From bakeries serving up toothsome desserts to communal meals with a myriad flavours to sample, the western region of Singapore is home to delicious halal dining options waiting to be discovered.
Clementi
Located on the fringe of Singapore’s western region, Clementi is home to the National University of Singapore, one of the world’s top universities. If you’re eager to expand your own realms of knowledge, drop by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, which houses exhibits highlighting the spectacular biodiversity of Southeast Asia.
Yassin Kampung
Be transported back in time to a Singapore of yesteryear at Yassin Kampung. True to its name—which references the kampong (traditional villages) of the past—this establishment serves up a range of rustic sharing plates and traditional dishes.
The dishes here are meant to be enjoyed zi char (communal dining) style, so be sure to round up some of your buddies before visiting. Local flavours abound at this eatery, and we suggest sampling a taste of Singapore by ordering their kampong durian chicken, a bold, experimental dish that’s unique to this establishment. Known as the king of fruit, the pungent durian is an iconic local delicacy, and is sure to sate your cravings for new tastes.
Yassin Kampung. 160 Clementi Street 12 #01-56, Singapore 120106. +65 6717 1717.
Daily 11am-midnight.
Niqqi’s The Cheese Prata Shop
A favourite haunt of hungry undergraduates and West-side residents looking for a late-night supper fix, Niqqi’s The Cheese Prata Shop is a 24-hour eatery that specializes in traditional Malay fare.
As you can probably guess from the establishment’s name, roti prata (South Indian flatbread) is the star of the show here. This crispy treat is served with either fish or mutton curry, and comes with a plethora of fillings, ranging from traditional eggs and onions to unorthodox flavours like bananas and strawberries.
We suggest opting for their signature cheese prata, and eating it with your fingers for an authentic local dining experience.
Niqqi’s The Cheese Prata Shop. 18 Clementi Road, Singapore 129747. +65 6872 2577.
Daily 24 hours.
Bukit Timah
Famous for its verdant green spaces, scenic Bukit Timah is home to Bukit Timah Hill—the highest natural point on the island—and Singapore’s last primary rainforest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Lynn’s Cakes & Coffee
For a selection of scrumptious cakes that will remind you of your grandma’s baking, hop on a cab and head to tranquil Eng Kong Terrace.
Located in suburban Bukit Timah, Lynn’s Cakes and Coffee boasts a selection of scrumptious cakes, alongside piping hot cups of coffee and tea for those hankering for a midday caffeine fix. The cakes here tend towards classic flavours like red velvet and salted caramel, but we suggest trying their carrot cake, a tangy treat complemented with a cinnamon finish.
Lynn’s Cakes and Coffee. 11 Eng Kong Terrace, Singapore 598983. +65 6314 2886.
Tue-Sun 11am-7pm.
Jurong
An industrial estate with a rich history, Jurong is home to numerous heritage sites like Hong Kah Village, Jurong Hill and Jurong Railway.
Hajjah Mariam Café
Malay cuisine is an integral part of Singapore’s landscape, and you can discover some of the culture’s most beloved dishes at Hajjah Mariam Café.
This halal restaurant serves up delicious staples like mee soto (chicken noodle soup), mee rebus (boiled noodles served in curry gravy) and nasi ambeng. If you’re visiting in a large group, we recommend ordering the latter—a fragrant rice platter that comes with various side dishes including paru goreng (fried beef lung) and bergedil (fried potato patties).
Singapore is home to myriad traditional beverages, and this is a great place to find your favourite. We suggest partaking in some of the beverages on offer here, which include kopi o (traditional black coffee) and Milo Dinosaur. The latter is a sinfully sweet chocolate malt beverage topped with a heap of undissolved Milo powder.
Westgate Shopping Mall. 3 Gateway Drive #B2-08, Singapore 608532. +65 9062 0041.
Daily 10am-9pm.
Isuramuya
You don’t have to travel to Japan to experience an authentic rendition of its cuisine. Isuramuya is a Halal-certified restaurant that prepares all its dishes using traditional Japanese techniques, with ingredients flown in from Japan. Besides a range of sushi—which includes maguro (tuna) and kajiki toro (swordfish)—the restaurant also serves up piping hot bowls of ramen (Japanese noodles), with chicken broth instead of pork. For a unique spin on a bite-sized treat, order a plate or two of their green tea and sesame-flavoured gyozas.
If you’d like to experiment with incorporating Japanese-styled spices and ingredients into your home cooking, the restaurant also features a marketplace, where you can purchase various ingredients like Siamese crab meat, bonito flakes and dry ramen.
JCUBE. 2 Jurong East Central 1 #04-19, Singapore 609731. +65 6262 3008.
Daily 11.30am-3pm, 5-9.30pm.
Whether you’re looking for cosy eateries, thrilling itineraries or places of worship in the neighbourhood, the Muslim Visitor’s Guide has got you covered! Download your copy here.