Ponggol Nasi Lemak - Takeaway Old School Style

Nasi Lemak in banana leaf folded into a pyramidal packet has been a popular takeaway meal since the days when there were fishing villages by the seafront in Singapore. Over the years, the conveniently packed rice meal had been sold by itinerary hawkers as well as in the markets and coffeeshops. Today, nasi lemak seldom comes in banana leaf but it is still a popular take-out item. Whenever we stood in the Ponggol Nasi Lemak queue, there always seemed to be many people in front of us ordering multiple packets of nasi lemak to take away.

Ponggol Nasi Lemak had humble beginnings as a supplier to hawker stalls but today it has its own specialty stores, including one in the swanky Capitol Singapore (read about our visit to Ponggol Nasi Lemak @ Capitol).

Tanjong Katong Ponggol Nasi Lemak

The outlet at Tanjong Katong occupies the ground floor of a shophouse at the corner of Parkstone Road and Tanjong Katong Road. The kitchen and food display counter occupy most of the interior. The tables for dining are all outside the shop.

There is almost always a queue at the popular Tanjong Katong nasi lemak shop because of the system it adopts. Whether it is the most efficient system is debatable. There is only one queue for all – whether you are eating in or taking out. When you are almost at the front of the queue you will be asked whether you are buying to takeaway and how many packets do you need. When you reach the front of the line, you pick the items that would go into each packet. You then pay the cashier.

Menu & Price List

There is a menu and price list on the wall. However, no one really looks at the menu. People just point out or shout out what they want. If anyone pays attention to the menu, he may think that he can get a “Prawn Date” at a nasi lemak stall (sounds like a title for a local novel”).

Nasi Lemak @ Tanjong Katong

We had eaten at Ponggol Nasi Lemak Tanjong Katong recently and had also bought packets to take home. Alas, the takeaway did not use banana leaf anymore but just Styrofoam box.

We like their coconut cream rice and chilli. Chicken wings, prawn roll, anchovies with peanuts and fried fish are among the most popular items. That means that those items on the display cabinet need to be replenished constantly. Thus, what we get are freshly cooked and still very hot.

Ponggol Nasi Lemak for Takeway

Ponggol Nasi Lemak is a great option for takeaway – whether it is to feed one a whole big family. It is old school. No frills. It is affordable and you get freshly cooked food that is delicious.