Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak is one of, if not the most popular stall at Adam Road Food Centre judging from the constant long line.
Perhaps some people do not know that they are one of the partners behind Nasi Lemak chain store CRAVE.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong once served this Nasi Lemak to Indonesian President Joko Widodo when he was here in Singapore; and the Sultan of Brunei would request this frequently whenever he visited Singapore.
No matter what time of the day you plan to go, there is no escaping the long queues, but fans say the wait is surely worth it.
So, what is the “secret to success”?
The current owner attributes it to the family recipe that emphasizes on the 4 key ingredients: basmati rice, sambal chilli, chicken wing and otah otah.
There are 7 choices on the menu, from the basic Regular Meal ($4), Fish Meal ($5), Chicken Wing Meal ($5), Full House ($6) to the most ‘elaborate’ Royal Rumble ($7).
This Royal Rumble Nasi Lemak ($7) includes the full-works of ingredients including fried chicken, otah-otah, fried egg, sliced cucumbers, sambal and fried anchovies.
What stood out for me was first the aroma of the basmati rice, then the rich quality that went well with the coconut milk, lemongrass and pandan leaves.
On the flip side: the chicken wing while noted for its crispy exterior, was not tender enough. The fish was also slightly over-fried.
Also, while the otah otah was considered plump and smooth, could have been fresher as it had a slight sour aftertaste.
The winning element to me was the Sambal Chilli, specially cooked with both Indian and Japanese chillies.
The story goes that the owner’s grandmother wanted a less spicy version of the chilli to cater to more customers.
Thus, the store created this sweet-savoury-spicy version of sambal that would help to elevate the taste of the crispy fried chicken wings.
Despite these mixed experiences, Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak remains a popular destination at Adam Road Food Centre, with long queues indicative of its enduring appeal.
Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak
Adam Road Food Centre #01-02, 2 Adam Rd, Singapore 289876
Opening Hours: 7am – 5pm (Mon – Thurs), 7am – 3pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Fri
Other Related Entries
97 Nasi Lemak (Old Airport Road Food Centre)
Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang (Yishun Park Food Centre)
The Coconut Club (Beach Road)
Changi Nasi Lemak (Thomson)
Dickson Nasi Lemak (Joo Chiat)
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