SINGAPORE — After nearly eight decades serving up beloved Indonesian fare, Warong Nasi Pariaman, a Singapore institution, will close its doors on January 31. The news has sparked a wave of nostalgia among longtime customers.
A Singapore Food Staple Says Goodbye
The 78-year-old eatery, famed for its rendang and grilled fish, announced its closure on Instagram on January 20, leaving many wondering what will fill the void.
- Warong Nasi Pariaman has been operating since 1948 and is considered by many to be the oldest surviving nasi padang stall in Singapore.
- The restaurant is known for its West Sumatran Indonesian dishes, including beef rendang, ikan bakar, sotong kalio, and ayam gulai.
- The eatery announced its closure via an Instagram post on January 20, with its last day of business being January 31.
- Customers have been sharing fond memories of the restaurant on social media, lamenting its impending closure.
- The reason for the closure has not been publicly disclosed.
What exactly *is* nasi padang? It’s a style of Indonesian cuisine where diners are presented with a wide array of dishes—from richly spiced meats to flavorful vegetables—served with white rice. Warong Nasi Pariaman specialized in dishes originating from the coastal city of West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Generations of Flavor
Located at 738 North Bridge Road, near the Sultan Mosque, Warong Nasi Pariaman has been a family-run business passed down through generations. The restaurant earned recognition as a recipient of the Heritage Heroes Awards in 2016, celebrating its commitment to preserving local culinary traditions.
The announcement of the closure prompted an outpouring of memories on social media. One Instagram user, @_norismilda_, reminisced about childhood visits with her father after Friday prayers, saying, “Best childhood memories… when dad went to Friday prayers and brought Pariaman back. The taste still lingers in my thoughts. Will come visit soon!” Another user, @adzari, expressed sadness, noting it was “a must stopover every time we’re in Singapore,” and fondly remembered the “friendly kakaks (sisters) who are always at hand to greet and take our order.” Facebook user Wini Hasby Taufiq shared that she had been eating at Pariaman “since I was born. Now it’s my kids’ favourite food.”
The eatery simply stated in its Instagram post, “Thank you for your support, love and sweet memories with us all this time.” The reason for the closure remains undisclosed. Local media outlets have reached out to Warong Nasi Pariaman for further information.
Will this be a final farewell, or could the flavors of Pariaman live on in a new form? Only time will tell.
