The first part of my Tanjong Katong discovery begins with Ponggol Nasi Lemak Centre. This is related (or a branch of) to the outlet along Upper Serangoon Road. But as long as one is happy with the food, who really cares if they are related?
If you are a health freak, you may stop reading at this point. The healthiest item you can find in this stall is perhaps the cucumber slice (note singular) which accompanies every order of rice. The rest are either deep fried, cooked with generous amounts of coconut, or fried with pork lard.
The must order items for me are chicken wing, ikan bilis and curry vegetable gravy. Personally, I like to eat my rice drenched with the gravy, mixed with chilli and peppered with ikan bilis. Yes, its that appetizing! Those who like sweet ikan bilis will like the ones here. Chicken wing is big (not those tiny skinny wings) and juicy, and always piping hot!
The other variable items will be lady finger, brinjal, archar, ngoh hiang and otah. I thought the recipe of the ngoh hiang has changed somewhat since my last visit. There is more flour now. Do not be fooled into thinking that eating vegetables is always good for health. This is not to be applied here. Both brinjal and lady fingers are fried with pork lard! But I guess this is their secret to great tasting veg.
Standard fare of fish fillet, sotong balls, luncheon meat and sunny side up are also available.
In all honesty, this stall can never compare to some good malay-style nasi which I personally prefer. But this stall sure has its fair share of fans. Rice and chilli are both mediocre when on its own, but tastes best when eaten together with curry gravy! Just my two cents worth...
A: 238 Tanjong Katong Road
T: 6348 3303
Close on Thursday