Hajah Maimunah (Joo Chiat)

There are 2 outlets. The one in Joo Chiat and the other in Arab Street, off Jln Pisang Rd. I've tried both outlets. The one in Joo Chiat is much more bigger than the latter. However, both outlets offer the same wide range of dishes and both outlets are equally as popular and crowded. My advice is, go here for lunch when the food are just prepared. You do not want to head here for dinner. Food would be cold and you're left with leftovers. Most of the good stuff are already gone by then.

My family and I have been regular patrons for a few years now. We adore the food and have made it a monthly event to dine here. Hajjah Maimonah has a huge range of Malay/Javanese dishes. The restaurant is self-service. The dishes would be displayed behind a glass counter and the server would attend to you. You'd definitely be spoiled for choice. CAUTION! You would always tend to get more than you hope for.

Typical Malay/Javanese food are rich in coconut milk! Definitely not healthy unlike Chinese food, which is why it's not advisable to eat her frequently(although you'll tend to get cravings for it). The few dishes I like are the Tahu Telor, Sipot Sedot masak Lemak, Rendang Daging, Urap-Urap and the Sayur Ulam. These are the ultimate main dishes that you have to order whenever you visit Hajah MaiMonah. Order these and you'll be in heaven and a few kgs heavier as well! It's that good.

The Tahu Telor is basically eggs and fermented soya bean cakes(Tofu) deep fried. It looks like a tower of yellow cake. They then pour in the sweet and thick soy sauce. I think it's soy sauce,im not sure really but it's really good.
The Sipot Sedut is actually small sea snails in rich coconut curry gravy. Yum Yum!
Rendang Daging is actually beef cooked in a spicy thick coconut gravy. Heavenly.
Urap-Urap and Sayur Ulam are actually the salads. Urap-Urap is actually frsh beansprouts and other veges tossed together with coconut flavoured flakes(Serunding). Sayur Ulam is basically just veges (Long Beans or whatever is available) with Sambal Belachan (spicy Chillis pounded with fermented shrimps(belachan) and a lil bit of lime juice). Heavenly.

The desserts, they have the traditional Malay kuihs. I love their kuih keria. One look at it and you'll think it's a donut but it's actually sweet potato deep fried and sprinkled with sugar. Yummy!

Prices are very reasonable as well. When dining here, it's better to dine in a big group. I can't think of any downside about the restaurant though. Nothing I'm not happy with. Definitely dine in Hajah Maimonah!

I've been visiting this eatery for quite some time. It serves various dishes of decent malay food. They offer overwhelming choices - from ayam bakar, sayur lodeh, ikan asin, omellette, sambal goreng, dendeng, perkedel kentang, rempeyek, daun singkong, etc that go very well with steamed rice - to individual dishes like gado-gado and beefball noodle.

And remember to leave some space for dessert. There are various mouthwatering malay/Indonesian kuih.. from lemper, klepon, pisang goreng, cempedak goreng, risoles (I can't find any other eateris selling risoles!), pisang nangka, samosa, to kolak and pulut hitam.

Satisfying food, good value for money.