Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak at Amoy Street Food Centre

On my recent visit to Singapore, I knew I wanted to try nasi lemak, but I wasn’t sure where to go. In the past, I have gone to Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak. While I enjoyed this stall, I wanted a spot closer to my hotel near Chinatown.

After a quick Google search, I stumbled upon Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak. The name stuck out before I even looked at the photos or reviews. Either way, I knew this was the spot for me.

Located in Singapore’s Amoy Street Food Centre, Spicy Wife is popular for its nasi lemak. Since opening in 2022, the stall has become popular for its Malaysian-style Ayam Goreng Berempah (spiced fried chicken).

If you plan on going, there are a few things to know. First, it’s easy to reach, a quick walk from the Telok Ayer or Tanjong Pagar MRT stations. Second, they are only open from 10:45 AM to 2:00 PM, so plan accordingly. Finally, the stall can be hard to find if it’s your first time. The easiest way to find it is to head to the southwest corner of the second floor and look for stall #02-119 with the bright yellow sign.

Arrival at Amoy Street Food Centre

Due to their popularity, the lines can get pretty long. On the metro over, I was questioning if I should have gotten there right at opening at 10:45 AM.

By the time I arrived around 11:15 AM, there was already a line. Thankfully, since the office workers weren’t on their lunch break yet, there were only 10 to 12 people in front of me. I got in line and hoped the wait would be worth it.

After 20 minutes, I reached the front of the line where I ordered, paid, and took my plate of food.

I’d recommend arriving as close to opening as you can, but no later than 11:30 AM. After that, the line doubled, and seating in the hawker centre was just about full.

Tip: If you see tissues, napkins, or small items on a table, it means someone is saving those seats. This informal practice of reserving seats in busy hawker centres is known as “Chope” Culture.

If you have the time, be sure to try more stalls in Amoy Street Food Centre. If you don’t know what to try, look out for the stalls with the longest lines. I recommend Xin Heng Handmade Noodle (#02-97) and Wah Kee Noodle (#02-125).

Looking for a drink such as teh tarik (pulled tea)? Check out Bismi Tea Stall (#02-85). The New York Times even featured this stall. The tea here is creamy and sweet with a slightly bitter taste.

One-Man Operation

As I waited in line, I enjoyed watching the man operating the stall. I couldn’t believe how many things he was doing at once. I don’t know how he was doing so many takes at once and all alone.

He was doing everything. I saw him dropping marinated pieces of chicken into bubbling woks of oil with flames rising from the bottom, and then setting a small timer for every batch. While doing that, he was also taking orders, processing payments, and packing up takeout. It was a well-oiled machine, and quite a sight to watch as he moved quickly around the small kitchen.

Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak Menu

As with many hawker stalls in Singapore, the menu at Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak had only a few items, but the ones they had, they did well.

The menu featured three set meals: Aromatic Chicken or Chicken Rendang, both served with egg, ikan bilis (dried anchovies), peanuts, and sambal chili. There was also Mutton Rendang, which came with mutton instead of chicken. Other than that, there were add-ons for extra rice, egg, ikan bilis, peanuts, and extra chili.

Unfortunately, on my visit, the Aromatic Chicken was the only option, so I ordered that. I probably would have ordered it anyway.

Aromatic Chicken

As mentioned before, on my visit, the only option I could order on the menu was the Aromatic Chicken. The plate came with chicken, egg, ikan bilis (dried anchovies), peanuts, and sambal chili.

At the time of my visit, the Aromatic Chicken Set cost $6.50 SGD. While there are cheaper options, this was reasonable for the stall’s location in the Central Business District.

Compared to other nasi lemak I have had, their Ayam Goreng Berempah (spiced fried chicken) was the star of the dish. It’s hard to see in the photo, but the plate came with two large pieces. Fried fresh, the chicken was crunchy on the outside and juicy inside.

Instead of a standard batter, the chicken got its smoky flavor and signature crunch from a traditional spice paste featuring lemongrass, galangal, coriander, and fresh curry leaves.

Just as impressive was the rice, hidden under the chicken. While simple, the rice had an aromatic flavor that complemented the smoky chicken.

Other than that, the dish was simple. There was a fried egg with a runny yolk, salty, crispy ikan bilis, fresh cucumbers, crunchy peanuts, and a spicy, salty, and chunky sambal chili. I really enjoyed the contrast of the spicy sambal and salty anchovies.

While simple on its own, the combination of textures and salty, savory flavors made this a great dish.

Service

If you plan on visiting, be patient. The whole thing is a one-man operation. Waiting in line, I enjoyed watching the man work. He was impressively pushing out plate after plate, packing takeout orders, frying chicken, and plating everything himself.

Since it’s a hawker stall, I waited my turn in line, ordered, paid, grabbed my plate, and went to find a seat.

As with most hawker centres, cash is king. As a foreign visitor, I paid in cash, which I recommend. However, there was also a “Scan to Pay” QR code set up at the front. If you have local payment apps like GrabPay, DBS PayLah!, or NETS, you can pay with your phone. The sign also displayed international options, including Alipay, WeChat Pay, American Express, and Discover.

My Final Thoughts on Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak is one of my favorite dishes whenever I travel to Southeast Asia. The comfort dish is affordable, filling, and I can enjoy it at any hour of the day.

While Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak was not on my original list of restaurants to try in Singapore, I am glad I stumbled upon the small stall hidden inside Amoy Street Food Centre.

Though simple, the nasi lemak here was everything I could ask for. The chicken was crispy, juicy, and smoky, while the other sides added salty, spicy, and savory flavors that brought everything together.

Having eaten my way through Singapore’s hawker centres, I can say that Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak serves some of the best nasi lemak. If you find yourself in Singapore’s Chinatown, I highly recommend a visit. If you want to try more delicious local food, check out my reviews of Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice or Singapore Zam Zam.

Pros

• One of the best nasi lemak in Singapore
• Large pieces of freshly prepared fried chicken
• Great value for a filling meal in the CBD
• Easy to access with MRT

Cons

• Often a long line (especially during the lunch rush)
• Limited hours and closed on weekends
• Some items sell out
• Stall can be hard to find on the second floor

More Singapore Travel and Food Guides

If you are planning a trip to Singapore, be sure to check out some of my other guides to help you plan your itinerary:

• 14 Things I Learned on My First Trip to Singapore
• How to Get From Changi Airport to the City Center
• Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre
• Singapore Zam Zam: The Best Murtabak in Singapore Since 1908
• Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant Review

Last Updated on April 7, 2026