Singapore Airlines Ex-Attendant Builds First Michelin Rated Nasi Lemak in the World

SINGAPORE— A former Singapore Airlines (SQ) flight attendant has turned his passion for food into a thriving business, with his Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang chain now spanning 31 outlets across Singapore (SIN) and earning a place in the prestigious Michelin Guide.

What began in 2017 as a single hawker stall in Yishun Park Hawker Centre (YIS) has grown into a culinary success story, driven by determination, family recipes, and a distinct twist on traditional Malay fare, Business Insider flagged.

Representative Photo- VisitSingapore

Singapore Airlines Attendant Builds Michelin-Rated Outlets

Mohammed Noorman Bin Mubarak Ahmad, now 46, started his career working as a flight attendant for Singapore Airlines (SQ) from 2004 to 2011.

Despite the glamour of traveling to destinations across Europe and South Africa, he felt increasingly unfulfilled in the role.

Serving meals and drinks on flights did not satisfy his deeper ambitions, particularly given his background in business management and early exposure to his father’s hawker stall.

After leaving the airline, Noorman took up a managerial role in an oil and gas company in Singapore (SIN), yet the desire to build something of his own persisted. The turning point came in 2017 when the Yishun Park Hawker Centre opened near his home.

Noorman, alongside a friend, invested SGD 20,000 each to establish a food stall. He also integrated his wife’s Indonesian heritage into the menu, creating Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang — a fusion of the classic nasi lemak with the spicy Indonesian ayam taliwang chicken.

For several years, Noorman juggled the stall with his day job, often working 18-hour days to manage both commitments. Early profits were modest, and the COVID-19 pandemic further challenged the business.

Yet persistence paid off when, in 2021, the stall was listed in the Michelin Guide, leading to a surge in popularity and expansion.

Representative Photo: Singapore Changi

Scaling Up: The Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang Phenomenon

Today, Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang operates 31 outlets across Singapore, including a flagship presence in the upscale Marina Bay Sands (SIN) mall food court. Each stall reports daily sales ranging from SGD 800 to SGD 4,000.

The chain’s signature dish features fragrant pandan-flavored rice, tender grilled chicken generously coated in sambal (a sweet and spicy chili paste), a jammy egg, roasted peanuts, anchovies, and cucumber slices. This unique combination delivers a balance of spicy, savory, and sweet flavors that have resonated with locals and tourists alike.

Noorman’s recipe innovation and consistent food quality have built a loyal customer base. One regular customer, Jay Sim — a 21-year-old TikTok streamer — praised the consistently crispy chicken and aromatic rice, affirming the stall as one of Singapore’s best nasi lemak offerings.

Photo: Robin HARDY

A Legacy Beyond the Kitchen

With a workforce of about 100 employees managing the 31 outlets, Noorman has stepped back from daily kitchen duties. He hasn’t picked up a ladle in six months, instead focusing on business growth, personal pursuits like golf, and family time.

Despite stepping away from the stove, Noorman remains committed to preserving his family’s hawker legacy. He emphasizes the importance of creating a sustainable business that his children can inherit, ensuring that the hard work invested over the years is not lost.

His journey from the skies with Singapore Airlines (SQ) to the kitchens of Singapore’s hawker centers exemplifies entrepreneurial resilience, cultural fusion, and the enduring appeal of authentic food crafted with heart.

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