Tuck Into The Best Lontong In Singapore At These 10 Spots

Lontong looks like a simple and perhaps underwhelming dish at first glance. It does, after all, consist of vegetables and tau kwa (firm tofu) that have been boiled in curry before being topped with cubes of rice made akin to ketupat, spiced shredded coconut, serunding, and a dollop of sambal.

But herein lies the difficulty in creating the perfect lontong. The coconut-based curry has to be light yet flavourful, enough to give the vegetables and tofu heaps of flavour without being watered down by them. The piece de resistance, the serunding, has to have the right balance of spices and heat to add to the complexity of the dish. The sambal too, obviously.

So if you're ready to enjoy all the flavour explosions that lontong has to offer, here are 10 places that have perfected the art of making lontong in Singapore.

1. Queenstown Lontong

Queenstown Lontong has been in business since the 1960s and is currently helmed by third-generation owner Yatie. It was previously at Tanglin Halt Food Centre. The hawker stall isn't too difficult to locate — just spot the bright yellow signboard and snaking queues upfront. Once there, get the namesake Lontong ($4), of course. Otherwise, Queenstown Lontong offers Mee Soto, Mee Rebus, Nasi Lemak and Soto Ayam, too, each at $4 a portion. Do note that the lontong here veers slightly on the sweeter side.

Queenstown Lontong is at Blk 38A Margaret Dr, #01-27 Margaret Drive Hawker Centre, Singapore 142038.

2. Hassan Stall

The late owner Hassan started Hassan Stall in 1959 at a makeshift stall in his kampung home. It is now run by his children Azman and Suzana, who continue to dole out beloved Malay dishes at the current location in Changi Village Hawker Centre. As such, the menu consists of offerings ranging from Lontong ($4) and Laksa ($3.50) to Mee Siam ($3.50) and Mee Rebus ($3.50). And if you're still hungry, grab a handmade Epok-Epok ($1) or two, which is made by their aunt Rokiah.

Hassan Stall is at 2 Changi Village Rd, #01-29 Changi Village Hawker Centre, Singapore 500002.

3. Delicious 美味 Mee Rebus, Mee Siam, Lontong

Delicious 美味 isn't too far from Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Its location also makes it an affordable refuelling spot for those working in the nearby CBD area. Delicious 美味 is helmed by a Chinese couple who continues to put out the three dishes that make up their name — Mee Rebus ($3.50), Mee Siam ($3.50) and Lontong ($4). PS: The stall closes at 2pm so get there early or be prepared to be disappointed.

Delicious 美味 Mee Rebus, Mee Siam, Lontong is at 6 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-02 Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market & Food Centre, Singapore 081006.

4. Java Corner

Java Corner is nestled within the quaint-looking Khong Guan Restaurant (which is a coffee shop) along Stirling Road. Rashida Ahmad runs the establishment and she has been cooking for over twenty years after taking over the reins from her mother's stall in Margaret Drive. The Lontong ($4) served here is accented with dried shrimp and anchovies, which add several notches of umami to the dish. If you need more food, Java Corner offers other classic Malay dishes such as Mee Soto ($3.50), Mee Siam ($3.50) and Nasi Padang.

Java Corner is at 49 Stirling Rd, Block 49 Khong Guan Restaurant, Singapore 141049.

5. Afghanistan Family Restaurant

Afghanistan Family Restaurant was founded in 1967 and has since become an institution for hearty Malay fare in the area. When news that the owner, the late Mr Mahmood Abdullah, passed in 2022, dedications poured in, further highlighting the love people have for the eatery. Lontong, the star of this story, is especially beloved here, with other must-tries being their Murtabak, Prata, Nasi Lemak and more. Being a popular breakfast item, head there early as lontong can sell out quickly.

Afghanistan Family Restaurant is at 201E Tampines St 23, Tampines N2 Shopping Street, Singapore 527201.

6. Kampong Glam Cafe

Former footballer Bashir Khan started Kampong Glam Cafe in 2004 together with his and his late uncle Abdul Rahim bin Musa. Conveniently situated near Haji Lane and Sultan Mosque, the restaurant draws people in with its hearty take on Malay fare set within the heritage enclave, especially with the sheer amount of Mediterranean restaurants that surround it. Lontong ($4) is one of the best-sellers here but you will find a plethora of favourites ranging from various types of Nasi Goreng to classic Malay dishes.

Kampong Glam Cafe is at 17 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199438.

7. Chai Chee Nasi Lemak

Don't be fooled by the name — Chai Chee Nasi Lemak isn't located in Chai Chee but is in Hougang instead. While you might be tempted to try its namesake dish — nasi lemak (from $5.50) — give the unsung hero, lontong, a try too. Chai Chee Nasi Lemak offers two versions of the dish — Lontong Kering (from $5), which is a dry version, and the regular soupy kind (from $5).

Chai Chee Nasi Lemak is at 105 Hougang Ave 1, #02-42 Hougang Hainanese Village Centre, Singapore 530105. Visit its Facebook for more information.

8. Mukmin Restaurant

Mukmin Restaurant is located between Bedok and Tanah Merah MRT stations, right behind the Bedok ActiveSG Stadium. It is a family-run establishment that was set up in 1981. Suffice to say, Mukmin Restaurant has become a go-to for many families, with seats filling up quickly on the weekends. From savoury food to traditional kuehs, Mukmin Restaurant has many crowd-pleasers, chief among them is the stir-fried iteration of lontong called Lontong Goreng.

Mukmin Restaurant Bedok is at 129 Bedok North Street 2, #01-26, Singapore 460129. Visit its Facebook for more information.

9. Nusa & Tara

ABC Brickworks Food Centre in Redhill has no shortage of yummy food options. And of the few stalls that receive long queues of office workers patiently waiting during their limited lunch hour is Nusa & Tara. Lontong ($3) is one of the bestsellers here though people who don't want to risk having their shirts stained can opt for the dry Lontong Kering ($4) version instead. Otherwise, Nusa & Tara offers many Malay classics.

Nusa & Tara is at 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, 01-22 ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre, 150006.

10. Warung Wahyu

Warung Wahyu is a less well-known hawker stall in Kim Keat near Whampoa Food Centre. Once you've made the trip there, look for its blue signboard and a likely queue that has gathered upfront. Then take your pick of what you would like to have. Lontong ($3) is a crowd favourite as is the nasi padang, nasi lemak and mee rebus.

Warung Wahyu is at 58 Kim Keat Rd, Kim Keat House, Singapore 328826.