(Closed) Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah – MUST TRY Nasi Ambeng!

Maureen
Maureen
April 10, 2015

Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah serve traditional Ambeng Platter or Nasi Ambeng at East Village. Manage and own by a reputable catering company Dapur Ummi Abdullah Catering and Management Pte Ltd, it serves fragrant rice dish consists of white rice prepared with chicken curry or other Indonesian dishes, just like our Chinese version of chap chye perng.

Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah Front

Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah Menu

Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah's Traditional Ambeng Platter or Nasi Ambeng

Ambeng Cafe’s nasi ambeng sahan set comes in 2 or 3 pax. Three of us went for a late lunch and decided to go for the most expensive one on the menu – Classic Trio Set D ($48). Served on a big platter, the dish is completed with up to ten side dishes in portion for three (actually I think four pax also can). Dishes include ayam kalio, beef rendang, sambal sotong, ikan sambal bali, urap kencur, terung garem asam, sambal goreng, sambal kachang ikan bilis, begedel, telur belado, paru, ikan kering, serunding & sambal belachan. It is served the traditional way to encourage communal dining – so bring the whole gang, wash your hands and tuck in “makan tangan” style. Honestly, things always taste nicer when you tuck in with your hands.

Close Up On Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah's Nasi Ambeng
More Close Up On Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah's Nasi Ambeng
Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah's Curry Chicken

To make good nasi ambeng, the most important and basic ingredient is the rendang. And by having an excellent rendang is half the battle won. Ayam Kalio which is chicken cooked in a fragrant and slightly spicy coconut gravy served in a separate steel bowl. I love the gravy as you can clearly taste the strong flavours rendang, however, the chicken seems like it wasn’t cooked long enough for it to be infused with the sauce.

Side view of Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah's Traditional Ambeng Platter or Nasi Ambeng

Maureen Looking at Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah's Traditional Ambeng Platter or Nasi Ambeng!!!

Terung garem asam (eggplant in asam sauce) features soft and well-cooked eggplant with a delicious orange asam sauce. The beef rendang was well infused with aromatic and flavourful spices but unfortunately, it was too tough on our day of visit. Same goes for the ikan sambal bali which was slightly dry. However, the rest of the spicy dishes like sambal sotong, sambal goreng, sambal kachang ikan bilis, telur belado (fried egg in spicy gravy) were well executed with different types of chilli sauce used to cater to different ingredients.

Not forgetting, the sambal belachan at Ambeng Cafe is da bomb! It has a mild sweetness but very fragrant and fiery. Enjoy it without the sambal first to savour the traditional taste, then add in as much sambal belachan as you wish. I love it very much! No reservations or pre-order allowed for the time being.

Ambeng Cafe by Ummi Abdullah

Address: 430 Upper Changi Rd, East Village #01-65

Mobile: 6384 0495

Opening Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun 12pm till 8pm; Friday 3pm to 9pm. Closed on Monday

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambengcafe

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