You rock up to the nasi lemak stall and stare at the rows of dishes in front of you. Faced with the dilemma of the huge nasi lemak menu, which dishes do you pick? Do you go for the safety of the chicken wing, or try a new set with something different? To help you decide, we’ve curated a list of our favourite nasi lemak sides that will pair wonderfully with the base of aromatic steamed rice. Read on to check out our top picks for the best Nasi Lemak side dishes in Singapore!

1. Chicken Wing

Chicken wings are an absolute must-have when tucking into nasi lemak. Nothing beats sinking your teeth into crispy skin and juicy, succulent chicken meat. The humble fried chicken wing or chicken thigh is a beloved side dish among Singaporeans and a mainstay in nasi lemak menus across the country. So the next time you find yourself yearning for fried chicken from the ole Kentucky Colonel, you can easily satisfy your craving with nasi lemak fried chicken instead!

2. Fried Egg (Mixed) 

In the mood for an egg-citing and eggcellent side dish? Then a fried egg is your best bet! While it usually isn’t the star of the meal, a mixed fried egg offers lovely crispy edges and adds a subtle fragrance to the overall dish. You could opt for sunny side up as a healthier option (runny yolk, anyone?), but the irresistible combination of blue pea rice and mixed fried egg can’t be beaten.

3. Sambal Prawn

If you’re not a big fan of meat, then seafood is the perfect choice for your nasi lemak set! Sambal prawns are perfect for seafood lovers. After all, who can say no to a heap of big, juicy prawns coated in a luscious chilli sauce? Enjoy the incredible sensation of sweet, salty, and spicy on your tongue at the same time when you take a bite into our sambal prawns. Guaranteed satisfaction for all!

4. Ikan Bilis & Peanuts

No authentic nasi lemak can do without a generous spoonful of ikan bilis (dried anchovies) and roasted peanuts on the side. The ikan bilis provides a mouth-watering savouriness and umami, while the peanuts offer a roasted nutty flavour that enhances the overall dish. In addition, both of them serve as a crunchy element that adds a variety in texture to each bite.

5. Chilli Fish

Fish is no stranger to traditional nasi lemak in Singapore. It is often seen served in many different variations, from fried selar fish to fish fillet. Many people love sweet and sour fish from zi char stalls in Singapore, so why not try it with nasi lemak too — but with a Thai-style twist? The creamy blue pea rice of nasi lemak goes beautifully with fried fish covered in Thai chilli sauce, not to mention the tangy flavour of the accompanying pineapple and onions!

BONUS: Mango Salad

Believe it or not, traditional nasi lemak isn’t the healthiest dish in the world as it often lacks a serving of fruits or vegetables. The cucumber you’d usually get is more of a garnish, as only one of two sleeves are normally included. With a set of Thai-inspired nasi lemak, you can enjoy a refreshing side of mango salad!

Apart from the satisfying crunch, the green mango offers a tanginess that cuts through the rich, creamy rice and fried chicken. It adds a healthy helping of fruits to a meal of meat and carbohydrates that leaves you feeling energised!

Spice Up Your Meal with Thai-Style Sides at Lavender Nasi Lemak

Still not convinced these are the best nasi lemak side dishes? Well, you will never know until you try! Here at Lavender Nasi Lemak, our selection of unique Thai-inspired sides is sure to add some spice to your life and leave you wanting more. Tuck into all these side dishes and more by dropping by our outlet at Yishun Blk 504. Alternatively, you can order from our online menu and enjoy fast delivery of nasi lemak to your home. 

We all love a good plate of nasi lemak. It’s something most Singaporeans have grown up with and are more than familiar with the traditional flavours of aromatic steamed rice, spicy sambal chilli, and savoury sides. But have you ever tried Thai-inspired nasi lemak? With a twist of Thai, this beloved dish takes on a whole new form that is both classic and delicious. Read on to discover what sets Thai-inspired nasi lemak apart from the traditional food we know and love!

The Ingredients

Grab a plate of nasi lemak at most hawker stalls in Singapore and you’ll experience the traditional flavours of coconut milk, pandan, and anchovies. As nasi lemak originated from Malaysia, it’s most traditionally made using these typical Malaysian flavours. However, Thai-inspired nasi lemak takes things one step further. By incorporating classic Thai ingredients and sides like mango salad, sour belacan chilli and blue pea-infused rice, a whole new version of nasi lemak is born! 

Not only are these Thai ingredients flavourful and delicious, but they also offer nutritional benefits! For example, the Thai green mango (also known as raw mango) that we use in our mango salad is packed with antioxidants and vitamins. These are great in helping to boost your immunity and the overall health of your heart, liver, and digestive system! 

What’s more, the blue pea flowers used to create our signature blue pea rice also contain powerful antioxidants that can enhance your skin tone, prevent premature ageing, and promote healthy hair growth. Who knew a plate of Thai-inspired nasi lemak could have so many benefits?

The Blend of Flavours

Traditional nasi lemak mostly comprises salty and spicy flavours from the side dishes and sambal chilli.  While savoury, this could end up tasting rather one-note after a couple of bites. In comparison, by adding a twist of Thai to nasi lemak, it opens up a whole new world of flavours! 

Traditional Thai flavour profiles are a well-balanced combination of sour, sweet, salty and spicy. The sweet and sour sauces go perfectly with the creamy steamed rice for an explosion of flavours in your mouth. There’s no better way to get a cross-cultural taste of both Singapore and Thailand together on one plate!

The Unique Side Dishes

Most of the time, nasi lemak comes with the standard fare of side dishes — chicken wing, cucumber, egg, peanuts and ikan bilis. Even at stalls where you have an array of dishes to choose from, most of them don’t stray far from typical ones like begedil, luncheon meat, fish fillet and other deep-fried items.

With Thai-inspired nasi lemak, you get to enjoy many unique and different side dishes that you don’t often find in Singapore. These include sambal prawn, chilli fish, mango salad, and more. And for those that love the crunch of ikan bilis, get ready for the superbly shiok crunch of crispy Keropok that accompanies every nasi lemak dish here at Lavender Nasi Lemak!

Get Your First Taste of Thai-Inspired Nasi Lemak at Lavender Nasi Lemak

Drooling for some Thai-style nasi lemak now? Lavender Nasi Lemak has got you covered. Our very own Chef Nolee (Auntie Nolee) is ready to whip you up a delectable plate of Thai-inspired nasi lemak to satisfy your tastebuds! With years of experience cooking in Chiang Rai, Thailand, Auntie Nolee’s famous nasi lemak menu is cooked with love and loved by many for its perfectly harmonious blend of local and Thai flavours. Try it for yourself by visiting us at Yishun Blk 504 or simply order online and enjoy delicious Thai-inspired nasi lemak delivered right to your doorstep in Singapore today!