Ponggol Nasi Lemak Centre

When it comes to Nasi Lemak, it isn't far-fetched to say that everyone in Singapore knows about Ponggol Nasi Lemak. They do a few things consistently well: the coconuty rice, the sambal, and the crunchy fried chicken wings. Among their outlets, the Serangoon and Tanjong Katong locations always attract snaking queues. It is a meal that feels both heartwarming and hearty every single time.

A pretty standard nasi lemak - not outstanding but also nothing that we would complain about. Offers a good variety of ingredients, most of which tasted freshly cooked. The sambal had a good heat and paired well with the coconut rice. Do note that ikan bilis and peanuts are offered as separate ala carte ingredients and do not come with the rice by default. The standout ingredient though is the chicken wing - freshly fried, crispy and wonderfully aromatic.

Ponggol Nasi Lemak Centre sits tucked in the everyday hustle—unassuming frontage, open windows, and the comforting aroma of coconut rice, sambal, and fried goodies welcoming you in. Inside, it’s a blend of hawker energy and family rhythm: metal tables, plastic stools, lunch crowds, and the occasional diner asking in Malay for extra ikan bilis. They do what they do with no frills but serious care. The nasi lemak arrives with fluffy, fragrant rice, each grain carrying creaminess but not sogginess. The sambal has a measured heat—not numbing or flat but soulful, slightly sweet with a hint of smokiness, picking up complexity at the edges. You’ll find crispy fried chicken with skin that snaps under your fork, ikan bilis that crunch, peanuts toasted, and custard egg just soft enough to ooze without chaos. What stands out is how the flavours balance—nothing overpowers. The sambal, the rice, the sides—they hold their own but also support each other. It’s not gimmicky; it’s the kind of plate you taste room-by-room, noticing little things you’ll want again. Service is hawker speed but with care. The workers are efficient without being robotic—tea top-ups come without asking, and they’ll clear tonight’s empty plates to make space for more. Prices stay kind, making this place as satisfying for daily habit as for those occasional cravings. If you’re around Punggol or passing through and want a solid plate of nasi lemak that hits both heart and hunger, this is one you’ll keep coming back to.

A satisfying fix for nasi lemak cravings. The chicken wing is crispy and tasty. I personally prefer the usual ikan bilis over the tiny silverfish version (银鱼仔), but it’s still alright. The chili is flavourful with a nice kick. The rice is nice and fragrant, though not the best I’ve had. Overall, still a solid and enjoyable plate of nasi lemak.

It’s like our fortnight event with Katong Punggol Nasi Lemak! I wouldn’t say which dish is my favourite as in fact, every dish is top-notch and it’s always a challenge to pick what will be in my box. A good thing we always pack at least 8 to 12 person boxes so we can go home and “mix and match” kind of fun! We will always pack extra cabbage curry and Achar for the next day lunch!

Have visited this outlet of Punggol Nasi Lemak as few times. I feel it’s like any standard 4 rating (out of 5) Nasi Lemak place. Nonetheless, it’s a decent place to quench your Nasi Lemak cravings. Dunno if they have a standard Nasi Lemak set which you can order because whenever I’ve visited, I’ve just chosen the various side dishes to go along with the rice and fried chicken. Overall, a decent place to stop by for lunch for dinner if you’re in the area. But not sure if the place matches its hype.

Punggol Nasi Lemak is highly praised for its exceptional quality, featuring fragrant, coconut milk-infused rice, a balanced sweet-spicy sambal, and consistently fresh, piping hot side dishes like the famous crispy fried chicken wings. Be prepared for a long queue during dinner, with wait times often around half an hour, as this is a popular spot with a high demand for its delicious fare.

Liked the fragrant coconut rice and crispy chicken wing. Takeaway box consists of coconut rice, a slice of cucumber, 2 small fish, 2 pcs of ngoh hiang and 5 pcs of brinjal that costs $9 +$0.40 (for the box), 4 chicken wings in a brown bag $8+$0.10cents (for the small paper bag). An additional spoon of ikan bills onto the rice box is $1+$0.30cents.( Why? The 30 cents) Total $28.20. Overpriced takeaway in expensive packaging.

Worse ever customer service experience! This stall hires a whole bunch of foreigners who have no manner at all and do not have proper skill to serve customer. I was told that I can only order from the spot indicated which is next to the cashier (SIDE) as the staff wont be able to hear me if i were to go to the FRONT (where you can view all the dishes) to which i reply how was I gonna decide on ingredients if I haven't seen all the dishes? The funny thing is the customer before me and after me were instructed to go the FRONT to order. Do not give funny excuse that you won't be able to hear me! If that is the case, then everyone can only order from the SIDE not FRONT. When I went to the FRONT to check what is available, I was told that I can see from the side. What is wrong with your staff? Was told that me going to the front to check out ingredients will disrupt the order. Then how am I supposed to decide when I can't see from the side and doesn't come here regularly to know all the ingredients they have. Please train your staff well with regards to how to give proper service. Food is MEDIOCRE and with TERRIBLE SERVICE like this, NOT WORTH A PENNY SPENT HERE! Wasted my $53 for 7 packs of nasi lemak. Price is also not justified for the quality served. Tourists who are considering to visit this place, be prepared to be treated with NO RESPECT by the poorly trained staff!! Date of visit : 2 September 2022 (Friday) Time of visit : 9.20pm Food : 2 stars Service : Doesn't even deserve 1 star Price : Definitely on the high side for the simple ingredients served (it's funny that the receipt doesn't even show what we have been charged for)

Serious contender for the number 1 spot for Nasi Lemak. Every single dish is awesome. Chicken wings are mega awesome, simple, clean fried deep but doesn't feel yucky oily. This is one of the few places you feel clean after eating. I would say this is the elevated, a little more premium kind of nasi lemak. Its even suitable for a weekend family dinner if you get what I mean. Again, 5 stars for the good food, clean environment, and just a wonderful place to eat Nasi Lemak at. Detailed review: Rice - fluffy and grainy. Not soggy and meshed up at all. Very good. Cross cut cucumbers - thank you for the love. Chilli - above average but does not mix too well with the rice at times. Chicken wings - awesome! Dry and very crunchy on the outside. Juicy and succulent on the inside. Just how I like it. Sides - all good and what it should be. (Nghoh hiong and heh Joh is a little disappointing though.) Lon Tong is a absolute delight especially when mixed in with the chili. Queue - 10-15 mins. Saturday night still able to get seats. There's a sink for you to wash your hands after eating those wings. Must be the cleanest coffee shop in Singapore and sets an example! This has to be mentioned!

My 1000th review is dedicated to my favourite nasi lemak place in Singapore! The perfect combo for me is: rice, fried chicken wing, luncheon meat (Spam), fried egg, ikan bilis, string bean, eggplant, and yes to chilli. Total damage is $7.30 + more fat for my muffin top. I regret nothing every time. If it's your first time, definitely choose the fried chicken as it never disappoints. Always juicy, with the crispiest skin that is the most beautiful shade of golden brown I've ever seen. Don't let the queue deter you. Also, pay attention once you are the 4th or 5th person in the queue, as that's when they begin taking your order- and they are rapid fire quick. Add in a lime juice from the nearby drink stall to complete the meal. You're welcome.

This spot is unassuming as they come. It's cafeteria style food, right...and then you take a bite of the coconut milk-infused rice...and then it's basically game over from there. You dab at the chili sauce, to find that the flavors mingle perfectly with the rice- so you mix the rest of your chili into the rest of your mound of rice. Then you bite into the crispy fried chicken. What a texture contrast to complement the creamy heat you've just concocted before. Juicy and crispy- matched with creamy heat- wow. Two crispy fried tofu rolls stuffed with water chestnuts and a bit of ground pork and wood ear mushrooms completes this wallop of a meal to my taste buds. I finish off the meal with a cold barley drink- not very sweet, just enough to help cool of the residual heat from the chili. I'm down for the count. And fat. And happy. Oh, and this was my second meal after an already solid meal across the street at Heng Long. Simplicity and excellence in food can be so beautifully tasty....

I can seriously imagine Daym Drops coming to Ponggol Nasi Lemak, ordering some of that seriously fine Fried Chicken for "take away" and heading back to his car where he does of one of his well-known YouTube videos showing off his initial reaction after the first bite! Yep, my reaction was the same reaction he had when he took that very first bite out of a Five Guys Burger. The fried chicken at this Nasi Lemak is literally just to die for (cholesterol anyone?). The skin is crispy, and the meat has that great oily finish. The coconut rice is super fragrant and the side offerings are top-notch. In terms of the side offerings, go for the green beans and egg. Aside from the Chicken, my favorite is the serving of Sambal that the auntie puts on once the dish is served. I'm not sure, if the Sambal here is specially made or comes from the regular supermarket, but I find it very tasty, but not overly powering spicy like other sambals I've tried. The mix of fried chicken, coconut rice and a tinge of Sambal is just heavenly. Lines are long, a lot longer than I'd like, but as any Singaporean / local would know: a stall with a long line, is usually a stall that is very good. Punggol Nasi Lemak is no exception to the rule!

Very bad service! I got scolded . The nasi lemak is not bad to be honest, but angry to a customer ?!? Come on... your food is not that good! You are very arrogant! Not recomended for tourist !

The nasi lemak here is pretty good albeit a little on the pricey side. The rice has that nice fragrant coconut flavour and the sambal is sweet and not overpowering. The chicken wings are crispy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside. The otahs are flavourful and really good. The only problem is that the servings sit a little toward the small side. I'm not sure if one serving is enough to fill you up if you're rather hungry. Nevertheless, its good food!

There is always long queue everytime I visit this place, large variety of food but price might be on the high side despite its nice display. Ordered some ikan bilis , otah , fish fillet and chicken to go along with the rice , price has risen a lot from a mere 6$ to 8$-9$. I think the price has increased tremendously from the past and food quality has really dropped. Apart from that i would not want to queue for such a long time for that kind of quality and price. The green rice was average (used to be better), not really the grainy type that i like to eat. Chicken wings was pretty normal as well, nothing fantastic about it. The queue can sometimes reach the main road and that is madness. Overall i would not waste time queuing for expensive and low quality food. Maybe if they improved on their food quality will i go back to patronize them again.

I must say, being raised in the US, I didn't even know what Nasi Lemak was until I moved to Singapore for work. And I didn't like it one bit until I tried this place (fortunately, I live few blocks away) and ever since I came here, I have been a big fan. Is it really that good? You should see a long-ass line every night and there are at least 20-30 people waiting to get the best Nasi Lemak I have ever had. Highly recommend!

The line that forms from 6pm till the early hours of the morning are testament to the quality of the nasi lemak here. Perhaps because the two vital parts of the nasi lemak - the chilli and the ikan billis here are done differently from elsewhere and are just so darn addictive. On top of them serving excellent nasi lemak in the traditional sense, they also offer a range of other dishes that you can choose from (very much like a mixed rice store in a way where you pick the dishes that you want to accompany the fragrant coconut rice) - from deep fried chicken wings to fish cake, fish, squid, eggplant, eggs, and a wide variety of other vegetables. With the wide variety of dishes, it'll be hard pressed to find someone who isn't able to have an enjoyable meal here. The portions are however tiny,and their nasi lemak is pretty pricey! Very clean for a road side / hawker store though, even the toilets are kept clean - I was pretty impressed.

I like going to this place for a quick dinner. There is always a line up, but it goes pretty fast. The rice and chicken wing are so good!

While there are 2 branches you can choose to go to satisfy your nasi lemak cravings, I prefer the one at Tanjong Katong, simply because its bright, relatively new and clean! To me, it has the best chinese style nasi lemak with the home-made otah and awesome chilli sauce creating the perfect blend. Add in a fried chicken wing, some long beans, a fried sunny side up egg and some ikan bilis and you have the perfect meal for you. ] However, parking is a nightmare around the area since it draws a huge crowd all the time. You can either park at the public carpark across the road (the entrance is next to the petrol kiosk opposite) or park along on either side of the road since it has no markings.

Having been a fan of the original Punggol Nasi lemak for years, I can say that while this one isn't bad, it does still somehow disappoint. The rice, for starters, isn't as fragrant, and sometimes is a bit greasy. The rice portion also seems smaller. The chicken wing here is still good, and so are the other vegetable or rice dishes. But I feel less satisfied with the overall experience as it just doesn't seem like good value to pay so much for a meal that isn't that filling. Parking around here is a right pain in the proverbial... I'd come here later at night rather than around dinner time. The traffic here also does get pretty congested during the peak hours in the evening. I've witnessed accidents on this stretch 3 times already, no kidding. The place is clean and brightly lit, but I do prefer the food from the original stall. Can't really put my finger on what's wrong exactly, but the everything just feels that little bit off kilter.

I love Chinese style nasi lemak, and I suspect many others too, after that immensely popular Holland Village drama on Channel 8. This place is bright and airy, and incredibly crowded. The queues are ridiculously long, so much so that there are lines to mark out the direction for queueing. Parking is terrible, as the Tanjong Katong stretch is jam packed with eateries. I do find this place incredibly expensive though; a takeaway box can cost up to as much as $6 depending on the sort of ingredients one chooses. Yes, the rice is fragrant, chili has enough kick, chicken wing crispy but still, is a bit too steep for frequent stopovers. Heck, the place isn't even air-conditioned!

Nasi Lemak is one of the staples of Singaporean food and that's probably why its so popular. It's pretty common to see a long queue forming up during the evening and especially later at night, when most of us head out for supper. This branch located in the east, has a fairly decent amount of seating though parking can be a hassle as most of the time, you'll find cars either parked there or the nearby carparks full, which means a longer waiting time. What I usually do is to go there, queue up, order take away and proceed to somewhere else to indulge myself with the deliciously fragrant nasi lemak.