Malay and Indian hawker favourites to try
By the Food Hunter team · Updated October 2026
Nasi lemak, mee rebus, roti prata, biryani and more — what they are and how to order.
Nasi lemak
Coconut rice served with sambal (chilli paste), fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber and egg, often with fried chicken or fish. The sambal is the soul of the dish — it should be sweet, spicy and deep, not just hot.
Mee rebus and mee siam
Mee rebus is yellow noodles in a thick, sweet-savoury sweet-potato gravy, topped with egg and lime. Mee siam is thin rice vermicelli in a tangy, slightly spicy gravy. Both are common breakfast and lunch dishes at Malay stalls.
Roti prata
A flaky griddled flatbread served with curry. Order 'kosong' (plain), 'egg', 'onion' or 'cheese'. Prata is cheap and quick, and many stalls stay open late, making it a favourite supper option.
Biryani and nasi padang
Biryani is spiced rice cooked with chicken or mutton and served with curry and pickles. Nasi padang is a choose-your-dishes spread of Malay and Indonesian curries, rendang and vegetables over rice — priced by what you pick.
Halal certification
Many Malay and Indian-Muslim stalls are halal-certified — by MUIS in Singapore or JAKIM in Malaysia; the certificate is displayed at the stall. 'Muslim-owned' or 'no pork, no lard' signs are different from certification. If halal matters to you, set Halal in My taste and check the certificate on arrival.