Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Nasi Goreng

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Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng
Nasi Goreng



Nothing was sponsored, we visited as regular paying customers. Photos in this post were taken between 2000 and 2026 (across 26 years!), as such, the quality of photos varies drastically due to advances in camera technology. Mobile smartphones were in their infancy and had yet to become widespread.


Also Known As:
Nasi Goreng, Malay Fried Rice, Malaysian Fried Rice, Indonesian Fried Rice,
Nasi Goreng Kampung, Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis, Nasi Goreng Ayam, Nasi Goreng Jawa


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $4 - $12








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Description:
The Nasi Goreng is a Singaporean Malay dish, featuring pre-cooked white rice stir-fried with a variety of seasonings and assorted ingredients. Also known as Malay Fried Rice, Malaysian Fried Rice, or Indonesian Fried Rice, which reflects the culinary prominence and cultural significance of the dish in those countries, the Nasi Goreng dish is usually priced around SGD $4 to $12 per serving. It's commonly eaten throughout the day, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or supper.

The versatility of Nasi Goreng has resulted in over 100 different variations, each unique in its ingredient assortment and seasonings. The common base features rested pre-cooked white rice (or alternatively leftover white rice), chicken eggs, belacan / fermented shrimp paste, shallots, and seasonings, all stir-fried in vegetable oil. Typical seasonings used in Nasi Goreng include a combination of some or all of the following: garlic, salt, kecap manis / dark sweet soy sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, palm sugar, powdered turmeric, fish sauce, candlenut, tomato ketchup, red chili pepper, or bird's eye chili. The typical Nasi Goreng will carry tender loose dry moist crisp soft wispy textures, with smoky savoury salty grainy eggy sweet spice flavour. Usually served with cucumber slices for added vegetal sweet flavour, and a side of chili paste for a fiery spicy salty kick.

Other assorted ingredients may be added to Nasi Goreng, which then takes on the name of the ingredient. The Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis has additional deep-fried ikan bilis / anchovies which lend a crisp crunchy texture and fishy salty savoury flavour. The Nasi Goreng Ayam has additional boneless chicken chunks which lend a tender chewy texture and meaty sweet savoury flavour. Assorted vegetables including spring onions, carrots, peas, cabbage, kang kong / water spinach, chye sim / Chinese flowering cabbage, or string beans, lend additional crispy springy crunchy textures with vegetal sweet earthy herbal flavours. An additional wobbly soft sunny side up chicken egg with runny yolk lends eggy sweet flavour. There's also crackers, either firm crunchy kerupuk ikan tenggiri / mackerel fish crackers with fishy savoury salty flavour, light crispy kerupuk udang / prawn crackers with shrimpy savoury flavour, or crispy airy emping / melinjo seeds cracker with savoury bitter earthy flavour. Combine all of the above ingredients with a rustic homely style dish presentation, and you get Nasi Goreng Kampung.

The Nasi Goreng Jawa is another common rendition which features additional red chili paste stir-fried in, and thus has a more prominent spicy kick to flavour. Some stalls will ask customers their preference on the degree of spiciness: mild, medium, hot, or extra hot. As a practical, affordable, filling, and flavourful dish that can be customised in various tasty ways, Nasi Goreng is an accessible everyday meal across Southeast Asia.


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1. Al Mubin Restaurant
@ 212 Hougang Street 21 #01-343
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Nasi Goreng (SGD $8) @ Al Mubin Restaurant.

Established in January 2021, this fast casual, family-friendly restaurant boasts an extensive menu.

Their rendition has fluffy seasoned rice tossed with wispy whisked chicken egg, crisp fried ikan bilis / anchovies, crisp kang kong / water spinach, crunchy fried shallots, tender boneless chicken chunks, and topped with a crisp juicy cucumber and a soft over-medium chicken egg with jammy yolk.

Carries robust smoky grainy sweet meaty savoury fishy salty vegetal eggy spice flavour. Love the chili paste on the side, with its fiery spicy salty kick.





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2. Alsalam Restaurant
@ 457 Changi Road
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Nasi Goreng (SGD $7.80) @ Alsalam Restaurant.

Established since January 2007, this chain of casual eateries is among the more ubiquitous, making it a reliable and convenient option.

Their rendition veers towards the rustic Kampung style, with lightly seasoned fluffy rice grains stir-fried with wispy whisked chicken egg, crisp fried ikan bilis / anchovies, crisp kang kong / water spinach, tender boneless chicken chunks, and topped with a bright sunny side up chicken egg with runny yolk.

Bold flavour is derived from the wok hei / breath of the wok, with smoky grainy sweet meaty savoury fishy salty vegetal eggy spice flavour. The chili paste has a fiery salty spice flavour, gripping and lingering on the palate.





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3. Farasha By Intan
@ Seah Im Food Centre, 2 Seah Im Road #01-31
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 8am – 8pm, Closed Sun

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Nasi Goreng (SGD $10.50) @ Farasha By Intan.

Opened at some point before January 2022, this stall is famed for its small-batch frying of ingredients, ensuring a tasty and consistent quality.

Their rendition channels the rustic Kampung style, with lightly seasoned fluffy rice grains stir-fried with wispy whisked chicken egg and crisp fried ikan bilis / anchovies, accompanied by crisp lettuce and crunchy kerupuk ikan tenggiri / mackerel fish crackers. Has smoky grainy eggy sweet fishy salty savoury vegetal spice flavour.

But the star is the deep-fried bone-in turmeric and salt marinated chicken, tender and juicy with robust meaty savoury salty spice flavour, yummy. Nicely addictive.





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4. Hass Bawa
@ 84 Marine Parade Central Market And Food Centre, 84 Marine Parade Central #01-39
Opening Hours: Sat - Thu 11am – 8:30pm, Closed Fri

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Nasi Goreng (SGD $6) @ Hass Bawa.

Established since 1978 by Abdul Latiff Mohammed Kassim, this legendary stall serves what many consider to be the best rendition of its kind.

Each plate is wok-fried to order, quickly assembled by tossing together pre-cooked and rested white rice, diced cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, chicken egg, chye sim / Chinese flowering cabbage, fried ikan bilis / anchovies, and shallots. Has bold smoky grainy fishy salty vegetal sweet starchy eggy savoury flavour.

Accompanied by juicy cucumber slices with vegetal sweet flavour, thick tomato ketchup with vegetal sour sweet flavour, and topped with a soft fried chicken egg with eggy sweet savoury flavour.





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5. N.M. Abdul Rahim
@ Ayer Rajah Food Centre, 503 West Coast Drive #01-60
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am – 11:50pm

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Nasi Goreng (SGD $9.70) @ N.M. Abdul Rahim.

Founded in April 1990 by namesake Abdul Rahim S/O Nathersa, this stall is acclaimed for serving among the best renditions in Singapore.

The Kampung style rendition has loose fluffy seasoned rice, crunchy carrots, crisp chye sim / Chinese flowering cabbage, juicy cucumber, bouncy peas, tender potatoes, wispy whisked chicken egg, crisp fried ikan bilis / anchovies, and shallots.

The smoky grainy fishy salty vegetal sweet starchy eggy savoury spice flavour is so enticing. Completed with a soft fried sunny side up chicken egg with eggy sweet savoury flavour.





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6. Spize
@ 338 Bedok Road
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 11am – 2am, Fri - Sat 11am – 3am

Taken in 2013


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Nasi Goreng (SGD $10.20) @ Spize.

Incorporated in October 2007, this stall boasts a good variety and range of dishes, being known as having 'something for everyone'.

Their rendition of Kampung style has loose fluffy seasoned rice, crunchy string beans, juicy cucumber, wispy whisked chicken egg, and crisp fried ikan bilis / anchovies. Carries smoky grainy fishy salty vegetal sweet eggy savoury spice flavour.

Completed with firm crunchy kerupuk ikan tenggiri / mackerel fish crackers with fishy savoury salty flavour, and a soft fried sunny side up chicken egg with eggy sweet savoury flavour.





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- Anna's 108 Cafe – Stall No Longer Sells This
@ PKMS Building, 218 Lorong 108 Changi

Taken in 2009






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- Sedap Corner Asian Fare & Grill – Permanently Closed
@ 282 Bedok Road

Taken in 2014






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- Serai Makan Place – Permanently Closed
@ Millage, 55 Changi Road #01-02

Taken in 2009






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