The CBD area, despite being crowded and hectic during lunchtime, is well known for having a plethora of great eats ranging from the cheap to the exorbitant to feed the hungry office crowd.

Let’s face it, you’re strapped for time, money and the workday isn’t shaping up to be as great as you had hoped. You need a pick-me-up and one that’s quick tastes incredible and won’t take a toll on your wallet. That’s where Chunky Crabs comes in.

Newly-opened Chunky Crabs is the brainchild of the same folks who brought you Chunky Lobsters. The concept here is pretty much the same, with the only key difference being that Chunky Crabs serves, well, crabs. But don’t worry, you’ll be able to find their lobster rolls at both their outlets at The Cathay and Oxley Tower.

You would expect a crab roll made with such high-quality meat to be exorbitantly overpriced. However, you’d be surprised to know that Chunky Crabs sells pretty wallet-friendly crab rolls that are great for those of you who are craving for anything crab related but are on a budget.

All the rolls here are meticulously made with love and utmost precision. They use only the freshest ingredients so you can be assured that you’ll be getting the best quality crab rolls out there.

They pride themselves on using only the best and the freshest crabs that are sourced from the waters of the Western English Channel and they even go as far to hand-peel every single crab themselves.

Here at Chunky Crabs, they only serve three kinds of crab rolls at an affordable S$16 each: Chunky’s Butter, Chunky’s Chilli and Chunky’s Aioli. 

Each roll is generously stuffed to the brim with a copious amount of sweet, fleshy crab meat that is encased in a soft, evenly-toasted brioche bun. We can imagine how heavenly this combination alone tastes like; the sauces are just additional enhancements that serve to elevate the flavour of the crabs tender, sweet flesh even further.

Every serving of crab roll comes with a side of their crisp, golden brown Cassava Chips, which adds a nice crunch to the overall meal and a nice barbecue element as well. if you’re addicted to their chips (we know we are), you can order the à la carte version of it for just S$1.50.

CHUNKY’S AIOLI

If you’re hankering after something with a Mediterranean touch, Chunky’s Aioli is the crab roll for you. The roll is served cold and consists of crab that is garnished with mayo, chopped celery, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and a dash of zesty lemon juice for that extra tanginess.

Chunky’s Aioli had a more refreshing feel to it as compared to the other rolls as it was served cold, making it great for people who prefer something that is lighter on the palate.

CHUNKY’S BUTTER 

If you’d rather go for the real-deal taste of natural crab meat, then you should opt for Chunky’s Butter. Simple, as it literally comprises crab meat tossed in butter, this roll is the best choice to really get the purest flavour.

The crab meat in this roll is coated in a generous but not too overwhelming amount of melted butter that provides a rich, savoury touch that really complemented the sweet flavours of the crab meat.

CHUNKY’S CHILLI 

For all our chilli crab fans out there, you would be delighted to know that they have their own rendition of our favourite classic local dish.

Chunky’s Chilli features a soft, toasted roll that is adorned with a lavish amount of fleshy crab and drenched in a sinfully potent chilli sauce that is sweet, savoury and spicy all in one. It’s all right if you have a low tolerance for heat because the spiciness is really quite manageable and tends to lean more towards the sweeter side.

MAKE IT A SET 

Wash down your meal with a nice, cold drink. All you need to do is opt for Set A and top up an additional S$0.90 for a cup of your choice of drink.

If you’re feeling a little more peckish, you can have Set B instead and top up S$3.90 to get both a drink as well as a bowl of their thick, hearty crab bisque. We recommend dunking your crab rolls into the soup. You won’t regret it, we promise.

LOBSTER ROLLS 

We also sampled some of their famous lobster rolls that will be available at their sister brand, Chunky Lobsters, which is located at The Cathay and Oxley Tower.

At Chunky Lobsters, they will be serving their three signature flavours of lobster rolls at also an affordable S$16 each: Chunky’s Original, Chunky’s Connecticut and Chunky’s Cheezy. Don’t forget their lobster bisque, too.

DRINKS GALORE 

There is just something oh-so-satisfying about pairing a scrumptious crab roll with an icy cool bottle of beer. Chunky Crabs knows what’s up, so they have an array of beers for you to choose from for you to complete your meal.

Beer lovers will also rejoice over how cheap each bottle is—only S$6! That’s even more reason to crack open a cold one while you savour your crab roll, even if it’s in the middle of the day.

Some of the beer varieties available are the light and refreshing Estrella, the fruity Magners Apple Cider as well as refreshing Bavaria.

All-in-all, Chunky Crabs has won our hearts and we know that both crab aficionados and foodies alike will enjoy the affordable, chunky yet funky crab rolls here. So the next time you’re craving anything crab-related, you should definitely give Chunky Crabs a try.

Chunky Crabs
51 Telok Ayer Street
#01-06A, China Square
Singapore 048441
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer & Raffles Place

This post is brought to you by Chunky Crabs

Filled with chunks of tender sweet lobster meat and coated with a blend of mouthwatering sauces such as mayonnaise in between a soft, top-split brioche bread, there is nothing not to love about lobster rolls. If you are on a hunt for the best lobster rolls in Singapore, you would know that the good ones come with heavy price tags that are not for all to digest.

Chunky Lobsters is a new lobster roll restaurant that has opened its doors at Oxley Tower that aims to make seafood affordable for the mass market. Think lobster rolls served in three ways (Chunky’s Original, Chunky’s Connecticut and Chunky’s Cheezy) —all priced at only S$16 nett per roll!

CHUNKY LOBSTERS CONCEPT

Chunky Lobsters is more of a takeaway counter than an actual dining restaurant as seats are pretty limited and would probably be filled during peak hours, especially when the lunch crowd starts filing in on weekdays.

Instead of dicing the lobster meat up into smaller pieces, which is typically what they do for lobster rolls, the entire hunk of lobster flesh is placed in between hot buttered brioche buns, confirming that what you’re getting is real-deal lobster meat—in addition to the pleasant chew.

CHUNKY’S ORIGINAL

We particularly liked how the grilled buns complemented the creamy mayo, zesty lemon juice and their own homemade herbs and spices sauce—which happens to be Chunky Lobster’s closely-guarded secret.

For those who prefer something simple, Chunky’s Original (S$16) allows you to savour the natural sweetness of the lobsters as the condiments are not overwhelming.

CHUNKY’S CHEEZY

This one is for the cheese lovers. Imagine the same fleshy lobster meat but this time round layered with different types of melted cheeses that flow right through the buttery buns.

Chunky’s Cheezy (S$16) leaves your fingers slippery with aromatic butter and one bite into the lobster roll will have the gooey folds of cheese oozing out at once. We highly recommend having this decadent roll with their Lobster Bisque (S$3.90) for the complete experience.

Chunky Lobsters
138 Robinson Road
#02-03 Oxley Tower
Singapore 068906
Tel: +65 9007 6467
Mon to Fri: 11am – 7.30pm
Sat: 11am – 3.30pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Downtown

Senate Coffee is a one-month-old cosy dining establishment in Great Eastern Centre that specialises in artisanal coffees and nutritious grain bowls. The cafe is actually by the same people behind The Populus Coffee & Food Co. and now-defunct Department of Caffeine.

Treat yourselves to Senate Coffee’s artisanal teas (from S$4), healthy grain bowls (from S$15), handcrafted coffee (from S$3.50) and premium valrhona chocolate (from S$5).

Open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, Senate Coffee is a popular destination amongst the nearby corporate workers for a filling yet healthy lunch.

The holistic menu currently features seven prefixed Senate Bowls and what you can expect is a splendid variety of meat toppings such as pulled pork, roast chicken, grass-fed beef, roasted salmon and lamb shoulder.

The Roasted Salmon and Soba Senate Bowl (S$16) comprises generous amounts of soba noodle salad, a fresh teriyaki roasted salmon fillet, marinated mixed mushrooms, baby spinach, dill cucumbers, edamame beans and fresh herbs.

You would be so stuffed by the time you finish everything in this bowl.

The fun part lies in being able to customise your own grain bowls (from S$15.50).

Crafting your personalised bowl is very easy – all you have to do is choose a base (three-gain mix, soba noodle salad, brown rice salad or super greens), select your preferred protein and a choice of four ingredients.

Coffee is serious business here. The espresso blends used here for Senate Coffee’s caffeinated espresso-based beverages are roasted by Two Degrees North Coffee Co. Patrons can look forward to a full bodied cuppa with lingering chocolatey notes.

Senate Coffee
1 Pickering Street
Five Square
Great Eastern Centre
Singapore 048659
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 9.30am – 2.30pm
Tel: +65 6222 7632
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

‘Lunch hour’ might just be every executive’s favourite thing to hear – after ‘knock off’, of course!

But as much as you are excited to get out of the office for a breather, we all know that the lunchtime crowd in Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD) can be a nightmare. Cafes, hawker centres and restaurants alike are jam-packed with throngs of executives.

Most of you have probably given up on the idea of a peaceful lunch. But having a quiet meal in the CBD is actually possible if you do takeaways and/or bring your own lunch box and do a therapeutic private lunch away from the crowds. Yes, we have some of the best spots rounded up in this post and we are ready to share.

From Ann Siang Hill Park, Telok Ayer Green to The Promontory, here are 7 Best Locations For A Take-Out Lunch in Singapore’s CBD That You Probably Did Not Know About.

#1 ANN SIANG HILL PARK

Ann Siang Hill Park can be accessed from Ann Siang Hill and Ann Siang Road itself. The tranquil park offers an alternative view of the surrounding restored shophouses while enjoying your lunch quietly. Plenty of seats are available too. Note that smoking is strictly prohibited here.

#2 HONG LIM PARK

Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park is interestingly the only venue in Singapore where “public demonstrations” are allowed (only after you have obtained a police permit). The heritage park is dotted with benches, and it is big enough for everyone to have their own space.

Trash bins are aplenty , so remember to bin your lunch boxes and help to upkeep the cleanliness of this place, as an act of consideration towards other lunch-goers who enjoy coming here for a quick lunch break too. If a trash bin is full, don’t just put your litter on top of or beside it – that’s still littering! Bin it at the next available bin which is just a few steps away.

#3 SINGAPORE RIVER

This spot right outside UOB Plaza is a popular one and is no hidden secret by now. A peaceful lunch there whilst enjoying scenic views of the river is a much needed break from all the stress at work.

Ever wondered what Kit Chan was referring to when she sang “river which brings us life” in everyone’s favourite national song ‘Home’? This is it – our Singapore River. While enjoying the river sights at lunch, let’s also remember to do our part and refrain from littering, to preserve the beauty and cleanliness of the place for future generations to come. We would want our children and grandchildren to truly understand what ‘Home’ means when they sing it in years to come. A clean and green Singapore, we will always be.

#4 TELOK AYER GREEN

Located at the corner of Boon Tat Street and Amoy Street is Telok Ayer Green, a little park with rich historical backgrounds of Singapore’s early settlements. To our surprise, most of these public benches are mostly empty during peak hours! Consider this spot for some me-time over takeaway lunches.

#5 TELOK AYER PARK

Situated just across the iconic Red Dot Museum is Telok Ayer Park, a public space bounded by Cecil Street Maxwell Road and Telok Ayer Street. The mini park’s looming shady trees provide you a temporary respite from the unbearable heat. Grab a friend and dine on the wooden benches or swing seats.

After you are done with your sumptuous lunch, don’t just leave your litter behind. Remember to dispose of them into the litter bins available. Just like how we like to be welcomed by a clean park, we would want to keep it the same way for the next user.

#6 THE LAWN

The Lawn, located just above Marina Bay Link Mall, is an ultra spacious field sandwiched between the towering skyscrapers of Marina Bay Sands. Gather your colleagues and have a picnic on the field or chill out by the benches.

This is one spot in the Marina area that is ideal for a momentary escape from work. Its spaciousness and abundance of surrounding greenery is akin to an oasis within the concrete jungle. A city respite, we’d like to call it; one that we can escape to every day during lunch hour.

#7 THE PROMONTORY

Cross the road from The Lawn and you will find yourself at The Promontory. The beautiful area boasts spectacular views of the world-famous Marina Bay Sands and Art Science Museum. It might be deemed as a touristy spot, but we do think it makes a great location for a take-out lunch.

With the cool breeze blowing while you eat, it is not uncommon that a piece of serviette or an empty paper bag may get blown onto the ground. Let’s not turn a blind eye to these ‘flyaway’ litter and remember to pick them up and trash them. After all, think of how tourists come here often, and that we would want to present the best and cleanest side of Singapore to them.

This post was brought to you by National Environment Agency (NEA).