There are some restaurants you visit because they are famous, and then there are places you keep returning to simply because the food makes you happy. For me, Hjh Maimunah at Compass One belongs firmly in the second category.
If you ask me where I like to go for Malay food around Sengkang, this is one of my favourite places. The combination of fragrant curries, rich sambal, tender meat and comforting nasi padang flavours is almost impossible for me to resist.
The only problem? I always tell myself, “Just take a few dishes.”
Hjh Maimunah at Compass One: A Malay Food Favourite
Hjh Maimunah Mini is located inside the Kopitiam on Level 4 of Compass One, making it an especially convenient spot for anyone looking for halal Malay and Indonesian food in Sengkang.
The outlet serves a wide selection of traditional dishes, from nasi padang-style meat and vegetables to curries, sambal and other comforting Malay favourites. The brand describes its food as being based on recipes passed down through generations.
And honestly, this is the kind of food where you don't need a fancy dining room.
You just need a plate of rice, a few dishes, plenty of gravy and sambal.
The Curry and Sambal Are Seriously Appetizing
Let's talk about the thing that keeps pulling me back: the flavours.
Yes, I know.
There is curry. There is sambal. There is plenty of rich, fragrant gravy.
It is probably not the meal I should be eating if I am trying to behave myself, but Malay food is one of those things where the appetite simply takes over.
The curry is rich and aromatic, and when that gravy mixes with the rice, every mouthful becomes incredibly satisfying. The sambal is another highlight for me. It has that spicy, savoury kick that makes you want just one more spoonful of rice.
And then another.
And then somehow another dish appears on the table.
Other diners have also commented on the fragrant gravies and sambal, with reviews describing the food as spicy, flavourful and satisfying. Some have specifically mentioned the beef rendang for its tender texture and the sambal for its extra kick.
Tender Meat That Falls Apart Easily
The meat dishes are another reason I find it difficult to stop at just one or two dishes.
The meat is tender and packed with flavour, especially when it has been cooked together with the rich spices and gravy. This is not the kind of meat where you spend half your meal fighting with it.
Instead, you get that lovely soft texture where the meat practically falls apart as you eat it.
Pair it with steamed rice, spoon over some curry and add a little sambal.
That's my idea of comfort food.
I Always Order More Than Three Dishes
This is probably the most dangerous part of visiting Hjh Maimunah.
You walk up to the counter thinking you will choose two or three dishes.
Then you see another dish.
Then another.
Then something smells amazing.
Before you know it, your plate is carrying enough food for a small celebration.
I honestly cannot seem to stop myself from ordering more than three dishes here. And the funniest part is that I usually finish everything.
Not “mostly finish”.
Not “leave a little for later”.
I mean the kind of finish where you look at the empty plate and realise you have basically given it a full cleaning.
Plate-licking good.
Of course, your mileage may vary — especially if you are dining with children or sharing several dishes. But if you love Malay food, the variety makes it very tempting to try several flavours in one meal.
Expect a Queue During Dinner
One thing to know before visiting: Hjh Maimunah at Compass One can get very busy, particularly around dinner and peak meal periods.
Recent customer reviews also mention queues during peak hours, with one reviewer noting that the queue can start forming around 5:40pm.
So if you are coming with a hungry family and everyone is already complaining about being hungry, you might want to arrive earlier.
Otherwise, be prepared to wait.
For me, the queue is part of the experience. When you see people patiently waiting for their turn to choose their dishes, it is usually a pretty good sign that the food is popular with the neighbourhood.
A Convenient Halal Food Stop in Sengkang
Another big advantage is the location.
Hjh Maimunah is at Compass One, directly connected to Sengkang MRT and the bus interchange. That makes it an easy choice whether you're shopping at the mall, meeting friends in Sengkang or simply looking for halal Malay food nearby.
The outlet is located at:
Hjh Maimunah Mini
Kopitiam @ Compass One, Level 4, #04-11
1 Sengkang Square
Singapore 545078
The official Hjh Maimunah website currently lists the Compass One outlet as open daily from 10am to 9pm.
My Verdict: Comfort Food I Keep Craving
Hjh Maimunah Compass One is the kind of place I can visit repeatedly without getting bored.
For me, it is the combination of tender meat, fragrant curry, addictive sambal and the huge variety of Malay dishes that makes it so difficult to resist.
Yes, I know I probably shouldn't be eating so much curry and sambal every time.
But when the food tastes this appetizing, my self-control disappears somewhere between the second and third dish.
If you love Malay food, nasi padang, rich curries and sambal, Hjh Maimunah at Compass One is definitely a place worth putting on your Sengkang food list.
Just remember one thing:
Don't go there hungry and expect yourself to order only one dish.
I have already tried that strategy.
It doesn't work.
