Singapore is a city with endless culinary traditions. From Michelin-starred hawker stalls to historic kopitiams dating back to the early 20th century, our little red dot is absolutely filled with the best of gastronomy. But did you know a modest eatery opened its doors opposite the magnificent Sultan Mosque in 1908? And today, it’s the oldest standing Indian-Muslin restaurant in Singapore. Zam Zam Restaurant has been feeding Singaporeans with the exact same legendary murtabak recipes for an astonishing 118 years.
Singapore Zam Zam is a name that is familiar to most locals. The old restaurant is recognised by its bright, bustling two-storey shophouse with its green-and-yellow facade, and irresistible aroma of spices wafting through the streets of Kampong Gelam.
Maybe you were lucky enough to have grown up eating their stuffed creations after a late night stroll or you are a regular for traditional Indian heritage food. Here’s the story of the oldest Indian-Muslim restaurant in Singapore.
Singapore’s oldest Indian-Muslim restaurant
Founded in 1908 by Haji Syed Shmad, who migrated from Kerala in India, the restaurant was named Zam Zam after the holy well in Mecca. Over a century later, it remains firmly rooted in the exact same spot on North Bridge Road. Interestingly, it survived two world wars, rapid modernization, and the ever-changing landscape of Singapore’s dining scene.
The 118-year-old restaurant offers a menu with an incredible selection of rich curries, Nasi Biryani, Bee Hoon Goreng, and perfectly pulled Teh Tarik. Although, the most glorious dish is the Murtabak which starts at a very cheap $7—and uses the exact same recipe today.
Zam Zam’s murtabak is a pan-fried, folded flatbread stuffed to the brim with spiced minced meat (mutton, beef, chicken, sardine, and more), onions, and egg. Crispy on the outside, rich and pillowy on the inside, and famously served with a bowl of their signature flavourful curry.
Wonderfully, the chefs still stretch, flip, and fold the dough at the front of the shop, putting on an intriguing culinary show that hasn’t changed in over a century.
A legendary corner of Kampong Gelam
The historic shophouse’s visitors include generations of local families, late-night clubbers seeking the ultimate comfort food, tourists fresh from visiting the area’s top attractions, and countless local celebrities who swear by their delicious curries and murtabak.
Impressively, Singapore Zam Zam has withstood the test of time, while many heritage restaurants had to close their doors or relocate into modern malls.
If you haven’t visited the iconic restaurant yet, be sure to grab a seat upstairs for tucking into huge mutton murtabak and iced Milo, while watching the world go by in Kampong Gelam.
📍697-699 N Bridge Rd, Singapore 198675
🚇 The nearest MRT station is Bugis
