My Spice Affair at Aperia Mall represents a cherished culinary establishment that brings authentic Indonesian and Javanese cuisine to Singapore's vibrant Kallang district, specializing in traditional recipes that have been perfected since the 1970s while maintaining cultural authenticity and exceptional flavor profiles. Located at #02-11 Aperia Mall, this distinguished restaurant serves as the modern successor to beloved Malacca recipes originally from Jalan Kayu, offering customers access to genuine Indonesian comfort food that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Java and surrounding regions. The establishment operates with dual identity, serving traditional Nasi Padang during daytime hours and transforming into a specialized Nasi Ambeng café from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, providing diverse Indonesian dining experiences that cater to various meal preferences and cultural traditions.
The comprehensive menu showcases authentic Indonesian specialties including the signature Nasi Ambeng, a fragrant rice dish that originates from Java and represents the pinnacle of Javanese culinary artistry with its complex flavor combinations and traditional preparation methods. The restaurant's commitment to authenticity extends to their use of traditional spice blends, cooking techniques, and presentation styles that ensure each dish delivers the genuine taste profiles appreciated by Indonesian cuisine enthusiasts and curious food explorers alike. Additional offerings include classic Indonesian curries, grilled meats, vegetables preparations, and traditional sides that provide complete meal experiences while maintaining halal certification standards and accommodating diverse dietary preferences within Singapore's multicultural dining landscape.
Operating within Aperia Mall's dynamic dining ecosystem, My Spice Affair provides customers with convenient access to authentic Indonesian cuisine while enjoying the mall's comprehensive shopping, entertainment, and transportation amenities near Lavender and Bendemeer MRT stations. The restaurant's strategic location serves both Indonesian community members seeking familiar flavors and local food enthusiasts interested in exploring traditional Southeast Asian cuisine in a comfortable, accessible environment. With commitment to preserving authentic Indonesian culinary traditions, maintaining consistent food quality, and providing warm hospitality that reflects Indonesian cultural values, My Spice Affair continues to serve as an essential cultural bridge that brings the rich flavors and culinary heritage of Indonesia to Singapore's diverse dining community while celebrating the timeless appeal of traditional Javanese comfort food prepared with care, respect, and genuine passion for authentic cuisine.
I have eaten at their shop a couple of times over the years, and unfortunately, the standard is not consistent.
Because of the lack of choices for Muslim or Malay food here, you will end up at Spice Affair.
First of all, it's always crowded at lunchtime. The space between seats is really tight too.
So we decided to get takeout this time.
They only serve individual packets where you choose your rice and dishes. They do not allow buying dishes individually.
Total lack of flexibility.
Next, they are on the pricier side. Begadil or a tofu dish is almost $2, while meat is around $4 (beef rendang is slightly more).
So a meal there is easily $10 per person without a drink.
The beef was a huge disappointment. A few of us ordered it, and it was tough and left an unpleasant sensation on the tongue, a bit tart. The spices had not infused into the meat, and it was really tough to chew. Even tearing it with the utensils was tough.
The tofu was relatively good in comparison.
Begadil was tasty, but really small for the price, like a ping-pong ball smashed flat.
There are better Padang stalls out there.
Zi Yan
Flavorful, but below Malay food standards, especially when the kitchen uses old, frozen ingredients. Especially the chicken, it's always overcooked and dead-dry and rubbery, hazardous to your gums and health. Expensive, $$.
Sam Foo
Staff was polite and service was good. We ordered Ambeng Light: Fish Sambal and Chicken Lemak, and Ambeng Solo Beef Rendang. Unfortunately, we were there 45 minutes before closing at 8 PM on a Sunday night, so the food was not warm enough and side dishes were not available. Serving portion was large. It is value for money as there is no service tax or GST. The food is a tad salty for my liking. There will be no return visit for me.
Shidiq Mohd
Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately struck by the lack of basic hospitality: no greeting, not even a simple smile. It set the tone for what would become a very unpleasant experience.
When it came time to order, the server's demeanor was noticeably unpleasant. I pointed to a specific dish and asked what type of meat it contained, as I have allergies. Without answering, he proceeded to place the dish on my plate. I asked him to stop, but he ignored me completely. Once the dish was on my plate, I repeated my question. His response was curt and angry. When I told him I did not want the dish, he raised his voice at me.
Stunned, I asked why he was scolding me for simply inquiring about the ingredients of a dish for health reasons. Instead of de-escalating, he continued raising his voice in front of other customers. I was shocked and embarrassed.
The manager eventually stepped in, but instead of addressing the issue professionally, he told me to relax and excused the server’s behavior, saying “that’s just how he speaks.” I explained that I was calm and that such conduct is unacceptable in any service setting, let alone a restaurant. Defending this kind of behavior only reflects poorly on the management itself.
Reading other reviews, it appears this kind of poor service is not a one-off incident but part of the culture here. That is a shame because the food is actually decent. Unfortunately, no amount of food quality is worth being disrespected or publicly humiliated. I will not be returning, and I would not recommend anyone subject themselves to the same experience.
Zulfa Bakri
Everything was good, except for the lady with glasses at the front. She served with an unwelcoming tone and tried to ignore us when we came. She also made a rude gesture with her hand when I made a mistake with an order. It was as if she was asking me to leave, even though I wanted to pay for it. Huuuhhhhhhh! I mean, just treat us the same as others. Please, this is a famous restaurant. 😮💨😮💨
Positive Reviews
John Lim
Good selection of Malay food. The taste is good, and there could be a long queue at lunchtime. I had Nasi Lemak, and it tasted great. The portion was average, but overall, it was just enough for lunch.
Cyril Pereira
Had dinner there with a friend at around 6 p.m. on a Thursday evening and was surprised to find the place quite empty. However, the food was delicious, and the Nasi Ambeng could feed at least three people. I particularly liked the chicken curry as it had an aromatic flavour and was very palatable. Definitely value for money, with drinks and dessert included. I would definitely visit this place again.
Kuan Yew Wong
Oh, I love this restaurant so much. All the food is delicious. Everything is tasty, from nasi lemak, nasi padang, mee siam, and all the Malay dishes on display. This is one of the best places for Malay food in Singapore. Even though I don't work nearby anymore, I still go back and recommend this place to friends. You must try!
Grant Ho
Here's the edited review:
Very much a basic restaurant/cafe – almost self-serve level (but they dish up your meal).
It was cheap enough and good enough for Western standards. The seating was comfortable, and the place was kept clean.
The staff were friendly and answered my queries. Their English was passable, especially considering my non-existent Malay/Mandarin! 😃
Poh Siew Lee
Love the Nasi Ambeng or Nasi Padang here. Both the curry chicken and beef rendang are exceptional, fragrant, juicy and tender. The rice set came with fried salted fish - another ⭐️ dish! The rice was cooked a little firmer, the way I like it. Freshly prepared teh and kopi are available, as well as other canned drink choices.
Angel Kam
I ordered nasi lemak and other veggies. I have a low spice tolerance, so it was a bit too spicy for me. But overall, the food is good. My only concern was that they were using food coloring for the nasi lemak.
Jin Xiong
My friend had the Beef Briyani set, and she said it's good. I only had the Bandung drink as I don't eat meat.
Hairul Johari
This is the place to go when you're craving spicy food. The spices are unique and very flavorful! It can get crowded during lunchtime. Prices are around $10, not including drinks. Drink options are listed in the photo. You'll need to return your plate to the designated area after finishing your meal. Highly recommended!
Gary Lam
I came when they were almost closing, but was still able to get a bite to eat. I liked the Briyani, which was flavorful and not too spicy.
Dai Jin
Went around 11:45 AM, and there was already a long queue. Waited for 10 minutes, and then it was my turn. The dishes are clearly labeled, so you know what you are ordering. They served 3 types of rice: white rice, biryani rice, and Nasi Lemak rice (bright green in color). Ordered the Biryani rice — very flavourful and delicious. Mutton curry was soft and tender. Curry chicken was hard and dry. Sambal Goreng tasted fantastic. The sambal chili was hot and spicy and blended well with the food. The price is reasonable, which is typical for Nasi Padang. Overall, it's decent.
