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This Gerai Nenek Obek signature is perfect for the uninitiated as it comes with a pre-selected set of sides: well-cooked paru (lungs), super tender cuttlefish in a fiery sambal sauce, tempeh and a ball of bergedil. You can opt to pick your own sides too!
The rice comes drenched in a most flavourful sauce made by simmering kikil (beef tendon), buah keluak and beef fat(!!). If you need more, just ask and they'll be happy to ladle some more!
Originally a stall in Geylang Serai Market, Gerai Nenek Obek's second outpost (just a few doors down from Ugly Cake Shop) offers the same tasty Malay food, albeit in a more comfortable, almost hipster café setting — think hanging filament bulbs and painted bricks. Their Nasi Rawon (rice with black beef soup, $6) is a must-try, which comes with four sides: beef lungs (paru), cuttlefish in sambal, tempeh and begedil; you can opt to pick your own too — the mixed beef (sambal goreng pengantin) and crispy shrimps (udang gerago) come highly recommended. For a filling and fuss-free meal, go for the Nasi Ambeng (rice with meat and vegetables, $6.50) — you only need to choose from beef, chicken or fish for your main protein. Alternatively, pick and choose your dishes nasi padang style (average $6). Remember to say YES to the fiery chilli sauce!
*Halal-certified
Avg price: $6 per person
Photo by Burppler Muriel A
Saw this new eatery a few doors down from Ugly Cake Shop and found out that it's by the same folks behind a food stall in Geylang Serai Market with the same name. Was told that the assortment's pretty similar but they wanted to open a more café-like concept, which explains the hipster interior touches like hanging filament bulbs, painted brick and a wide glass pane facade.
While I was tempted to go for the Nasi Ambeng ($6.50, choice of chicken, fish or beef), I didn't want something too filing so I opted to pick and choose, nasi padang style. I went for the lemak chilli padi (no more asam pedas stingray 😞), brinjal and begedil (made fresh daily). I like how the chicken's sauce wasn't too rich, but still punchy in flavours and spice. Say yes to the spoonful of hiss and snot-inducing chilli sauce too!