Rumah Makan Minang – Halal Indonesian Restaurant Serving Great Nasi Padang

To talk about Rumah Makan Minang, we have to start Sabar Menanti, a well-loved Malay restaurant established in the 1940s serving authentic Nasi Padang dishes from the Sumatran Minangkabau people. The owner Haji Marlian came from Sumatra and set up a small food stall. The business grew to become a modest restaurant that was very popular.

After the owner passed away, the running of the restaurant has passed on from the original owner from Sumatra, Haji Marlian, to his children and they eventually set up their own brands. So there is Sabar Menanti Restaurant, Sabar Menanti II, and Rumah Makan Minang.

Located at the corner of Kandahar Street and Muscat Street. Rumah Makan Minang is started by Haji Marlian’s youngest child, Zubaidah in 1954. Now, Aunty Zubaidah’s family runs the restaurant and they are now also doing catering. I have been here quite a few times and it’s one of my favourite spots when I bring tourists on a Chiak Local food tour.

One of my favourite dishes here is Ayam Belado Hijau ($3.50), featuring tender chicken in signature green chilli marinate. The marinate doesn’t overpower and I like how it helps to bring more umami depth to the meat. And there is Indonesian Tahu Telur ($6) made from large fried tofu mixed with eggs and dorned with bean sprouts, grated peanuts and dark watered sweet soy.

Generally speaking, beef is too tough to eat without braising. Beef Rendang ($3.50) seems to be a highlight here with the beef made intensely aromatic by coconut milk and spices cooked over a slow charcoal fire. It wasn’t as tender as I hope it would be but the flavours are definitely there. Some vegetables to go along our meal include Sayur Lodeh ($3) – mixed vegetables boiled soft, spiced and flavored; and Terung Belado ($3) – eggplant fried with signature red chilli marinate. I love everything spice, so to add to my already spicy meal, I always add on Sambal Belado Merah ($1) – a Minangkabau style sambal that is sexily red and very spicy.

Order your food from the counter and the staff will deliver it to your table. I like how the strong and balanced flavours here and the chilli are not too spicy, so we can easily finish a meal. I got a chance to meet Aunty Zubaidah in real person as I was embarking on DBS SME99 project. Watch the video to hear her story!