Long-Lost Malay Dish ‘Nasi Beringin’ Revived At Yishun: It Was Once Served To Royalty In The 1890s

One would typically associate Malay food with Nasi Lemak, Mee Rebus, Nasi Padang etc.

However growing up as a Malay in Singapore, most of us would probably have never heard of this Malay dish called Nasi Beringin.

This Malay dish was once sold in Singapore for a short period of time in the 1950s but gradually disappeared from the local Malay food scene.

Chef Fahmi Rahaman decided to revive this long lost Malay dish that was once served to the Johor Royalties in the late 1890s.

[caption id="attachment_37556" align="aligncenter" width="5588"]nasi beringin (L) Khairul Afnan (R) Fahmi Rahaman | Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

Reviving A Long Lost Dish

Introduced in the late 1890s, Nasi Beringin was first popularised within the compounds of the Johor Royalties. Sultan Sir Ibrahim, then the 2nd Sultan of Johor in the modern era, regularly had this dish in his feasts especially when guests were invited to dine in the palace.

Nasi Beringin, was also called the “Nasi Bering Harum” (Fragrant Beringin Rice), as the scent from the dish never fails to invigorate one’s palate.

[caption id="attachment_37554" align="aligncenter" width="6000"]nasi beringin Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

Owner of Fifty50 Empire, Fahmi Rahaman who was an ex Assistant Head Chef with Timbre Group recently set up stall at Yishun Park Hawker Centre together with his partner, Khairul Afnan selling Nasi Beringin.

Nasi Beringin is served with traditional favourites such as the Ayam Kurma, Rendang, and Achar which combines all the sweet, sour, spicy and savoury elements into a harmonious unity within a plate.

At Fifty50 Empire, you are given a wide range of meat to choose from – Fried Chicken Wing (Signature), Fried Fish, Beef Rendang, Tiger Prawn, Fried Squid which comes in various portion size (lite, double, triple).

[caption id="attachment_37549" align="aligncenter" width="6000"]nasi beringin Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

They also provide three different sauces – rendang, kurma and masak merah. The sauces are really unique as they were taught to him by his mother.

If you’re wondering how Nasi Beringin tastes like, its basically a cross between Nasi Lemak and Nasi Briyani. Fahmi uses short grain basmati rice that is cooked with a variety of spices and oil resulting in rice that’s temptingly fragrant. Delicate hints of cardamom, cloves, star anise and fenugreek can be discerned in the rice.

[caption id="attachment_37551" align="aligncenter" width="6000"]nasi beringin Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

The prawns were definitely the star of the entIre dish. The prawns were fresh and battered to give it a slight crunch. We recommend pairing the Prawns with Masak Merah Sauce.

[caption id="attachment_37553" align="aligncenter" width="5531"]nasi beringin Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

The chicken wing was as impressive as the prawns. Instead of coating the chicken in a thick batter, the wings are lightly coated with flour and his blend of spices before frying. This makes a lot of difference to the chicken as the batter won’t soak up the oil and this also keeps it crispy.

[caption id="attachment_37555" align="aligncenter" width="5358"]nasi beringin (L) Kurma Sauce (R) Masak Merah Sauce | Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

If you’re looking for a traditional way of eating Nasi Beringin, we highly recommend pairing the Chicken with Kurma Sauce which is made from coriander, cumin, coconut, curry and chili.

[caption id="attachment_37552" align="aligncenter" width="6000"]nasi beringin Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]

The Beef Rendang is another favourite of Fahmi’s. The beef was tender and tore apart easily. I also liked the fact that the rendang was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

Each plate of Nasi Beringin comes with sambal belacan for the extra kick, achar to cut the acidity of the dish as well as a crispy piece of papadum.

As compared to Malay dishes such as Nasi Lemak and Nasi Padang which can be pretty heavy as a lunch option, the Nasi Beringin did not leave me with a food coma.

If you’re ever in Yishun, and looking for a change from your typical Malay fare, you know where to go for a good meal.

Fifty50 Empire Nasi Beringin
Address: 51 Yishun Avenue 11, Singapore, 768867
Opening Hours: 11am to 9pm daily. Closed for Friday Prayers from 1pm- 2pm
Website

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(Header Image Source: Discover SG)

Try 26 Hawker Dishes For $1 Each At This Carnival In Yishun Park Hawker Centre

For the longest time, Singaporeans have complained about the increasing prices of food and housing.

But for a day in the month of June, Yishun Park Hawker Centre is taking things back to the old days, when food was still cheap, and a crisp $10 note made you seem like a rich man.

[caption id="attachment_35123" align="aligncenter" width="2588"]$1 Carnival - Reunion @ YPHC Image Credit: Yishun Park Hawker Centre[/caption]

What I’m saying is, on 23 June 2018, Yishun Park Hawker Centre will be having a $1 Carnival – Reunion @ YPHC to commemorate and celebrate both traditional and new hawker food.

Old And New Hawker Fare

For ONE DAY ONLY, 26 stallholders in Yishun Park Hawker Centre will be showcasing food from its traditional and young hawkers and you get to try the signature dishes from the participating stalls, for just ONE DOLLAR.

[caption id="attachment_35131" align="aligncenter" width="933"]$1 Carnival - Reunion @ YPHC Image Credit: Yishun Park Hawker Centre[/caption]

Happening from 11am to 5pm on 23 June 2018, you get to dig into signature hawker dishes such as thosai, prata with curry and prawn noodles. Look out for JJ’s Prawn Noodles, which are known for their rich and complex broth.

[caption id="attachment_35124" align="aligncenter" width="1050"]$1 Carnival - Reunion @ YPHC Image Credit: Yishun Park Hawker Centre[/caption]

Other dishes to look out for include the handmade fishballs from Fishball Story and the smooth Chicken Porridge from Li Fang Congee.

[caption id="attachment_35125" align="aligncenter" width="1049"]$1 Carnival - Reunion @ YPHC Image Credit: Yishun Park Hawker Centre[/caption]

While the traditional hawkers have stood the test of time and are exceptional at what they serve, the new hawkers (we call them hawkerpreneurs) hold their own too, serving up some pretty impressive dishes.

Once again, Ah Tan Wings leads the charge with his Har Cheong Gai (Prawn Paste Chicken).

[caption id="attachment_35126" align="aligncenter" width="1048"]$1 Carnival - Reunion @ YPHC Image Credit: Yishun Park Hawker Centre[/caption]

Ah Lock Tofu serves up fluffy taupok skewers and Nasi Lemak Taliwang brings their addictive spicy Sino-Indo Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang to the table.

[caption id="attachment_35127" align="aligncenter" width="1050"]$1 Carnival - Reunion @ YPHC Image Credit: Yishun Park Hawker Centre[/caption]

Haven’t seen anything you like yet? How about the Lala White Beehoon from XLX Modern Tze Char that boasts some intense umami flavours?

[caption id="attachment_35128" align="aligncenter" width="1050"]$1 Carnival - Reunion @ YPHC Image Credit: Yishun Park Hawker Centre[/caption]

Seafood Pirates serves up a mean Prawn Omelette Rice and Midas Every Touch Is Gold spoils the market with a Midas Signature which includes baked prata, curry and roasted chicken.

[caption id="attachment_35129" align="aligncenter" width="1048"]$1 Carnival - Reunion @ YPHC Image Credit: Yishun Park Hawker Centre[/caption] [caption id="attachment_35130" align="aligncenter" width="1050"]$1 Carnival - Reunion @ YPHC Image Credit: Yishun Park Hawker Centre[/caption]

Now that’s really making the most out of a dollar.

Flea Market

Of course, no carnival is complete without a flea market and carnival games!

There will also be a flea market for the adults, carnival games stations for the kids and the young at heart, a colouring contest, as well as an instant photobooth to capture the moment!

While the $1 Carnival runs from 11am to 5pm, the flea market will close later at 8pm.

Return Your Trays And Stand To Win Store Credits

Yishun Park Hawker Centre encourages diners to return their own tray after eating and every tray returned is a chance to win in the Tray Return Lucky Draw.

There will be a total of $1000 worth of store credits to be won in the Tray Return Lucky Draw.

For those of you living in Sembawang and Khatib, there will be complimentary shuttle bus services available to take you to Yishun Park Hawker Centre.

From 10.45am to 3pm, there will be pick-ups and drop-offs at Sembawang, Khatib and Yishun MRT station.

Are you ready for a sensational Saturday feast for $1?

Don’t forget to bring your friends and family so you get to try as many dishes as possible!

$1 Carnival – Reunion @ YPHC
Venue: Yishun Park Hawker Centre, 51 Yishun Avenue 11, Singapore 768867
Date: 23 Jun 2018
Time: 11am – 5pm (flea market closes at 8pm)
Website

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(Header Image Source: Yishun Park Hawker Centre)