Pondok Selera by Nurul Hidayah @ Marsiling Crescent serves delicious, authentic nasi padang that’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in northern Singapore. I first heard about this 24-hour nasi padang place when Mediacorp GOLD 905’s Denise Tan highlighted it on TV and her recommendation prompted me to check it out.

Location and Accessibility

This stall is nestled inside Kimly Coffeeshop (Lucky Star Eating House) at 211 Marsiling Crescent. Let’s be honest – it’s not the most convenient location if you don’t live nearby. There’s no MRT station within walking distance, so you’ll need to catch bus 903 from Woodlands Interchange. For Northsiders, it’s a manageable journey. However if you’re coming from the East or West, brace yourself for quite a trek.

Pondok Selera by Nurul Hidayah has expanded their presence with another outlet at 888 Woodlands Drive 50 and a central kitchen for catering services. If you’re interested in their catering options, check out their website for more details.

The Dining Experience

We arrived just after noon on a Monday to find the coffeeshop completely packed. The crowd consisted mostly of workers from nearby offices who had come to this coffeeshop for their lunch break.

While Pondok Selera by Nurul Hidayah offers typical Malay dishes like mee rebus, mee soto, mee siam, nasi ayam, and nasi lemak, we were there specifically for their nasi padang. Singapore has no shortage of excellent nasi padang options but we were curious to see how this north-side contender would stack up.

What We Ordered

My Selection: Ayam Rendang, Tempeh, Sambal Goreng, Begedil ($8)

The rendang sauce was thick, creamy and wonderfully lemak. I must say that the chicken leg portion was smaller than expected with limited meat to enjoy. The tempeh, however, was a standout – stir-fried with kecap manis, resulting in a flavoursome delight. I love tempeh regardless of how it’s prepared and this version was particularly good.

The sambal goreng came with tau kwa and long beans but no tempeh. I liked that it was the wet variety with the sambal leaning slightly sweet yet full of flavour. The begedil (potato patty) is always a must-have for me with nasi padang and their version was nicely seasoned.

I was slightly disappointed that sotong hitam wasn’t available that day – I would’ve definitely added it to my plate had it been an option.

Hubby’s Choice: Tempeh, Sambal Egg Tofu, Brinjal, Begedil ($5)

My husband’s plate featured the same excellent tempeh, along with sambal egg tofu containing pieces of cooked eggs and egg tofu. The brinjal was a simple stir-fry but executed well. His meal offered great value at just $5.

What Makes Pondok Selera Special

What makes Pondok Selera by Nurul Hidayah really special is how each dish has its own distinct flavour that shines through. When you pile them all on your plate, they somehow work together beautifully – you get these wonderful hits of savoury, sweet, and rich notes that just dance on your palate.

I’ve gotta say though, they don’t hold back on the seasoning. They’re pretty generous with the salt and sugar, which gives everything that bold, crave-worthy taste. It’s absolutely delicious, but honestly? It’s more of a treat than something I’d eat all the time. One of those “worth every calorie” meals you save for when you really want to indulge.

Is it the hands-down best nasi padang in Singapore? Probably not. Depending on where you live, you might find spots just as good (maybe even better!) without trekking all the way up north. Hjh Maimunah in Jalan Pisang or Rumah Makan Minang on Kandahar Street definitely give it a run for its money if you’re looking for amazing nasi padang closer to the city centre.

View of Johor Bahru from Woodlands Waterfront Jetty

Beyond the Food

Thanks to Denise’s recommendation, we also took the opportunity to visit Woodlands Waterfront after our meal. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the jetty, where we were surprised by just how close Johor Bahru appears – it felt like just a short swim away!

Final Thoughts

Pondok Selera by Nurul Hidayah. Is it worth trying? Here’s my honest take: the food is seriously good! Their nasi padang game is strong – flavours are on point, portions quite generous, and prices won’t make your wallet cry. The fact that they’re open round the clock is a total game-changer for northsiders with those late-night cravings. Can you imagine? Quality nasi padang at any hour – delightful!

But here’s where I keep it real with you – if you’re staying in the east like Tampines or all the way west in Jurong, don’t specially plan a food expedition just for this. Singapore is packed with excellent nasi padang joints in practically every neighbourhood. Unless you’re already in the area or particularly curious, the cross-island MRT journey probably isn’t justified.

That said, if you do find yourself in Marsiling (maybe visiting friends or after a late night out), definitely swing by! Just try to avoid weekday lunch hours when the office crowd descends. For northsiders though? Consider this place a hidden gem that deserves to be in your regular dining rotation.

Bottom line: For locals, it’s a must-visit. For everyone else, it’s an “if you’re in the area” kind of spot. Not because the quality isn’t there (trust me, it is!), but simply because Singapore has blessed us with too many good food options to justify travelling across the island for one meal. Unless you’re like me and will travel for food just to make content. Then, go for it!