Madam Lim’s Nasi Lemak at Holland Drive Market & Food Centre.

After reading about the backstory of Madam Lim’s Nasi Lemak, we were quite eager to check it out. We went to Holland Drive Market & Food Centre on a weekday around 11.30 am, hoping to beat the lunch crowd. But it was already crowded, The working folks in the Buona Vista MRT area seem to have early lunch hours.

Couple Sells Nasi Lemak After Returning From Scotland

According to a CNA article, Mr and Mrs Ng had ventured overseas to Edinburgh, Scotland to set up a restaurant some years back. But it was not to be. After encountering costly legal and renovation challenges, they were unable to have the restaurant opened in time. After losing about S$200,000 they decide to cut their losses and returned to Singapore.

Undeterred by the episode, the couple was still passionate about the f & b business. They attended a Hawkers’ Development Programme by the NEA, and launched Madam Lim’s Nasi Lemak in February 2024. Mr Ng cooks and Mrs Ng faces the customers. The stall bears the name of Mrs Ng: Madam Lim’s Nasi Lemak. I did not have a chance to speak with Mr Lim as he was busy cooking at the back. The food ordering process with Madam Lim was a very pleasant one.

Madam Lim’s Nasi Lemak Menu

The menu at this nasi lemak stall in Holland Drive Market & Food Centre is short and easy to order from. There are three set combinations to choose from – ayam berempah ($5.5), beef rendang ($7.5) and kunning fish ($3.80). Each of these are served with coconut rice, peanuts, ikan bills, sambal, egg and cucumber. There are a few add-ons available such as tau kwa and fried long beans (+$0.80).

We decided to go with the ayam and beef sets, both with long beans as add ons. The rice had a good smell of coconut but we thought that they were a bit soft. The eggs were well prepared with the yolks remaining soft but not too runny. The sambal was rather mild which was fine with us but would have preferred it less sweet. We liked the long bean add on as having some veg on the plate somehow made the meal more complete. They also tasted nice.

As for the meats, we thought that the chicken (picture below) was the star of the meal. Boneless chicken fried till very crisp but not over-done. It was easy to eat this chicken as compared to the usual deep-fried chicken wings. The beef rendang was good as well, cooked till very soft and tender. But we found the gravy to be too sweet for our taste. Overall, we think we will return just for Madam Lim’s Nasi Lemak with ayam berempah and added long beans.

For a future visit, we should remember to be there early (before 11am). It seems that this is a mostly lunch kind of food centre. It gets quiet after lunchtime is over. The main crowd turning up for dinner are the diners going for New Lucky Claypot – the famous (and Michelin Bib Gourmand) claypot rice stall at Holland Drive Hawker Centre.

Madam Lim’s Nasi Lemak
44 Holland Dr #02-01
Holland Drive Market and Food Centre
Singapore 270044

Opening Hours
Saturday to Wednesday: 8.30 am to 1.30 pm
Closed on Thursday and Friday

Nearby MRT Station: Buona Vista (EW21 CC22)

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