A new halal Nasi Padang eatery is drawing curious food lovers to Singapore's quieter northern stretch, and social media is doing most of the talking. Pondok by June Zack brings a rare dedicated halal Nasi Padang option to Sembawang, an area where previously, residents had to travel toward Bugis, Kampong Glam or Geylang Serai for comparable choices. The eatery opened in early 2026 at 29 Sembawang Road, adjacent to Sembawang Shopping Centre, and has been building a loyal following through its Instagram updates and word-of-mouth among the Sembawang, Admiralty and Canberra residential belt.
Why It Matters
The north-side halal Nasi Padang market remains less saturated compared to central Singapore areas, making this opening notable for residents in the Sembawang, Admiralty, Canberra and Woodlands corridors. The closest dedicated nasi padang alternatives before Pondok were the Coba Coba restaurant at Yishun Street 11 (about a 15-minute drive away) and the Padang-style stalls at Geylang Serai Market (a 40-minute MRT ride away). Pondok by June Zack fills a genuine gap, and it does so with a format that works for both takeaway and catering.
What to Expect
Pondok by June Zack is a Muslim-owned eatery serving Nasi Padang, steamed rice with an array of pre-cooked dishes including beef rendang, sambal squid, fried chicken and vegetable sides. The format is the classic nasi padang counter, where you point at the dishes you want and the staff plates them over steamed rice. A standard plate with one protein and two sides typically runs SGD 6 to SGD 9, depending on the protein chosen, with beef rendang and sambal squid on the higher end and fried chicken and sayur lodeh on the lower end.
The spot also offers catering services, and daily offerings are shared transparently via the brand's social media. The catering platters come in sizes ranging from SGD 80 for a small gathering to SGD 250 for a larger event, and the menu rotates based on what is fresh that day. The catering side of the business has been the bigger driver of growth, with the Sembawang residential community ordering platters for weekend family gatherings and office events.
The Signature Dishes
The beef rendang is the order that built Pondok's reputation, slow-cooked for hours in coconut milk and spices until the meat is tender and the sauce has reduced to a thick, dark paste. The sambal squid is the second most ordered dish, with a sweet-savoury sambal that balances the brininess of the squid. The fried chicken is a more straightforward order, marinated overnight and fried to order so the skin stays crisp even when taken away. The vegetable sides rotate daily, with sayur lodeh (vegetables in coconut gravy), sambal kang kong and achar (pickled vegetables) as the regular options.
The Details
- Location: 29 Sembawang Road, Singapore 779081 (adjacent to Sembawang Shopping Centre)
- Nearest MRT: Sembawang MRT Station (North-South Line, 8-minute walk)
- Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm (closed on Monday)
- Halal status: Muslim-owned
- Price range: SGD 6 to SGD 9 per plate, SGD 80 to SGD 250 for catering platters
- Signature dishes: Beef rendang, sambal squid, fried chicken, sayur lodeh
- Social media: Daily menu updates on Instagram
For North-Side Residents
For north-side residents looking for a quality Nasi Padang lunch without the trip south, Pondok by June Zack is a welcome new fixture. The 9am opening makes it a viable breakfast stop for the Sembawang residential belt, and the 5pm closing time means it does not run into the dinner service, which keeps the counter turnover fast during the lunch peak. The catering side is also worth noting for residents planning family gatherings, the platters are pre-order only and require 48 hours' notice.
If you are planning a visit, come between 11am and 1pm for the freshest batch of dishes, as the counter is restocked throughout the lunch service. The beef rendang and sambal squid tend to sell out first, so if you want either, come before noon. The walk from Sembawang MRT takes about 8 minutes via Sembawang Road, and there is street parking available along the road in front of the eatery.
