Indonesia
The first thing I noticed at Pagi Sore Indonesian Restaurant was the smell. Not the sharp, showy kind. Something slower: coconut milk, lemongrass, chilli, fried egg, and the deep warmth of spice paste drifting out from a wood-heavy dining room while Far East Square kept moving outside. I walked over on a Wednesday evening, just…
The first time someone asked me for the national dish of Indonesia, I answered nasi goreng without thinking. It seemed obvious: fried rice darkened with kecap manis, often topped with a fried egg, familiar from warungs and late-night street food stalls. That answer is not wrong. It is simply too small. Indonesian food is regional,…
Across the Indonesian archipelago, a vibrant tradition of herbal healing has flourished for centuries. This is jamu, a cornerstone of Indonesian cultural heritage and a sophisticated system of traditional herbal medicine. Far more than just a refreshing drink, jamu represents a philosophy of balance, a deep connection to nature, and a form of indigenous medicine…
There are few meals as satisfying as Nasi Padang, a colourful feast where you choose from a variety of dishes to create your perfect plate. Over the years, I’ve explored Singapore’s Nasi Padang scene, especially in Kampong Glam, sampling everything from humble hawker stalls to renowned spots. This list highlights the best halal Nasi Padang…
There’s a dish I order when I want to know a kitchen quickly. Not the specialty. Not the thing the menu is proud of. I order the fried rice. Because nasi goreng has nowhere to hide. It’s rice, chilli, chicken, egg, a few crackers, some cucumber. Everyone thinks they can make it. Most people can.…
The duck arrived and made a sound before I’d even touched it. Not the plate, the skin. When my fork pressed against it, there was a small, dry crackle, the kind you feel in your fingers before you hear it. That’s when I understood I wasn’t eating a soft meal. This was something with edges.…
There’s a container of rice at the back of my fridge most weeks. Cold, a little hard, forgotten from a dinner two nights ago. Some people see that and think of waste. I see the start of something better. Because leftover rice doesn’t want to be reheated. It wants to be fried. And when it…
I ordered from Tambuah Mas on a rainy Sunday at around 6:15pm, mostly because I wasn’t in the mood to dress up and head into town, but I still wanted a proper meal. Not a sad one-bowl lunch. A real spread. That’s the thing about Tambuah Mas. It’s been around since 1981, serving Indonesian home-style…
It’s always a little heartbreaking when a true culinary landmark decides to close its doors. Warong Nasi Pariaman, the iconic nasi padang spot at 738 North Bridge Road, served its final plates in January 2026. For decades, it stood as a testament to heritage, feeding generations of Singaporeans and becoming an essential part of the…
There are evenings when only a very specific type of comfort food will do. I wasn’t craving a standard bowl of noodles or a generic curry. I wanted that unmistakable, deeply fragrant balance of charcoal smoke and sticky sweet soy sauce that defines authentic Indonesian cooking. Finding that perfect harmony in Singapore without sitting outside…