Food Picks: Makan Empire brings spice to Woodlands Health Campus
The 50-seat eatery at Woodlands Health Campus has a Healthy Choice Meal section on its menu, offering four versions of Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang's grilled chicken paired with brown rice.
Calling it brown rice might be a stretch. It is actually a mix of short-grained pearl rice and Thai riceberry, a deep purple wholegrain rice. Still, it is a healthier choice that does not skimp on flavour, thanks to the nutty aroma of coconut milk.
Grilled Ayam Taliwang Brown Rice at Makan Empire By Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Paired with a grilled chicken leg coated with a pungent Taliwang sambal of fresh red chill, candlenuts and plenty of sweet shallots, it is easy to make quick work of the rice.
The plate comes with a dollop of sambal for the nasi lemak, prepared from dried chilli, belacan, dried shrimp and red onion. Cooked for five hours and packed with caramelised onion, the sambal is sweet with a fiery punch.
For breakfast with a kick, the Ikan Bilis Sambal Toast Set ($6) delivers.
Ikan Bilis Sambal Toast Set with Teh O Pandan at Makan Empire By Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
While the sliced bread is plain, it is stuffed generously with spicy ikan bilis sambal. In fact, the avalanche of anchovies tips it slightly towards the salty side. The set includes two half-boiled eggs and a hot drink – opt for Teh O Pandan (additional 30 cents ), which is perked up with a fresh pandan leaf for a subtly floral lift .
Pandan leaf lends the Teh O Pandan a floral lift.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Indomee Kecap Sambal ($9.90) is served on a banana leaf-lined plate for that nostalgic hawker touch.
Instant noodle lovers will enjoy having it with a grilled chicken leg doused in a spicy sambal sweetened with kicap manis (sweet soya sauce).
Indomee Kecap Sambal at Makan Empire By Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Opened in December 2024, the eatery also carries a selection of staples from Warong Pak Sapari in collaboration with the Adam Road food stall. Mee Rebus Pak Sapari ($5.70) and Mee Soto Pak Sapari ($6) ro und out the menu and offer comforting choices for diners.
Mee Rebus at Makan Empire By Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Where: B2-05/06 Woodlands Health Campus, 17 Woodlands Drive 17
MRT: Woodlands South
Open: 8am to 9pm daily
Hedy Khoo is senior correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers food-related news, from reviews to human interest stories.
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