Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang Menu & Review @ Geylang Serai Market. Good but Pricey

Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang at Geylang Serai really needs no introduction. It is one of the most famous Nasi Padang stalls in Singapore and the busiest stall at Geylang Serai Market. It has a wide range of Nasi Padang dishes including all the classics like rendang meats. Spice use is comprehensive (no missing spices) and their flavours, aromas and intensity are finely tuned for balance. Delicious but prices are higher than average hawker centre levels.

Restaurant name: Sinar Pagi Nasi PadangAddress: 1 Geylang Serai, #02-137, Singapore 402001 (Geylang Serai Market)Tel: +65 9067 8907Hours: 9:00am - 8:00pm Halal

Through the years since the 1960s, I've been to Geylang Serai Market countless times. It is one of the best places in Singapore for Malay, Indonesia and Indian Muslim food. The popular food centre on level 2 is always crowded and Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang always spots the longest queue.

Two of us, so buddy went to "chope" seats while I joined the line. It took some 15 - 20 minutes to reach the front of the queue.

Like Nasi Padang stalls anywhere, Sinar Pagi's dishes are pre-cooked and displayed in a glass cabinet. There were at least 30 different dishes including the must have beef rendang, asam pedas etc.

They also have chicken rendang.

They have BBQ chicken (Ayam Panggang), one of my favourite Nasi Padang dishes.

Beef Tripe Kalio i.e. beef tripe curry.

Everything here for S$26 something. No receipt, so I don't know the price breakdown. More than a bit pricey but I like the taste of everything here.

The beef rendang was tender and juicy. Each fibre was infused with spice flavours but they were balanced and at just the right intensity for me. Fiery looking but just gently spicy hot. There was a bit of underlying beefiness which I like.

One of my favourite Nasi Padang dishes - tender and juicy BBQ chicken served in rich but mild curry with full coconut flavour and spice aroma. Love the toasty aroma and taste of the charred fringes of the grilled chicken thigh.

Could never resist fried beef lungs whenever they are available. Hard and chewy, it's like giving the jaw muscles a workout to extract the spice and savoury flavours from the jerky.

Lightly stir fried with a bit of spices is one of my favourite ways to eat crunchy taugeh (beansprout) and vegetables.

Obligatory fried tempeh (fermented soy bean cake), fried begedil (potato patty), and archar (crunchy pickled cucumber & carrot).

Two of us, we finished everything. It was nice. Actually I enjoyed this more than some that I had in Batam, Bintan, and Jakarta (I've not been to Padang before).

The challenge now is to look for comparable quality Nasi Padang in Singapore at more wallet friendly prices. Suggestions please 😄 Geylang Serai 1962. Image credit: National Archives of SingaporeSinar Pagi Nasi Padang was a street side stall in Geylang Serai founded by Haji Nasir Kiram who came to Singapore from Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra in the 1960s. Bukit Tinggi is, of course, the home of Minangkabau and Nasi Padang.

Geylang Serai Market 1964. Image credit: National Archives of SingaporeHaji Nasir Kiram's road side Nasi Padang stall moved into Geylang Serai Market (which opened in 1964).

Geylang Serai Market 1971. Image credit: National Archives of SingaporeGeylang Serai Market was a foodies' haven.

Geylang Serai Market 2010. Image credit: National Archives of SingaporeThe old market was demolished in 2006 and completely rebuilt. Expanded and modernised, it re-opened in 2010. Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang moved back into Geylang Serai Market at its present location at level 2. Sinar Pagi is run by the third generation now. It has two outlets, here in Geylang Serai Market and at 327 Joo Chiat Road.

 Geylang Serai Market 2020Today, Geylang Serai Market is still a favourite foodie hangout especially for traditional Malay, Indonesian and Indian Muslim food. I love it here. Johor Kaki is the best Malaysia food blog in 2013, and best Singapore food blog in 2013 and 2014. If you like or more like have the tummy space for it, you can pair Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang with Hamid's Nasi Biryani while you are at Geylang Serai Market 😄 Date visited: 5 Nov 2019, 23 Jul 2020