On the taste trail: Follow the Woodlands waterfront to 24-hour nasi padang with chicken rendang drenched in gravy

But there was one last gem from Hardy. “Our sambal tumis (sauteed chilli paste), the same one we use for nasi lemak, is actually what people enjoy the most. It’s not too spicy, not too sweet. It’s the sambal that brings everything together,” he said proudly. 

Another reason for a return visit. And maybe next time, I’ll check out their original stall at 888 Plaza at Woodlands Drive for their best-selling epok-epok, fried fresh to order. 

Pro-tip: Both 24-hour stalls are surrounded by parks and PCNs, so do a late walk and swing by at midnight when the food is hot out of the kitchen. 

“That is when the crowd starts to come because the food is the freshest,” Hardy advised.

Their chefs also replenish the dishes at midday, but it’s good to know that whenever the craving strikes, nasi padang is available round the clock at Nurul Hidayah. So go for the rendang, stay for the sambal and enjoy the family’s delicious tradition of comfort food made with heart. 

Pondok Selera by Nurul Hidayah is located at Kimly Coffeeshop, 211 Marsiling Crescent, Singapore 730211. It’s open 24 hours daily. 

Catch Makan Kakis with Denise Tan every Thursday from 11am on MediaCorp GOLD 905.