Dishing It Out - Rice Revival

Even the humble nasi lemak deserves the finest attention to detail.

- Jasmine Tay

It’s easy to rationalise forking out a double-digit sum for, say, carbonara or a club sandwich at a modern cafe in Singapore. But what about paying a similar sum for nasi lemak? It’s a curious situation that has driven debate on the matter: Why so much, compared to the usual $2.50 rice and fish wrapped in coconut leaves?

At Village Nasi Lemak Bar, a plate of the basic fare can go up to more than $10. “We get customers questioning our prices all the time,” says Michelle Chen, director of business development at the cafe-bar in Circular Road.