To put it simply, the direct Hokkien translation of ‘zi char’ is “cook and fry” and zi char stalls in Singapore offer a wide range of dishes that are much like home-cooked meals.
Zi char is a perennial favourite dining style when we plan big gatherings. The idea of sharing plates of Chinese food in a boisterous setting is really quintessentially Singapore! It is relatively simple and cheap as opposed to a posh restaurant and the loud chatter and bursts of laughter over the eating make up the ambience.
We’ve gathered a list of the more popular spots for zi char in the far West of Singapore. Here are 9 zi char eateries in Jurong to take your gatherings to.
Photo Credit: teosheewee
BIG EATER SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Gather around the crabs at Big Eater Seafood Restaurant and you’ll do good to choose between salted egg yolk and black pepper. Otherwise, opt for the easy way out and order both. Get their KL Hokkien Mee for sharing too along with a Crispy Fried Tofu.
964 Jurong West Street 91, #01-342
Singapore 640964
Tel: +65 6397 0480
Daily: 4pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Pioneer
Photo Credit: noobwifethecook
HONG GUAN COOKED FOOD
Hong Guan Cooked Food opened its first stall in 1986 and has been serving zi char with a signature Claypot Assam Curry Fish Head for three decades since. Though sweet and sour meat is usually prepped with pork, Hong Guan uses chicken thigh meat. Order it with their Sambal Sweet Potato Leaves.
3 Yung Sheng Road, #03-139/140
Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre
Singapore 618499
Tel: +65 6265 8860
Tue to Sat: 11am – 2am, 4:30pm – 9pm
(Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Nearest Station: Lakeside
Photo Credit: Kelvin Tham
HUALONG FISHHEAD STEAMBOAT
Hualong Fishhead Steamboat was, for a long time, deeply rooted in Ang Moh Kio before they expanded out with their ever popular Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat as their reigning dish. The newest outlet was only just launched in late March in Jurong East but it’s unique because its dishes are a combo of zi char and mala (spicy numbing stir-fry).
Blk 526 Jurong West St 52
Zhen Wei Coffee Shop
Singapore 640526
Nearest Station: Lakeside
Photo Credit: jt6263
KAI XIANG SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Head to Kai Xiang Seafood Restaurant with a group of four and more to gather around their Fish Steamboat. Their signature Fried Eggs With Oysters is an absolute must. Though it’s pricier than the average, it impresses with generous portions of plump and briny oysters over crisp eggs that are fried without starch.
349 Jurong East Ave 1
Singapore 600349
Tel: +65 6563 7798
Daily: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Chinese Garden
Photo Credit: starstuddedx
LEGACY SEAFOOD
Legacy Seafood might sound more familiar if you knew it was previously called Uncle Leong Seafood. Despite the name change, their recommendations remain the same with Chilli Crab or Shimmering Sand Crab Delight as their top crustacean dishes and Guinness Pork Ribs as their must-have main.
10 Science Centre Rd, #01-23
Singapore 609079
Tel: +65 6897 2881
Daily: 11am – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East
Photo Credit: wild_biao_catch
QI LIN XUAN KITCHEN
The signatures at Qi Lin Xuan Kitchen are their Teo Chew Style Steamed Red Groupa, Curry Fish Head, Ginger Onion Deer Meat, and for greens, H.K. Kai Lan with Silver Fish. For crustaceans, their popular crabs are Chilli Crab and Salted Egg Yolk Crab. Qi Lin Xuan has a number of outlets so besides Jurong West, you can find another branch near Jurong East MRT Station.
442 Jurong West Ave 1, #01-758
Singapore 640442
Tel: +65 6569 2540
Daily: 3pm – 11:30pm
Nearest Station: Lakeside
Photo Credit: ahungrywes
SINGFOOD STALL
Help yourselves to halal zi char dishes at SingFood Stall when you take your group gatherings to Jurong. Besides Curry Fish Head, try their creamy Cheese Prawn Bee Hoon that comes in a claypot. Their Hot Plate Chilli Snapper that’s not too spicy and has a sweet aftertaste.
504 Jurong West Street 51
Singapore 640504
Tel: +65 9815 2768
Daily: 12pm – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Lakeside
Photo Credit: winnie_photography_
SUM KEE FOOD
Opposite Superbowl Jurong is where the second outlet of Sum Kee Food sits. You might find fish eggs in their signature Curry Fish Head that is meaty with smooth and tender flesh. Order their Ultraman Chicken which is popcorn chicken coated in salted egg yolk sauce.
19 Yung Ho Rd
Singapore 618592
Tel: +65 6873 3069
Daily: 11am – 2:30pm, 5pm – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Lakeside
Photo Credit: michelin guide
For a hugely popular spot amongst West-siders that also received a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award in 2017, Zai Shun Curry Fish Head is the spot for steamed fish and Teochew porridge. You’ll want to bring your family down early for Zai Shun closes by the early afternoon and you don’t want to miss them just because you couldn’t beat the lunch crowd.
253 Jurong East Street 24, #01-205
Singapore 600253
Tel: +65 6560 8594
Thu to Tue: 7am – 3pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)
Nearest Station: Jurong East