Top 10 High-Cholesterol Malay Hawker Foods in Singapore

Malay cuisine in Singapore is renowned for its aromatic spices, rich gravies, and indulgent textures. It’s an essential part of the local hawker scene, offering hearty and flavourful dishes from morning breakfasts to late-night suppers. However, many Malay hawker dishes are high in saturated fats and cholesterol due to cooking methods like deep frying and the use of coconut milk, offal, and eggs.

This guide breaks down the top 10 high-cholesterol Malay hawker foods in Singapore, explains why they’re cholesterol-heavy, and suggests healthier alternatives or ways to enjoy them in moderation.

1. Nasi Lemak (with Fried Chicken and Egg)

Nasi Lemak is a national favourite, served with fragrant coconut rice, sambal, anchovies, peanuts, fried chicken, and a fried egg.

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• Coconut milk used in rice is high in saturated fat.

• Fried chicken and fried egg yolk add dietary cholesterol.

• Anchovies and peanuts are often deep-fried in reused oil.

Tip: Go for a boiled egg and grilled chicken to reduce fat intake.

2. Ayam Penyet (Smashed Fried Chicken)

This dish features marinated chicken that’s deep-fried and smashed for tenderness, served with sambal, fried tofu, tempeh, and rice.

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• The chicken is deep-fried with skin, soaking up oil.

• Sides like tofu and tempeh are also deep-fried.

• Sambal is often sautéed in oil or lard.

Tip: Request grilled or air-fried chicken, and go easy on the sambal.

3. Nasi Padang (with Rendang and Fried Paru)

Nasi Padang is a mix-and-match platter of rice with various dishes like beef rendang, curry chicken, sambal goreng, and paru (fried beef lung).

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• Rendang and curries use coconut milk and oil.

• Paru (beef lung) is deep-fried and organ meats are extremely high in cholesterol.

• Multiple oily dishes are often combined into one meal.

Tip: Choose two dishes max—preferably grilled meats and a vegetable.

4. Mee Rebus with Egg

A thick noodle dish in a sweet-spicy gravy made from sweet potatoes, fermented beans, and dried shrimp, often topped with a hard-boiled egg.

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• Egg yolk is rich in cholesterol.

• Gravy may contain shrimp paste and coconut oil.

• Topped with fried shallots and possibly fried tofu.

Tip: Opt for half an egg and ask for less gravy or fried garnish.

5. Mee Soto Ayam with Begedil

A spicy chicken noodle soup served with shredded chicken and optionally a begedil (deep-fried potato patty).

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• Chicken broth often contains chicken fat and skin.

• Begedil is deep-fried and sometimes contains minced beef or egg.

• Optional toppings include boiled eggs and fried shallots.

Tip: Skip the begedil or egg, and request a less oily broth.

6. Lontong with Sayur Lodeh and Egg

Lontong features compressed rice cakes in a coconut-based vegetable curry, often served with egg, sambal, and sometimes fried tempeh.

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• Sayur lodeh gravy is made with coconut milk, rich in saturated fats.

• Egg yolk adds dietary cholesterol.

• Optional sides like tempeh are deep-fried.

Tip: Request more vegetables, and go for a boiled egg if needed.

7. Soto Ayam with Rice Cakes

This chicken soup dish is often eaten for breakfast or lunch and includes rice cakes (ketupat), shredded chicken, and bean sprouts.

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• Chicken broth can be oily and fatty.

• Often garnished with fried shallots and sambal kicap.

• Served with optional begedil or egg, adding more fat.

Tip: Request leaner chicken cuts and avoid double-protein combos.

8. Roti John (with Egg and Minced Meat)

A hawker-style omelette sandwich made with minced beef or chicken, eggs, mayonnaise, and chilli sauce.

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• Eggs and minced meat are high in cholesterol.

• Often cooked in margarine or butter.

• Mayonnaise and sauces add saturated fats.

Tip: Share with a friend or ask for less sauce and a leaner filling.

9. Nasi Sambal Goreng (with Fried Tofu, Tempeh, and Lungs)

This dish usually contains rice, fried tempeh, tofu, sambal goreng, beef lungs (paru), and egg.

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• Multiple deep-fried items on one plate.

• Organ meats like paru are cholesterol-dense.

• Sambal often fried in reused oil.

Tip: Choose one fried item and replace the rest with vegetables or sayur lodeh.

10. Keropok Lekor (Fried Fish Sausage)

A chewy, savoury snack made from ground fish and flour, deep-fried until crisp and served with spicy sauce.

Why It’s High in Cholesterol:

• Deep-fried in large batches, often using reused oil.

• Contains fish skin and offcuts, which increase cholesterol values.

• Served with sugary, oily chilli sauce.

Tip: Enjoy in moderation or look for air-fried versions.

Cholesterol, the Hidden Culprit

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver and found in animal-based foods. While the body needs cholesterol to build cells and hormones, excessive intake of dietary cholesterol and saturated fats can raise LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Key Ingredients in Malay Hawker Food That Raise Cholesterol:

• Coconut milk (santan)

• Egg yolks

• Organ meats (e.g. liver, lungs)

• Deep-fried foods

• Processed or fatty meats

Summarised Table

Final Thoughts

Malay hawker food is an essential part of Singapore’s food culture—deeply flavourful, affordable, and comforting. However, many dishes are high in cholesterol due to the use of deep-frying, organ meats, coconut milk, and eggs. If you’re managing your heart health or simply want to eat more mindfully, you don’t have to give up your favourite Malay dishes entirely. Instead:

• Request grilled or steamed options where available.

• Ask for less oil, coconut milk, or gravy.

• Balance your meal with vegetables or side salads.

• Limit portion sizes and avoid ordering multiple cholesterol-heavy dishes in one meal.

Understanding what goes into your food empowers you to make healthier choices while still enjoying the vibrant flavours that define Malay hawker fare.