Aunty Lily Kitchen – Passionate Home-Style Indonesian Cooking in City Plaza

Our lunch today at Aunty Lily’s Kitchen on the 5th floor of City Plaza was an absolute delight. Hidden in the same area as Poon Nah Handmade Noodle, this little gem is where we met the incredible 64-year-old Aunty Lily. With her sleek, cropped hair and distinctive black-and-white speckled glasses, she’s hard to miss, and her personality shines as brightly as her appearance.

Aunty Lily’s journey into the F&B world is fascinating. She started by cooking for Indonesian students at a hostel she ran, gradually mastering the art of Indonesian cuisine. Her passion for cooking led her to invite chefs to her home for lessons and even travel across Indonesia to learn authentic recipes. This dedication has earned her a loyal following of Indonesians in Singapore who come to her stall for a taste of home.

Before launching her stall, Aunty Lily ran a home-based business during the pandemic, and just a year ago, she decided to expand her reach by opening a food stall in City Plaza.

Our meal began with Aunty Lily’s highly recommended beef rendang, a dish she lovingly cooks for over six hours daily. The beef was incredibly tender, practically melting in my mouth, with the spices perfectly balanced. Paired with the soft and fluffy nasi lemak rice, it was a true comfort dish.

Speaking of nasi lemak, Aunty Lily’s version is something special. She steams the blue pea rice with an abundance of pandan leaves, making it wonderfully fragrant. The house-made sambal is the perfect accompaniment to the coconut rice.

The chicken curry was the star of the meal for us. Simmered slowly to allow the flavors to deepen, the chicken was infused with an intense umami, and carried a delightful tang from the addition of assam water. The gravy was thick, rich, and so full of flavor that we could easily finish a whole bowl of rice with just the curry.

Aunty Lily’s culinary skills are also influenced by her Peranakan heritage. We couldn’t resist trying the chap chye, a comforting braised vegetable stew that paired perfectly with her mother’s sambal belachan—a recipe crafted by Aunty Lily’s 86-year-old mother. Her mother also makes an excellent achar which adds a tangy crunch to the meal.

We also sampled the delicious otah that’s filled with thick chunks of fish meat. And to end on a sweet note, we enjoyed Aunty Lily’s homemade kueh kosui and kueh salat—both a perfect conclusion to a fantastic meal.

My lunch at Aunty Lily’s Kitchen was nothing short of amazing, and I can’t wait to return. With such an array of delicious dishes, every bite was a testament to Aunty Lily’s passion and culinary prowess. I’m especially eager to try her nasi liwet, which she makes on certain days. Here’s hoping I’m lucky enough to catch it on my next visit!