10 Must-Visit Places To Satisfy Your Nasi Goreng Cravings
This hearty dish of fried rice with meat and vegetables is not as plain or simple as it sounds
By guoxiongho -
Literally translated to "fried rice", nasi goreng is a dish well-loved by us Singaporeans and our neighbours in Indonesia and Malaysia. A hearty dish of rice with meats and vegetables included, the dish is simple to make but difficult to master, especially with the infinite possibilities that ingredients and sauces add. Moreover, there are many styles to choose from: Malay, Indonesian, Indian Muslim and more. While you might have your favourite stall or restaurant to get nasi goreng from, here are 10 places to check out whenever the craving hits.
Hass Bawa is most known for its mee goreng (fried noodles), but the nasi goreng from the Marine Parade hawker of over four decades shouldn't be missed either. Hass Bawa has five nasi goreng options - Nasi Goreng Merah, Nsai Goreng Ikan Bilis, Nasi Goreng Ayam, Nasi Goreng Seafood and Nasi Goreng Kerang (cockles) - and ranges between $4-$5.
84 Marine Parade Central, #01-39 84 Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre, Singapore 440084
Located in Seah Im Food Centre, Farasha has its own devotees thanks to its range of halal food offerings. Just nasi goreng itself and Farasha has nine iterations available, ranging from Nasi Goreng Ayam (chicken) and Nasi Goreng Kampung to Nasi Goreng Beef and Nasi Goreng Tom Yum Seafood. We hear that Farasha serves up a mean Ayam Goreng (fried chicken) and Nasi Ayam Penyet too.
2 Seah Im Rd, #01-31 Seah Im Food Centre, Singapore 099114
Fronted by chef Firdauz Nasir, Nusantara pays homage to traditional Nusantara (referring to the Indonesian Archipelago) cuisine with recipes passed down generations without MSG or preservatives. Here, Nusantara serves the Nasi Goreng Gila ($8.80) to test your mettle when it comes to spiciness. It is available in three levels of spiciness of increasing heat: Shiok-Shiok Pedas, Hot & Spicy Pedas and Fire Burning Pedas.
182 Cecil Street, #02-16/17 Frasers Tower, 069547
Spize is known for serving up both Asian, Western and Mediterranean food. The extensive menu includes over 12 nasi goreng dishes such as classics like Nasi Goren with Beef and Nasi Goreng with Chicken to less commonly-available ones like Nasi Goreng Ayam Kunyit and Nasi Goreng Pattaya. Prices range from $6.50 to $8.90.
336 Bedok Road, Bedok Shopping Complex, 469512 and 131 Rifle Range Rd, #03-04, Singapore 588406
IndoChili is an Indonesian restaurant that prides itself on serving up authentic dishes from Java, Padang and Bali. The restaurant serves only one nasi goreng dish here - Nasi Goreng Seafood ($13.80). However, we reckon you wouldn't be missing out on any of their other dishes as well.
7 Wallich St, #B1 - 03 Guoco Tower, Singapore 078884 and 54 Zion Rd, Singapore 247779
Another restaurant known for its Indonesian food, Tok Tok serves up Nasi Goreng Kambing ($12.80) and Nasi Goreng Ayam ($9.80). But if you're there for weekday lunch, get the Nasi Goreng Istimewa ($12.80) which comes with fried chicken, chicken satay, shredded omelette, garlic crackers, sambal penyet and pickles.
467 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427678
A beach club might be the last place you might expect to find bangin' nasi goreng, but Rumours is known for its take on Balinese food and barbecue. Here, Rumours serve the Indonesian Fried Rice ($18.80), which comes with a side of fried marinated chicken, chicken satay, pickled cucumber and carrot, mixed leaf salad, garlic crackers and shrimp paste sambal.
40 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, 098996
A celebrated chef known for her takes on Asian, especially Nyonya, food, Violet Oon needs little introduction as she has been honing her craft in the Singapore scene for over five decades. There are three nasi gorengs available at her restaurants - Nasi Goreng Nyonya with Hae Bee (dried shrimp) and Prawns ($23), Buah Keluak Fried Rice ($25) and Nasi Goreng Kangkung ($23), for those who want a vegetarian option.
Violet Oon Singapore has multiple locations in Singapore
Just a short walk from Sultan Mosque, Kampong Glam Cafe has been serving up local cuisine since 2004 to locals and tourists alike. They have 15 nasi goreng options for you to choose from, such as Nasi Goreng Kampung, Nasi Goreng Cina, Nasi Goreng Paprik Ayam and Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin. Wash the food down with a glass of piping hot teh tarik before you go. Prices range from $4.50 to $6.
17 Bussorah St, Singapore 199438
Al-Azhar is a chain of eateries that serves up a wide range of foods ranging from Malay and Indian to Western and Thai. Similarly, Al-Azhar has the most iterations of nasi goreng available in this list too, which includes Nasi Goreng Pattaya, Nasi Goreng American, Nasi Goreng Nanas and Al-Azhar Special Fried Rice. Prices range from $5.50 to $8.90.
Al-Azhar Eating Restaurant has multiple locations in Singapore