Husk Nasi Lemak has beef rendang nasi lemak in Bugis Cube
While we’re in no shortage of nasi lemak options here in Singapore, one of our most beloved (and gatekept) spots is on the verge of shuttering. Husk Nasi Lemak, hidden away within Bugis Cube, will not be renewing its contract after it ends on 30 June 2026.
As they were still standing strong three years after our first foray, we revisited them recently to see if their nasi lemak was still top-tier. Given the saddening news of their impending closure, we had to find out if their dishes were truly to be missed!
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Food at Husk Nasi Lemak
Boasting more than 14 years of culinary experience in local fare, as well as Balinese and Western cuisines, Chef Gideon Tan helms the small kitchen space at Husk Nasi Lemak. The team uses fresh ingredients and makes everything from scratch, with the exception of the externally-sourced achar.
This effort pays off tenfold—the rice, which is the very foundation of nasi lemak, is prepared with fresh coconut sourced daily from the market, resulting in light and fluffy nasi with an uber-fresh, coconutty fragrance. Thankfully, the rice wasn’t too lemak either, which kept us going back for more.
Their house-made sambal was also exceptional, possessing a deep savouriness and a tinge of sweetness, finished with a back-loaded punch of fiery spice. Pairing a healthy heaping of sambal with the aromatic rice made for a winning combination.
The cherry on top was the generous lashing of crispy batter bits, reminiscent of ayam penyet, but a tad sweeter—adding an addictive layer of contrasting crunchiness to the rice. These guys clearly know what they’re doing.
The Signature Chicken Cutlet Set ($10.80) is named a signature for a reason. It stars a decently sized slab of fried-to-order chicken cutlet, a secret recipe by Chef Gideon’s business partner Andrew, who had spent some time in Taiwan developing it.
This explains why the thigh cutlet was coated in a slightly sweet batter, which complemented the exceptionally juicy meat. I was also impressed by how crispy the chicken stayed throughout our long shoot.
Ikan bilis and peanuts are often deemed as the less important components of nasi lemak, but the ones served here were fried to perfection, elevating the dish. While dusted in sea salt, they added a delightful crunch to the soft rice, while not overly salty, so we wiped them out in no time.
If you love moo ping as much as I do, you have to try the Grilled Chicken Set ($10.80). Chef Gideon took inspiration from Thai-style grilled pork skewers, switching the protein to chicken instead. Sweet with a hint of char, the well-marinated meat was extremely flavourful, working well with the light coconut rice. My only complaint here was that the chicken was too dry for my taste.
Nevertheless, this dish is for those who prefer something less greasy than the deep-fried cutlet, and not as heavy on the palate.
Another meaty dish that caught my eye was the Sous Vide Beef Rendang Set ($15.80), which happened to be the most expensive item on the menu.
Just as I thought nothing could beat the rice, the rendang simply blew my expectations away. The sauce possessed a deep, tangy richness that hit the spot just right, complementing the fragrant rice extremely well. Most pieces of beef were melt-in-your-mouth tender as well, making me crave so much more.
All the nasi lemak sets came with a hanjuku egg, and we were delighted that all three of our dishes featured an IG-worthy yolk ooze.
Ambience at Husk Nasi Lemak
Bugis Cube is a short three-minute walk from Bugis MRT Station, which makes the location easily accessible via public transport. The casual eatery sits around 25 people, in addition to a couple of tables placed along the walkway. There’s also air conditioning in the mall, so you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable dining in.
When we were there on a weekday, there was a steady stream of office workers popping by during the lunch hour. It might be hard to snag a table if you’re visiting during peak timings!
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Eatbook review – Husk Nasi Lemak
While the prices of each plate of nasi lemak might be slightly eye-watering for most, we felt that they were well-justified for the amazing quality and well-crafted dishes. Even if the proteins were stripped away, I’d still return just for their impeccably cooked rice and addictive house-made sambal. It might be one of the last opportunities to savour Husk’s hearty and delicious nasi lemak, and I wouldn’t be skimping on that chance anytime soon.
If you’re a nasi lemak fan, check out Tanglin Cookhouse’s $29.90++ nasi lemak buffet. If you’re in the Bugis locale, check out our Bugis food guide.
Address: 470 North Bridge Road, #03-21, Bugis Cube, Singapore 188735
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 8pm, Sat 11am to 7pm
Tel: 9661 9159
Website
Husk is halal-certified.
Tanglin Cookhouse Has $29.90++ Nasi Lemak Buffet With Free-Flow Beef Rendang, Satay And More
Photos taken by Loo Jie Ling
This is an independent review by Eatbook.sg.
This article was first written on 3 May 2023.
Husk Nasi Lemak Is About To Close—Is This Highly Rated Spot Worth Trying Before It’s Gone?
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Husk Nasi Lemak Is About To Close—Is This Highly Rated Spot Worth Trying Before It’s Gone? – 8.5/10
8.5/10
Summary
Pros
– Nasi was light and flavourful
– Fried chicken was crispy and delicious
– Tender and flavourful beef rendang
– Convenient location
Cons
– Pricey for nasi lemak
– Grilled chicken was slightly tough
Recommended dishes: Signature Chicken Cutlet Set ($10.80), Sous Vide Beef Rendang Set ($15.80)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 8pm, Sat 11am to 7pm
Address: 470 North Bridge Road, #03-21, Bugis Cube, Singapore 188735
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