Aliff Nasi Lemak: A Delicious Nasi Lemak Experience with Ikan Bilis in Serangoon Garden

Introducing Aliff Nasi Lemak

Aliff Nasi Lemak is nestled within the bustling Serangoon Garden food market, just a short stroll from the famous Chomp Chomp Food Centre. This area has long been a culinary paradise, and I love taking a quaint little path that runs under the CTE expressway from Ang Mo Kio — a hidden gem that not many know about unless they live nearby.

It had been quite a while since my last visit to this food center, and I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd this time around — a stark contrast to my previous experience. All the sheltered seating was taken, leaving only the round tables in the center with umbrellas to shield diners from the sun. At least the lighting here made for better photo opportunities — something only my colleagues would understand!

The Food at Aliff Nasi Lemak

Upon arriving at Aliff Nasi Lemak, I was greeted by a long queue. There were at least seven people ahead of me, and more kept arriving. “Wow, the nasi lemak here must be really good,” I thought to myself as I patiently waited.

The menu features six different sets labeled A through F. It was already 11 AM, and this was my first meal of the day. I chose Set E (SGD 6), the most expensive option, along with Set C. This set included a generous portion of basmati coconut rice, a whole fried chicken wing, a piece of otah, a fried egg, a plate of crispy ikan bilis, a slice of cucumber, and a bit of sambal.

Feeling ravenous, I also ordered a piece of Tahu (SGD 1) and a Begedel (SGD 1). As a chef who has cooked nasi lemak daily, I was excited to dive into this tasting adventure. I was pleasantly surprised by how fluffy and perfectly cooked each grain of basmati rice was.

The Unique Flavors of Aliff Nasi Lemak

Typically, coconut rice has a sweet flavor from pandan leaves and coconut. But can you guess what other flavor I detected in Aliff Nasi Lemak's rice? Ginger! This flavor adds a refreshing twist, preventing the rice from being overly rich and enhancing its overall aroma.

The sambal here strikes a perfect balance between sweet and spicy — an ideal pairing with the nasi. Moving on to the chicken wing, it featured a crispy skin that I enjoyed. I could taste the spices used for marinating, but both I and my dining companion found the skin a tad salty. Oddly enough, the meat underneath was somewhat bland — perhaps it hadn’t marinated long enough.

The otah was unremarkable, though it had a soft texture and a mild spice. It seemed that the fish-to-flour ratio was lower than other places, where the fish flavor is usually more pronounced and richer. I love having nasi lemak with a sprinkle of peanuts — typically paired with ikan bilis — so you can imagine my disappointment when I didn’t find any here.

A Delightful Seafood Experience

Surprisingly, the moment I took my first spoonful of crispy ikan bilis, all traces of disappointment quickly vanished. The texture of the ikan bilis was wonderfully crunchy, light as a feather — almost like fried silver fish. I had to double-check whether it was ikan bilis or silver fish. If only I had a bowl of porridge, this fried fish would have been even more delightful!

Conclusion and Tips for Vietnamese Travelers

There were aspects of Aliff Nasi Lemak that I loved and some that I didn’t. The rice had a perfect texture, and the sambal was fantastic. I would love to buy a large container of the crispy ikan bilis — it was that good! If I’m in the area again, I would definitely stop by for some nasi lemak, but I wouldn’t travel far just to eat it.

For Vietnamese travelers, be prepared to spend around 150,000 VND for a full meal at Aliff, and don’t forget to bring cash. This food center is also very close to other attractions in Serangoon, so you can plan to combine sightseeing with culinary delights in one day.

Article adapted from: Seth Lui Food