Best and Worst Singapore Hawker Malay Foods: Biryani, Rendang, Lemak Cili Padi and More
Get the nutritional content of popular Singapore hawker Malay foods from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
Are you watching your calories? Are you especially concerned about your saturated fat, cholesterol or sodium intake?
To help you along, Health Xchange, in collaboration with the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at
KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), has developed an easy colour-code guide for quick reference. Colours are based on the following legend.
Colour Legend |
Amount Per Serving |
| Healthy |
| Moderate |
| High |
Nasi Biryani with Chicken (488g) - Rice cooked with ghee and spices, spicy chicken
| Kcal | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Saturated fat (g) |
877 |
39 |
35 |
14.8 |
Dietary fibre (g) | Carbs (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) |
8.4 | 102 |
158 |
1656 |
Comment: Although this dish is a good source of fibre and protein, it is very high in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Eating this dish provides 50% or more of the daily total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium allowance for an adult!
Beef Rendang (93g) - Malay style, chunky beef cooked in chilli paste
| Kcal | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Saturated fat (g) |
208 | 24 |
12 |
5.8 |
Dietary fibre (g) | Carbs (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) |
2.6 | 1 |
83 |
466 |
Comment: Choosing this item alone provides 25% of the cholesterol and saturated fat allowance for 1 day, so pair it with steamed white rice (instead of flavoured rice like briyani rice) and stir-fried vegetables (instead of vegetables in lemak gravy).
Ayam Goreng(80g) - Chicken pieces marinated with turmeric and salt, deep fried with skin
| Kcal | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Saturated fat (g) |
141 | 16 |
9 |
3.1 |
Dietary fibre (g) | Carbs (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) |
0 | 0 |
56 |
228 |
Comment: Choosing this item alone provides more than 50% of the fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium allowance for 1 meal. Removing the skin before eating will reduce the fat, saturated fat and cholesterol contents.
Nasi Goreng (377g) - Cooked rice with eggs, mixed vegetables and tomato sauce, stir-fried
| Kcal | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Saturated fat (g) |
742 |
21 |
27 |
11.3 |
Dietary fibre (g) | Carbs (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) |
4.1 |
103 |
200 |
1467 |
Comment: This dish should be eaten very occasionally as it is high in energy, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. It is also low in fibre.
Mee Goreng (309g) - Yellow noodles with vegetables, sprouts, egg, cooked in tomato, chilli sauce
| Kcal | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Saturated fat (g) |
500 |
18 |
20 |
8.3 |
Dietary fibre (g) | Carbs (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) |
4.4 | 61 |
135 |
1851 |
Comment: Although this dish is moderately high in energy and fat, it should not be eaten regularly as it is high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. It is also low in fibre.
Mutton Satay (Meat Only) (11g) - Mutton with added spices, skewered & charcoal-grilled (no peanut gravy)
| Kcal | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Saturated fat (g) |
31 | 3 | 1 | 0.6 |
Dietary fibre (g) | Carbs (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) |
0 | 2 | 12 | 32 |
Comment: Limit to 5 sticks of satay and omit the peanut gravy to avoid consuming too much cholesterol and saturated fat. To increase your fibre intake, ask for more cucumber.
Ayam Masak Lemak Cili Padi (293g) - Chicken with coconut milk, simmered, Malay style
| Kcal | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Saturated fat (g) |
342 |
21 |
28 |
15.1 |
Dietary fibre (g) | Carbs (g) | Cholesterol (mg) | Sodium (mg) |
1.4 | 2 |
83 |
480 |
Comment: Choosing this item alone provides 70% of the saturated fat allowance for 1 day, and more than 70% of the cholesterol, fat and sodium allowance for 1 meal.
For more information on the
nutritional content of common hawker Malay breakfast foods in Singapore, see previous page.
Ref: S13
Other articles to help you make better food choices when eating out:
Chinese Hawker Food: Ranking the Healthiest to Most Unhealthy Dishes
Indian Hawker Food: Ranking the Healthiest to Most Unhealthy Dishes
Eating at the Food Court: Tips to Make Healthier Choices