Salmaan Food Paradise — Restaurant in Jurong East

Used to dine here quite often, about 6-7 years back. We usually have our dinner here, or do the occasional takeaway. There were a few turn-offs that made us rather choose other dining options. Until recently, we decided to give them a try again as we didn't have much time for a meal. Their prices are unreasonably high, the taste & appearance of their food differs every visit (inconsistent), their utensils are not the cleanest, and the indoor seats & tables have this ''oily'' feeling that makes you uncomfortable when you sit there. Though this has changed, fast forward to 2024/2025, they have upgraded their seats, so it's not as bad anymore. However the inconsistency of their food remains, and the unreasonable prices continue to exist. We had our dinner there recently (Feb 2025), and their maggie goreng with chicken costs $6, I was shocked when I found out about the price. I mean I'm aware of inflation and all that stuff, but to be very honest $6 sounds a little absurd. Furthermore, this area is pretty secluded, as compared to e.g. other similar stores that are near shopping malls, etc, and given the location, shouldn't the price be more affordable? I believe only the residents here as well as maybe people working at the polyclinic nearby are aware of this store. When we dined here often many years back, we used to order an item that was not on the menu, and they simply charged us at an unreasonable price, the cooking was again, inconsistent. Another thing that I would like to add on, is that the owner of the store, when we were settling the bill, actually said to our faces that it's been a long time since we last dined here, and that we usually go to the other store in that area. Not knowing what to reply, we simply brushed it off. Their pratas used to be so bad, they had many burnt parts, but this previous visit it was actually not like that anymore. The inconsistency is still there, as one of the weekdays we went there for dinner, and we ordered the maggie goreng with chicken, was actually not bad (though it made us thirsty lol, so probably MSG or something like that) and the very next day we went there for lunch, but guess what, the noodles were wetter this time round. It tasted different from the one we had the evening before. Please, do something about the hygiene levels at this place, as in this latest visit, I have literally seen with my own eyes, this uncle who only finished half of his plate of food, and he slowly pushed the leftovers on the plate to the other end of the table, just so the mynahs that were hanging around could eat it. One mynah walked over towards the plate, and was looking at the uncle while approaching it, and proceeded to grab a mouthful of food, before skipping away. There seems to be bird waste on the table as well. Flocks of pigeons can be seen hanging around the entrance of the store at any time of the day, and sometimes they even enter the store while there are customers...

Salmaan Food Paradise, is a sole proprietorship made up of a food and drink stall, and nothing much else. It is located in the middle of a row of shops, on the ground floor of Block 338, Jurong East Avenue 1.

This 4-storey HDB apartment block sits some 80 metres back from the main road, a couple of blocks from the Jurong Polyclinic. A small carpark that can accommodate about 20 small-capacity vehicles spreads between 337 and 338. An incline makes 338 accessible to the wheelchair-bound. However, a short step is necessary to get into the Food Paradise proper.

Except for the prestigious moniker, Salmaan's is, in a general sense, a coffee shop. Nevertheless, it has managed to attract a small niche of customers from the nearby Jurong Polyclinic, and surrounding neighbourhoods, who would need to commute to get there.

Salmaan's specialises in Indian cuisine. For breakfast, it offers the locally popular Roti Prata, the plain and egg versions. It also stocks some Malay kuehs, such as the epok-epok, kueh lapis, gendang kasturi, and karipap, presumably supplied by private entrepreneurs.

Lunch is the standard fare of Nasi Briyani, with the common but complete choice of condiments. Beef and chicken are the basic compliments, prepared in hot, spicy paste, that goes well with the cooler taste buds.

Salmaan's also has a spread of dishes for those who prefer white rice instead of the Basmati. Mutton, chicken, fish, and seafood, such as, prawns and squids, come in fried and gravy-drowned options. Vegetables, such as boiled okra, egg-plants, spinach, and cabbage, that look somewhat similar to some Malay fares, are also generally immersed in varieties of soup and gravy, that are rich in coconut milk, curry, and a mix of choice spices, turning simple ingredients into creamy and yummy meals that are sure to linger on the senses, post-lunch.

While the food may be described as 'amazing', for such a small establishment, the beverages are, on the whole, common and unimpressive. Local hot delights - the ubiquitous tea and coffee, both plain and with milk added versions - are the most popularly asked for drinks, other than the canned sodas. Those looking for unique concoctions will do better elsewhere.

Although the foods served are categorically exceptional, customers remain loyal mainly due to the friendly service and humble prices. While most coffee shops have adopted the self-service practice, Salmaan's still waits and delivers. It also allows bills to be paid at the end of meals, instead of the pay-and-eat style most others are adopting.

In short, Salmaan Food Paradise offers convenience, variety and respect, that customers fancy...

Salmaan isn’t one of those places people would Google to deliberate to but it sure deserves that recognition for what it’s worth. Let me explain.

It’s a full fledge Indian eatery with its menu plastered all over the wall amidst religious artifacts. The beauty of this place is its simplicity in serving great food, sparing the form factor and going all for function. Don’t expect mall restaurant presentation but anticipate home cooked food standards that beats the current mad inflation price. You’d make your money worth here.

This joint is really a place one chances upon if you happen to stroll by this part of heartlander paradise. There is no air conditioning which suits its offering perfectly well, emitting the fragrance of its fried (and tasty) poultry and aqua delicacies.

I don’t know any delicious food within 1km radius. But if you happen to be around here, drop by. It would be...