😁
Indeed there are 😁
It was a few years ago, Tim. As I recall it was a very welcome lunchtime snack. I remember going to an indoor market where Jaz bought a "genuine Rolex fake" watch for 20 SGD. That's how it was advertised "genuine Rolex fake". Believe it or not, it is still working and keeps time to the second.
Some good times.
You're most welcome Tim!
And I think I enjoyed it, but it must have been a while back now!
Keep the food posts coming buddy! :-)
A "genuine fake", love it Bux!!
🤣🤣
Its true Nick. that's what it said on the sign, apparently that made him legal. And its a cracking watch. Looks genuine, feels genuine. An expert would know straight away. It still keeps perfect time, and Jaz wears it every day for work.
Made him legal!! That's even better!!
As long as it does the job it was intended for then it's a win win all round I'd say!
Enjoy the start of the weekend buddy! :-)
He couldn't go wrong at just 20 dollars.
Definitely not, sounds like the steal of the century!!
I was going to buy one, but thought it would be a load of rubbish. I wish now that I'd bought a dozen.
At that price you should've bought a suitcase full of them Bux!
But it could've caused a few issues getting back through customs though!!
Glad you enjoyed the nasi lemak, my friend.
Ah yes, the fake branded goods. Last when I traveled often, many people in this region buy them from Thailand. Not sure where is the go-to country now.
Tim
I will, buddy.
Watch for them. :)
Tim
True. I got stopped once bringing a big bag of tea back from India. Mum wanted a real bag of genuine Indian tea, and what mum wants, mum gets. Heathrow customs thought they'd hit the weed jackpot.
Will do Tim!! :-)
Hahaha! I've had a few experiences like that Bux, but I won't go into detail here!!
You can tell me about them over a beer (or two)
A beer or two?? It will take a lot longer than that Bux!!
👍🤣🍻🍻
Typo alert, sorry, I didn't check before pressing the button.
I should have written - one or two cases.
Phew!
Phew!! I am happy to hear that Bux, I was getting worried for a bit!!
Those damn typos get us all my friend!!
I could win gold at the Olympics for some of my typos.
I would be a pretty close silver medalist then Bux!!
Have a nice relaxing Sunday buddy!! :-)
You two Nick. Enjoy the new weak.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
You to Buddy!! ;-)