Mr and Mrs Nasi Lemak – Nasi Lemak With Unique Ingredients From $5 in Tiong Bahru!

The famous green doors along Seng Poh Road has long housed the famous Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice. So when they moved to Tiong Bahru Market in the middle of March, I began my research — I had to find out who was taking over that prominent space. Previously in a small coffee shop along French Road, Mr and Mrs Nasi Lemak was opened by a couple who quit their corporate jobs to fulfil their dreams of opening an F&B business.

Why Nasi Lemak, then? Well, Mr Nasi Lemak enjoys the dish, but wanted to create his own rendition with innovative dishes such as Roast Pork and Kawa Ebi. The space is run by just the husband-and-wife duo — the husband cooks in the kitchen behind, while the wife attends to the customers.

While prices at their French Road stall started at $3.80, the prices here are understandably higher, owing to rising ingredient costs and higher rent. You can build your own Nasi Lemak, or choose from one of their sets (which start from $5). Each of their 4 sets comes with an egg, achar, ikan bilis, and a protein. I had both their Nasi Lemak Set and Kunning Set, but added on other dishes to have a taste.

Overall, their basmati rice was fragrant and al dente; and the achar provided a nice crunch and acidity to complement the dish. I did not find their sambal chilli to be too spicy either.

You cannot go wrong with the classic Nasi Lemak Set ($5). I added on their famous drumstick ($3) and Curry Cabbage ($1) and they did not disappoint. The huge drumstick was succulent, juicy, and so addictively good. I made the mistake of eating it first before the chicken wing that came with the set, and the wing could not compare. If anything, I would recommend building your own set with the drumstick, it is definitely worth the extra few dollars. The Curry Cabbage was soft and sweet, and the curry sauce made a nice pairing with the rice.

The Kunning Set ($5) was an unexpected hit. While I usually prefer my Nasi Lemak with Chicken, their fish was fried perfectly — crispy till the point that you can eat it whole, save for the large bone in the middle. Even the head was edible! They had a promotion to add on an Otah for a discounted price of $1.30 so I went for it. The spiciness of the otah was quite manageable, and the otah was a rather large piece.

I also got both the Roasted Pork ($1.80) and Deep Fried Pork Belly ($1.70) to compare the two. The latter was prepared in a Hakka style — marinated with fermented red bean paste. I preferred the Roasted Pork with its crispy skin, but would have loved it more if the fat-to-meat ratio was more even.

Even though Mr and Mrs Nasi Lemak is still a rather new establishment; their well-executed dishes are impressive. This is now one of my favourite eateries in Tiong Bahru!

MissTamChiak.com made an anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stall featured here.