Ali Nachia Eating House

Nestled at 9 Hoe Chiang Road in Singapore's CBD, Ali Nachia Eating House carries a legacy that stretches back to the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. Started in 2002 by Mr. Ali's father, Mohammed Ali Latif, this halal coffeeshop relocated to Tanjong Pagar Plaza in 2011 when the railway station closed, before settling at its current location. Now helmed by the 69-year-old patriarch who previously worked as a butcher and football coach, and father to ex-national footballer Rafi Ali, the establishment represents family heritage in action.

The highlight is Ali Nachia Briyani Dam, a stall specialising exclusively in authentic dum biryani prepared using traditional methods. The menu is deliberately simple: chicken biryani at , mutton at , and fish biryani available only on Fridays for . What makes their preparation special is the dum method, where meat cooks with basmati rice in a sealed pot, resulting in grains that absorb maximum flavour while staying less oily than typical biryani. This technique, which Mohammed Ali learned while working as a wedding caterer in the 1970s, produces biryani that satisfies without inducing the dreaded food coma.

Beyond biryani, the coffeeshop houses stalls selling nasi padang, Malay kueh, and teh tarik, creating a lively atmosphere that contrasts nicely with the corporate surroundings. Operating Monday to Saturday from 8am to 4pm, Ali Nachia serves the CBD's working population seeking authentic halal fare amid the office towers and business hotels.