Illustration of Nasi Lemak

Malay · Singapore hawker food

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak is a Malay hawker dish loved across Singapore. Here is what it is, what to order and where to try it, starting at Boon Lay Place Food Village.

What is Nasi Lemak?

Nasi lemak means "rich rice", cooked in coconut milk and pandan. Sambal, ikan bilis, peanuts, egg and cucumber complete the plate. Nasi Lemak is part of Singapore's hawker culture, recognised by UNESCO in 2020 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Where to eat Nasi Lemak in Singapore

The west side swears by Boon Lay. In Hawker Fantasy, the Nasi Lemak food gem is found at Boon Lay Place Food Village.

Open Boon Lay Place Food Village in Google Maps ↗

What to order
Coconut rice, fried chicken wing, sambal
Tip
Go before the lunch peak

Also try it at Adam Food Centre

A compact food centre by the Botanic Gardens, famous for its nasi lemak queues.

Open Adam Food Centre in Google Maps ↗

What to order
Nasi lemak with fried chicken wing, egg and extra sambal
Tip
Queues are longest at night and on weekends

We don't rank individual stalls. Every hawker centre has its own favourites, so ask the regulars and follow the queue.

More hawker dishes