If you think nasi lemak is just a humble hawker dish, The Coconut Club will make you reconsider. This upscale eatery has gained fame (and some controversy) for its premium take on Singapore’s national dish—but is it worth the price? Here’s my honest review.
Nestled in the upscale landed housing Frankel Estate, The Coconut Club has earned a reputation as a culinary gem, celebrated for its dedication to perfecting one of the nation’s most beloved dishes: Nasi Lemak. This iconic Malay fragrant rice dish, infused with the rich aroma of coconut milk and pandan leaves, is a cornerstone of Singapore’s diverse food culture. At The Coconut Club, Nasi Lemak is not just a meal—it’s an experience crafted with passion, precision, and a deep respect for tradition.
What sets The Coconut Club apart is its unwavering commitment to quality. From sourcing the finest ingredients to meticulously preparing each component, every plate of Nasi Lemak tells a story of heritage and craftsmanship. The fragrant rice, cooked to perfection, is paired with crispy ikan kuning (fried fish), a flavourful sambal that strikes the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and a medley of accompaniments like cucumber slices, fried anchovies, and roasted peanuts. Each bite is a harmonious blend of textures and flavours, offering a taste of Singapore’s rich culinary legacy.
With Youtuber, Alderic recently awarding The Coconut Club’s version the best he had in his Nasi Lemak series, we had to try it again for ourselves. So we headed to their Siglap outlet on a Monday afternoon just before lunch hours. The carpark was full due in part to its limited parking space. There weren’t any customers dining when we got there but it could be because we were early. We then decided to do a takeaway of their Signature Ayam Goreng Berampah Nasi Lemak.
Breaking Down the Famous Nasi Lemak Set
Their Ayam Goreng Berampah Nasi Lemak consists of a spiced fried organic French GG poulet chicken leg, crispy rempah crumbs. Accompanied with a serving of coconut rice, fried egg, anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, sambal. Definitely a lot of work to prepare each individual component to bring together this nasi lemak.
Each component was nicely spaced apart in the takeaway box and looked appetising. The rice was fragrant and rice grains were distinct, the sambal was jammy and not spicy and it really went well with the rice. Anchovies were crispy and savoury and I believe they used Japanese cucumber, which had a good crunch.
The chicken was addictive and moist on the inside. The Coconut Club managed to elevate nasi lemak without losing its soul. The rice is excellent, the chicken is addictive and perhaps dining in would make it a unique dining experience. But at a premium price, it’s a once-in-a-while treat, not an everyday meal.
Have you tried The Coconut Club? Do you prefer hawker or gourmet nasi lemak?
Rating: 4 / 5
The Coconut Club
97 Frankel Ave, Singapore 458222
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Np6o73JUS5pVzdDZ7
