Let's Go Paktor: Makan Places That Give You And Bae A Taste Of Malaysia
Before you book an end-year trip to make a getaway across the Causeway with bae, how about taking your better half on a discovery of authentic Malaysian fare... right here in Singapore?
Yes, there's plenty of good Malaysian nosh on our Little Red Dot, and, as someone who loves travelling to Malaysia for gluttonous gallivanting, this was one jalan-jalan cari makan that I loved taking my wife around.
Small Tables
Ipoh Curry Mee
9 Scotts Rd, #01-09/10/11/12 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210
Apparently, people from Ipoh say food there tastes better because it is made with the natural spring water that flows in the city. And this cafe at Orchard Road boasts that their hor fun and cheong fun are imported fresh from Ipoh and made daily there.
Both the dry and soup Ipoh Curry Mee are spicy and flavourful, and you must try their Pork Belly Satay and Whole Fish Otah. Portions here are perfect for sharing. Don't forget to order a cup of their Ipoh White Coffee - it is as close as you can get to the real thing.
Uptown Nasi Lemak
Nasi Lemak
121 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068590
Most KL-ites will know Village Park Nasi Lemak in Damansara Uptown, where all the ministers and local celebrities have enjoyed (arguably) the best nasi lemak in the Klang Valley. Uptown Nasi Lemak in the heart of CBD is said to be inspired by that certain nasi lemak at Damansara Uptown, and most hungry Malaysians say it’s as close as you can get to the real thing, right down to that crispy ayam berempah. The sambal here packs a punch too, Malaysian style.
Lucky Seafood Catering
Ipoh style lai fun and handmade yong tau foo
134 Sims Ave, Singapore 387456
No point talking about chicken rice since that’s everywhere here, so how about true-to-Ipoh style lai fun and yong tau foo. Both are painstakingly handmade right here, and you can have the lai fun dry with minced meat, in soup, or cooked with assam laksa, which we thoroughly recommend. They also sell a true Ipoh favourite – fried jicama which is almost unheard of here but a taste of home for those from Ipoh.
Anson Town
Teluk Intan style or Ipoh style chee cheong fun – take your pick
324P Changi Road, Singapore 419799
No.7 Gambas Crescent #01-07 Ark, Singapore 757087
The Ipoh Curry Noodle chee cheong fun here is said to be as authentic as you can get in Ipoh. It comes with plenty of char siew and roasted meat, but the curry is the real star – the pig’s skin in the curry is heavenly. The lesser known but more unique Teluk Intan style chee cheong fun is also a crowd pleaser – served with preserved vegetables, turnips and dried shrimps. Don’t visit on weekend mornings or you’ll have to brave a long queue.
Super Kitchen Chilli Pan Mee (Batu Road)
KL Chilli Pan Mee
22 China St, Singapore 049564
Chilli Pan Mee is another Klang Valley staple, and for KL-ites dying to suffer from the delicious spice, there is an outlet of Super Kitchen Chili Pan Mee right here in Far East Square. Even the chilli is imported from KL, so you know you’re getting the good stuff. Get some iced milk coffee on the side if it’s been some time since you had this, since it’s guaranteed to get hot on your tastebuds.
133 Penang Authentic @ Bukit Timah Food Centre
Penang Char Kway Teow
51 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, #02-193, Singapore 588172
Many Malaysians I know have been on a journey searching for true Penang char kway teow in Singapore, and the one at 133 Penang Authentic @ Bukit Timah Food Centre comes closest to it. True blue Penangites man this stall, and rest assured there’s plenty of wok hei in every plate. There’s a long queue, but only because each plate is cooked individually.
Sarawak Delicacy Laksa & Kolo Mee, Bedok
Sarawak Kolo Mee and Laksa
Blk 204 Bedok North Street 1, 01-435, Singapore 460204
Kolo Mee is quintessentially Sarawakian, so if you’re missing home then head over to this stall. The stall dishes out a generous portion with plenty of minced pork and char siew. There are rave reviews for the Sarawak laksa too with legit belacan. Expect a long wait during makan hours.
R.K. Eating House
24-hour Mamak experience
1 Kensington Park Rd, Singapore 557253
The best thing about having roti canai in Malaysia isn’t so much about the food. It’s the experience of hanging out with friends at a 24-hour mamak until the wee hours - watching EPL over unassuming roti canai, maggi goreng and teh tarik or Milo ais. It’s difficult to find something like this in Singapore, but there are a select few (sans EPL matches). R.K. Eating House at Serangoon Gardens is one, serving pretty good crispy prata, their massive Tissue Prata, and the Milo Tower which is perfect for sharing with bae.
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