Near-perfect nasi lemak with queue-worthy fried hen since 1997

The idyllic city of Changi Village is greatest identified for 3 issues: being a seaside city the place people go to after a bicycle journey from East Coast Park; having one of many previous few hawker centres that also retains its outdated appeal of the yesteryears; and being usually touted as a Mecca for the nasi lemak lovers. 3 of probably the most well-regarded nasi lemak stalls are situated right here, considered one of which is Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak which has been working since 1997.

Like any eatery promoting a basic dish loved by generations, all of them declare to be genuine. Whilst I’m not within the age group to gauge whether or not one is genuine or not, I do have a tough gauge of what a scrumptious plate of nasi lemak ought to include.

The Rice: Probably probably the most pivotal a part of a nasi lemak. There must be a transparent creaminess from the coconut milk used adopted by a whiff of pandan leaves added in. I do take pleasure in my lemak rice being barely overcooked.

The Sambal: For some, that is the important side of the dish, although I’ve loved good nasi lemak with sambal that got here from an industrial supply. In my opinion, the sambal must be barely sweeter than common with a good quantity of warmth. That method, it may be higher mixed with the opposite flavours on the plate.

The Fried Chicken: Usually, the hen wings are fried method earlier than they’re served so I’m fairly accepting of soggy hen. My solely expectation is to have the style of its seasoning come by, specifically turmeric.

The Ikan Bilis and Nuts: They could also be small however play a pivotal position in offering textures and distinct flavours. The nuts must be barely roasted, and one strategy to inform is that if it has a sure shine to them. The ikan bilis must be fried however solely as much as the purpose the place it’s crispy but nonetheless retains a level of chewiness. They shouldn’t be overly crispy or worse, uncooked.

The Egg: The kind of egg used usually varies between a chunk of omelette, over straightforward and boiled eggs. Personally, I desire mine fried with a runny yolk, although getting it’s a uncommon incidence.

What I attempted at Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak

Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak has all of your important nasi lemak choices. I had Set A (S$4) which consisted of egg, ikan bilis and fried hen. I additionally added a Begedil for S$1.

Some of the opposite units embrace Set C (fish, egg, ikan bilis) (S$5) and Set F (hen drumstick, egg, ikan bilis) (S$6). There are additionally extra fashionable additions equivalent to Set B (fish fillet, egg, ikan bilis) (S$3.50) and Set E (hotdog, egg, ikan bilis) (S$3.50).

I solely observed they used basmati rice after my first chunk. True sufficient, the creaminess was there, albeit not as robust as I’d prefer it. The basmati rice added a lighter chunk to the rice, which solely made me want there was extra on the plate. I might simply wolf down three parts of it.

The sambal was sadly on the tangier aspect of issues. It had a good quantity of warmth however the tanginess threw me off a bit. Weirdly, my sambal expertise appeared to be totally different from different critiques on-line, in addition to Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak themselves who declare to make use of “sweet sambal”. Hopefully, it wasn’t a foul batch.

In a perfect world, the GST would nonetheless stay at 7% and the yolk would have been runny and gooey. Unfortunately, actuality might be disappointing, because the egg I had acquired was nothing like that. On the plus aspect, it nonetheless tasted like the everyday egg out of your typical nasi lemak stall, the place it had been fried 4 hours earlier than being served.

Though now not heat, the fried hen was surprisingly crispy. And sure, the flavours of turmeric and salt have been additionally current. It was nonetheless decently juicy too. My solely gripe with it was how the plastic utensils supplied have been less than the duty of dissecting them. Needless to say, the hen wing was decreased to bones within the wink of a watch.

Despite not being accompanied by peanuts, the fried ikan bilis greater than held its personal. These little fried critters have been cooked simply how I appreciated them — fried but chewy. I might even eat them as finger meals! The peanuts would have been nice additions however I take what I can get.

The begedil was actually common. The exterior was decently seasoned, although there was some rawness that remained within the filling. I felt sorry for together with it on my plate because it was clearly out of its league when in comparison with the opposite elements. 

All of that ramblings result in a satisfying plate of nasi lemak. Make certain you could have each merchandise on a spoon for a tasty flavour occasion in your mouth. From the pillowy basmati rice, crispy hen, tangy sambal, fried egg and the mini ikan bilis umami bombs, that is how a dish stays a generational favorite!

Final ideas 

I do know most of you could have your individual thought of what a nasi lemak ought to have however for me, it is a few steps shy from my best one. That doesn’t change the truth that I had a stable nasi lemak expertise at Mizzy Corner Nasi Lemak. I can’t say it’s the perfect of what Changi Village Hawker Centre has to supply as there are nonetheless 2 stalls that my stomach is already grumbling for, so you possibly can guess that I’ll be again to strive the remaining in the future. 

If you possibly can’t take my phrase for it, the lengthy queues will.

Expected harm: S$3.50 – S$4 per pax

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