Slow Dinner with Fried Fish at Majulah Nasi Padang (Paya Lebar)

Tonight I went a little off my usual route for dinner. The food itself isn’t “exotic”, but because I rarely go for Indonesian food, this felt like a mini food adventure for me. Most days I stick to whatever fits my palate and my daily food budget, but once in a while I like to step out of that comfort zone and try something slightly different from my normal routine.

I ended up at Cantine by Kopitiam in Paya Lebar. Kopitiam branches are kind of my safe choice whenever I want affordable food with decent quality. The dining area here has that modern food court look... bright lights, long tables, and most importantly, good ventilation and air-conditioning. It’s not the biggest selection compared to the other Kopitiam in the nearby mall, but today I wasn’t hunting for endless options; I just wanted a nice, fuss-free dinner.

One stall immediately caught my eye: Majulah Nasi Padang. The green signage is hard to miss, and what really warmed my heart was their slogan highlighting that they’re a Muslim-owned establishment and everyone is welcome. That inclusive message sets a friendly tone before you even order anything.

Like many Nasi Padang stalls, the food is all pre-cooked and carefully arranged in metal trays. You simply point at what you want, and the staff piles it onto your plate of rice. I always find it a bit dangerous to stand there too long because everything looks tempting... curries, bright red sambal dishes, fried chicken, vegetables, and more. After scanning the spread, I decided to keep it simple and go for a whole fried fish with sautéed mixed vegetables.

It’s actually been quite a while since I last had a whole fried fish. Most of the time I go for fillets because they’re easier and safer to eat, no bones hiding in strange corners waiting to poke you. But tonight I wanted something a little more “hands-on” and challenging. A whole fish forces you to slow down and pay attention, and that was exactly the kind of dinner mood I was in.

The fish came out golden and crispy on the outside, resting next to a white rice and a nice sauteed vegetables. The first bite of fish was rewarding: the meat inside was still moist and fresh, and the outside had that satisfying crunch when you gently peel the flesh away from the bones. Because it was a whole fish, I automatically ate slower than usual, carefully checking around the bones. Honestly, this slower pace felt like a healthier way to eat, no rushing, just small careful bites and time to actually enjoy the flavours.

The sautéed vegetables were a nice balance to the fish. They were cooked just right, still slightly crunchy with bean sprouts, long beans and carrots adding colour and texture to the plate. Nothing overly complicated, just honest, homestyle flavours that go really well with plain rice.

When I was done, I looked at the receipt and smiled... SGD 6.00 for rice, whole fried fish, and vegetables, all enjoyed in air-conditioned dining area. For that price, plus the cosy, modern environment of the food court, I’d say it was a very good deal.

Overall, this simple plate of Nasi Padang reminded me that I should explore Indonesian food more often, not just treat it as an occasional detour. I’d happily come back to Majulah Nasi Padang to try their other dishes, maybe some curry or ayam goreng next time. For tonight though, that one humble plate of fried fish and veggies was exactly what I needed: slow, satisfying, and quietly memorable.

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