Carrot cakes and char kway teow are a dime a dozen in hawker centres. But, hidden from the spotlight are a few hawker foods that are slowly losing recognition among Singaporeans today.

Some of these hawker foods used to be thriving in our grandparents’ or parents’ generation but have gradually become endangered as more stalls give up passing on their legacies. But, we’re not going to just let them pass us by.

From rare Teochew kuehs to traditional Malay pancakes, we’ve dug up 8 vanishing hawker foods in Singapore you have to try before they’re gone forever and where to find them. Get a taste of your grandparents’ favourite dessert or your parent’s after-school snack!

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/chianghongkeat/

#1 BUBUR TERIGU

Resembling a paler-looking bubur hitam, the bubur terigu is a sweet wheat porridge. Boiled for at least an hour, the white wheat transforms into a sticky, gooey stew. It is usually sweetened with fragrant gula melaka and coconut milk to give it that extra oomph.

This traditional treat can be found stewing at a small handful of stalls such as Gong He Guan and Hua Jie Traditional Desserts.

Gong He Guan
28 Upper Cross St
Singapore 058337
Tel +65 6223 0562
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Hua Jie Traditional Desserts
17 Upper Boon Keng Rd, #01-70
Singapore 380017
Nearest Station: Boon Keng

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/pohcheukitchen/

#2 CHI KAK KUEH

Black sesame? Charcoal? Nope, it’s mugwort. Known as “chi kak kueh” or “shu ke kueh”, this Teochew snack features mugwort-infused skin stuffed with sweetened green bean paste. Similar to the more familiar ang ku kueh, it’s delightfully chewy on the outside.

Only a few stalls in Singapore make this rare type of kueh, such as Yan Seng Cooked Food and Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh.

Yan Seng Cooked Food
#01-313, Tekka Centre, 665 Buffalo Road
Singapore 210665
Tel +65 6314 0630
Daily: 6am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Little India

Poh Cheu Soon Kueh & Ang Ku Kueh
127 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-222
Singapore 150127
Tel +65 6276 2287
Mon – Sat: 8am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/tonguedynasty/

#3 FUZHOU OYSTER CAKE

Resembling golden-brown UFOs, these Fuzhou oyster cakes are the perfect snack for when you’re craving a deep-fried indulgence. These flat discs are usually stuffed with oysters, minced pork, coriander and roasted peanuts. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these babies are super addictive.

You can find them at Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake and Fuzhou Poh Hwa Oyster Cake.

Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake
1 Kadayanallur St, #01-05, Maxwell Food Centre
Singapore 069184
Mon – Sat: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Fuzhou Poh Hwa Oyster Cake
166 Jln Besar, #02-34
Singapore 208877
Tel +65 8112 5286
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/lee.belinda.98/

#4 NOI JI SUAN

The lotus seed version of tau suan, this traditional dessert is basically a sweet lotus seed porridge. The lotus seeds are cooked till soft and crumbly, but with slightly more bite as compared to that of mung beans. Cooking this dish involves a pretty laborious process of removing the pith of each seed, which is probably why it’s getting harder to find.

Thankfully, House of Dessert in Tampines Round Market and Food Centre are still dedicating themselves to whipping up a solid bowl of noi ji suan.

House of Dessert
137A Tampines Street 11, Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, #01-02
Singapore 522137
Tues – Wed: 7am – 3pm
Fri – Sun: 7am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Tampines West

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/chianghongkeat/

#5 PIG TROTTER JELLY

Maybe the name of this dish alone is enough to make some of you gag. We’re not gonna lie, pig trotter jelly definitely has an acquired taste. For those of you who have never tried it, expect chilled gelatinous pork trotter stew cut into bite-sized strips. It is usually dipped in vinegary chili sauce to balance out the heavy, meaty flavour.

This Teochew delicacy can be found at Lao Liang Pig Trotter Jelly & Shark Meat in Jalan Berseh Food Centre.

Lao Liang Pig Trotter Jelly & Shark Meat
166 Jalan Besar, Jalan Berseh Food Centre, #02-37
Singapore 208877
Tues – Sun: 11am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Jalan Besar

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/theburpcouple/

#6 ROTI KIRAI

Roti kirai translates into “net bread”, which is pretty self-explanatory when you look at the snack. It is traditionally served on special occasions such as birthdays and weddings.

Shaped like a tightly-woven lattice, this Malay dessert is made from flour, eggs, water and turmeric powder. It pairs wonderfully with curry but is delicious on its own too.

Get a taste of this delicacy at Roti Kirai Delights or Alimah’s Kitchen!

Roti Kirai Delights
851 Jurong West Street 81, #06-291
Singapore 640851
Tel +65 8498 5459
Mon – Fri: 12pm – 8pm
Sat – Sun: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Pioneer

Alimah’s Kitchen
Block 2A Commonwealth Drive, Tanglin Halt Food Centre, #01-23
Singapore 141003
Nearest Station: Queenstown

#7 SWEET AND SALTY GLUTINOUS RICE

Most of us are probably familiar with lor mai kai and lotus leaf glutinous rice. But how about sweet and savoury glutinous rice? This type of glutinous rice was a breakfast staple in Singapore during the 1950s and 1960s, but has gradually lost its prominence in the hawker scene.

Loaded with stewed peanuts and fried shallots, the dish is irresistibly fragrant. The rice itself is chewy and sticky, with a good bite to it.

Millennium Glutinous Rice at Chinatown Complex Food Centre is the only one hawker stall which is known to be churning out this dish in Singapore.

Millennium Glutinous Rice
335 Smith St, #02-092, Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Singapore 050335
Mon – Sat: 7am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Photo Credit:www.instagram.com/goawaylobster/

#8 TAU KWA PAU

Char siew paus and tau sar paus have got nothing on the tau kwa pau. This rare gem sees deep fried tau kwa stuffed to the brim with a variety of ingredients — chopped fish cake, fried yam bits, hard-boiled egg and cucumber. Finished off with some thick savoury gravy, it makes for a really hearty meal.

Say Seng Tau Kwa Pau is the only stall left in Singapore that makes this delicious combo. Hurry down now to try this traditional delicacy before it goes extinct!

Say Seng Tau Kwa Pau
271 Onan Rd, Dunman Food Centre, #01-05
Singapore 424768
Tel +65 9488 7736
Tues – Sun: 8am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

Based on a recent research finding, it concludes that Singaporeans are consuming well below the recommended serving of vegetables in our diet.

Those pathetic slices of cucumber with our chicken rice? Definitely not enough. Yet while vegetarian and vegan cuisines are growing in popularity, the general mindset towards our leafy greens are still “Huh? No meat? No thanks.”

We hope that with this list of casual vegetarian eateries in Singapore that won’t have your wallet take a beating, we could change your mind about meatless cuisine—however feeble the attempt you may think it is.

Photo Credit: Rachel Loke

EIGHT TREASURES VEGETARIAN

Located along South Bridge Road, 8 Treatures serves up some of the most tantalising collection of Chinese cuisines, suitable for family, large groups and more. Its extensive menu caters to every palate, and the food is so mouth-watering and imaginative that you wouldn’t even remember you original craving for meat.

282 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058831
Mon to Fr: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

Photo Credit: Fill-a-Pita

FILL-A-PITA

Not only is Fill-a-Pita vegetarian, but they are also Halal too! Serving up fresh and healthy Egyptian-style Middle Eastern food such as hummus and falafel without the usual high price tags. It’s also good to know that they are free from eggs, dairy products as well as onions and garlic.

3 Pickering Street
Nankin Street
#01-29 China Square Central
Singapore 048660
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 5.30pm

GREENDOT

With the motto “Eat Green, Feel Good”, the people behind GreenDot are strong believers of eating green to stay healthy. In order to cater to their customer’s nutritional needs, they have teamed up with a group of nutritionists to serve food that contains only the most beneficial ingredients, and there is no added MSG.

#02-K2/K3/K4 NEX
23 Serangoon Central
Singapore 556083
Daily: 11pm – 10am
Nearest Station: Serangoon

HRVST

While meat dishes are, notably, much more popular than plant-based cuisine, HRVST seeks to challenge the notion through the clever use of vegetables to create flavours that taste as good, if not even better than the real thing. It’s also worth pointing out that they have gluten and allium-free options available to cater to a wider range of dietary needs.

6A Shenton Way
#05-01OUE Downtown Gallery
Singapore 068815
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: Siyan Lin

NATURE CAFE

A casual dining place, it offers a delightful dining experience with a plethora of Asian, Western and Local classics to choose from. Using only the freshest and most delicious ingredients without any MSG, garlic, onion and wine, and served in large generous portions, you’d be happy to be a vegetarian for life.

No 3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-148 Suntec City Mall North Wing
Singapore 038983
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

ORIGINAL SIN MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

Tantalise your taste buds with a selection of Mediterranean, Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern dishes cooked to perfection here at Original Sin Mediterranean Restaurant. Opened since 1997, each item on the menu is carefully fashioned with the best of ingredients that has its dedicated clientele coming back for more.

43 Jalan Merah Saga
#01-62 Holland Village Chip Bee Gardens
Singapore 278115
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Photo Credit: Saute San

SAUTE SAN

Born out of their love for the earth, they specialise in earth-based cuisines and dessert that’s crafted from natural ingredients. Not only are they nutritious, natural and wholesome, but they’re also absolutely delicious too. Regardless of your lifestyle, there’s definitely something for everyone.

180 Kitchener Road
City Square Mall #03-23/24
Singapore 208539
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

WELL DRESSED SALAD BAR

Under the same owners as 8 Treasures Vegetarian, Well Dressed Salad Bar’s motto of “Meatless doesn’t mean tasteless” shines through in their cafe style servings – salads, sides and desserts, so much so that you really won’t miss the meat at all. From pulled jackfruits, fudgy chocolate brownies, spiced beans and vegetarian ham topped with scrambled tofu and creamy guacamole, there’s not much else that you can ask for.

282 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058831
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown

WHOLE EARTH SG

If you’re bored of the usual Asian-Western mix of vegetarian food, here Whole Earth SG offers some of the best Peranakan and Thai Cuisine in Singapore. Using cooking techniques from Thailand and Southeast Asia, the restaurant serves rather unique-tasting dishes, as well as the more comforting Penang Rendang and Nonya Curry.

76 Peck Seah Street
Singapore 079331
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Photo Credit: Yuan Vegetarian Bistro

YUAN VEGETARIAN BISTRO

Not all your favourite local delights have to be considered unhealthy! From the classics such as laksa, kuay chap or even a double cheeseburger, Yuan Vegetarian Bistro shows that dishes that lack meat certainly don’t have to lack flavour. The specials menu is ever-changing, meaning there’s always something new to look forward to.

2 Kallang Ave
CT Hub #01-07/14
Singapore 339407
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bendemeer

A new kid on the block, DUAL Cafe Singapore joins the line-up of hip cafes on the famed and graffiti-covered Arab Street. The cafe is decorated with classic wood furnishings and welcoming shades of green.

Impeccably fusing Western culinary techniques with Asian flavours, DUAL Cafe Singapore offers customers the option to pick from dishes on their set menu or create their own food bowls.

With customisable protein bowls often coming with a hefty price tag, it is easy to understand the cafe’s popularity; their lunch special on Mondays to Fridays, from 11.30am to 2pm, offers food bowls with Ice Lemon Tea for just S$6.90 nett!

We customised our own bowls for the lunchtime special—with a choice of one base (such as Soba Noodles and House Salad), one protein (including Dijon Chicken Thigh, Baked Garlic Dory and Sesame Chicken Breast), and three toppings.

Customers also have the option to add extra sauce to their bowls without extra charge!

Our first bowl was made up of Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Mirin Salmon, Sous Vide Egg, Mushroom Medley and Honey Balsamic Mushrooms.

The servings were incredibly generous considering the price. Every single ingredient on the plate was well seasoned and complemented one another perfectly.

The other customised bowl we ordered consisted of Organic Brown Rice, Braised Pork Belly, Mushroom Medley, Steamed Broccoli and Corn. Unsurprisingly, the highlight of the bowl here was definitely the Braised Pork Belly.

Fatty and salty enough to enjoy with the fluffy bed of brown rice, the pork belly was so flavourful with it being steeped in a myriad of sauces for hours to give it that savoury burst of flavours.

Office workers looking for a healthy yet affordable lunch meal in the area should definitely check out DUAL Cafe Singapore; they even serve local brew craft beers at wallet-friendly prices so you can indulge yourself after office hours!

DUAL Cafe Singapore
48 Arab St
Singapore 199745
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat: 10.30am – 9pm
Sun: 10.30am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

A real gem in Havelock’s Central Square is Annalakshmi Restaurant, offering homely and authentic vegetarian Northern and Southern Indian cuisine.

Annalakshmi boasts an interesting dining concept: they offer absolutely no menu and their food is served buffet-style. At the end of the meal, diners pay as they wish.

We had a unique dining experience here, just like that of having a meal cooked by a friend’s mother at their cosy home.

GENEROUS SERVICE

In addition to providing an unconventional dining experience, Annalakshmi is also mostly run by generous volunteers who dedicate their time to the restaurant and provide their help in all aspects including cooking, serving, dishwashing, transportation and more.

The reason behind Annalakshmi’s business model is simply to provide service to their diners and not put too much pressure on the amount of profit they earn. As such, they also do not run on a typical hierarchical structure one is used to in an organisation.

Since the restaurant is mostly run by volunteers, it is tough to pin a price point on these selfless and compassionate acts of service. That said, we recommend paying at least S$10 for your meal.

MOUTH-WATERING INDIAN FOOD

We arrived at Annalakshmi early and were promptly seated at a table right by the delectable spread of food, ranging from fluffy and fragrant basmati rice to dhal and several varieties of side dishes.

Each of the vegetarian dishes was incredibly aromatic and tempting with the delicious mixture of scents and spices wafting through the air.

One of our favourite combinations on the plate was the Naan which soaked up the Moong Dhal’s flavours and delivered a burst of spices into our mouths.

There is also a live station of Dosa Delights, where diners can choose from 4 different types of dosas such as Plain, Butter, Masala and Jaffna (a Sri Lankan variation of Dosa).

We also headed over to the live station and ordered a Plain Dosa and Masala Dosa from the friendly chef who promptly cooked it before us. The dosas were thin and perfectly crisp yet soft in the centre as well, and both the sauces paired beautifully with it.

Offering a vast array of drinks as well, we ordered their Grape Lassi to round up our meal at Annalakshmi. The lassi was creamy from the yoghurt and had just the right amount of sweetness.

Give Annalakshmi a visit if you wish to introduce a foreign friend to Indian cuisine, or even if you are craving for a hearty, delicious vegetarian meal and wish to contribute to a good social cause.

The compassionate restaurant and its volunteers will definitely have us visit again soon.

Annalakshmi Restaurant
#01, 20 Havelock Rd,
04 Central Square, Singapore 059765
Tel: +65 6339 9993
Mon: 11am – 3pm
Tue to Sun: 11am – 3pm, 6.15pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Clarke Quay

Probably only known to those who stay in the west of Singapore, Pandan and Teban Gardens are two underrated neighbourhood districts in Jurong East. As secluded as these places may seem to the rest of Singapore, there are a couple of hidden gems in the area that are worth exploring.

Ranging from humble eateries and hawker stalls to restaurants and even a cosy ice cream parlour, Pandan Gardens and Teban Gardens offer a decent selection of food choices for residents of Jurong East and those who are working near the area.

Here are 9 Eateries And Restaurants To Check Out At Pandan & Teban Gardens.

PANDAN GARDENS FOOD PLACES

Photo Credit: KEK Seafood

#1 KEK SEAFOOD

KEK—short for Keng Eng Kee—Seafood at Pandan Garden is the zi char restaurant’s second outlet in Singapore. Adding a different twist to local zi char dishes, what you can expect at KEK Seafood is a myriad of local and western dishes such as Marmite Chicken, Coffee Pork Ribs, Salted Egg Soft Shell Crab Pasta and more.

200 Pandan Gardens #01-12
Singapore 609336
Tel: +65 6694 3044
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

Photo Credit: Ministry Of Ribs

#2 MINISTRY OF RIBS

Nestled under a HDB block, Ministry of Ribs is like your typical ‘atas’ coffee shop where you can get American-style food at reasonable prices. What they are known for is their succulent Hickory Smoked Ribs but if you are looking for more options, go ahead with the Black Angus Ribeye or the Ministry Burger.

For those who are up for a tipple or two, Ministry of Ribs also carries a range of alcoholic beverages where you can have a good time with your buddies over some beers.

Blk 416, #01-125
Pandan Gardens
Singapore 600416
Tel: +65 9890 4649
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

#3 MY LITTLE ICE CREAM SHOP

My Little Ice-Cream Shop is managed by the same folks behind the famous fishball noodles eatery—Pandan Fishball Noodles. This hole-in-a-wall ice cream parlour offers classic ice cream flavours such as Raspberry, Strawberry and Coconut. Otherwise, opt for their premium flavours including Salted Caramel, Yuzu Sorbet, Tiramisu and Mao Shan Wang.

Have the ice cream on fresh waffles which comes with one wet and one dry topping.

150 Pandan Gardens
#01-07 Ayer Rajah Community Club
Singapore 609335
Tel: +65 6265 5845
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

Photo Credit: PGFN

#4 PANDAN FISHBALL NOODLES

Founded in 1982, Pandan Fishball Noodles has been dishing out mouthwatering fishball noodles and laksa at the same coffeeshop and the business is now helmed by the family’s third generation. The sweet part? You can get a comforting bowl of fishball noodles for only S$2.50!

Blk 416, #01-122
Pandan Gardens
Singapore 600416
Tel: +65 9009 2714
Daily: 6am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

Photo Credit: jamsembrano

#5 TENDERBEST

Look no further if you are craving for sinful fried chicken—you will find a menu dedicated just for that at Tenderbest. Nestled within Ayer Rajah Community Centre, the halal-certified restaurant runs a self-service concept where diners have to pick up their own orders at the counter.

Some noteworthy items not to miss are the Salted Egg Yolk Pasta with Crispy Chicken, Crispy Fried Half Chicken with Rice and Laksa Spaghetti.

150 Pandan Gardens
#01-02 Ayer Rajah Community Centre
Singapore 609335
Tel: +65 9169 0972
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

TEBAN GARDENS FOOD PLACES

Photo Credit: Prae Sampachanya

#6 HAO CHU SEAFOOD

Hao Chu Seafood or also known as Chop Lian Hin because of its prominent wooden signboard is a no-frills coffee shop where residents of Teban Gardens drop by for hearty zi char dishes such as Curry Fish Head, Cereal Prawns, San Lou Bee Hoon and Fish Head Soup.

39 Teban Gardens Road
Chop Lian Hin Coffeeshop
Singapore 600039
Tel: +65 6561 1405
Mon to Fri & Sun: 11.30am – 1.45pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sat: 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

#7 POH POH CHICKEN RICE

Talk about Poh Poh Chicken Rice and many will think of the original outlet at Serangoon Gardens. This chicken rice stall may not be ranked amongst the best in Singapore, but its affordable prices make it a great place to satisfy your cravings for this local dish.

You can also find Poh Poh Chicken Rice at Teban Gardens Food Centre.

37A Teban Gardens Road
#01-15, Teban Gardens Food Centre
Singapore 601037
Mon, Wed to Sun: 8am – 8.30pm
Tue: Closed
Nearest Station: Jurong East

Photo Credit: Sen

#8 QUAN SOON WANTON NOODLE

Besides Poh Poh Chicken Rice, something else to look forward to at Teban Gardens Food centre is Quan Soon Wanton Noodle. Having been around for more than 35 years, this hawker stall offers one of the cheapest wanton noodles in Singapore for only S$2!

Even the laksa and prawn noodles are sold at S$2 and you can choose bigger portions by topping up just a little more.

37A Teban Garden Road
#01-04, Teban Garden Food Centre
Singapore 601037
Daily: 5am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

Photo Credit: T.K Kitchen

#9 TONG KIAN EATING HOUSE

Also called T.K Kitchen, this coffee shop specialises in Chinese zi char at Teban Gardens. Their signature dishes include crabs cooked in several ways (Chilli Crab, Claypot Cheese Crab and more), La La Bee Hoon, Handmade Fried Prawn Rolls and Assam Fish Head.

T.K Kitchen is closed on every Thursday on the second and fourth week of the month.

37 Teban Gardens Road
#01-302/303
Singapore 600037
Tel: +65 8330 7554
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Jurong East

For more recommendations, read our guide on 18 Food Places in Jurong East that are worth travelling for.

Sushi is a very big part of Japanese food culture and in Singapore, we are blessed with many great Japanese restaurants that are able to satisfy our sushi cravings. These Japanese restaurants range from affordable to mid-tier and right up to the fanciest restaurants that will cost you an arm and a leg when you dine there.

We have heard of sushi dishes that come with exorbitant price tags but not all of us are able to afford that kind of luxury on a daily basis. Then again, who says that good sushi has to be expensive?

If you are looking for good sushi bars in Singapore serving sushi at wallet-friendly prices, carry on reading this guide to find out more. 

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET RESTAURANT

Japanese food lovers, you need to know about this secret Japanese restaurant on the rooftop of Orchard Central—Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant! It houses 5 different restaurant concepts in one, serving up flavourful Japanese fare in generous portions at fairly affordable prices.

Dishing out a vast variety of Japanese food options spanning from sushi and sashimi, ramen, tempura and an assortment of chicken dishes and wagyu dishes, to say diners will be spoilt for choice is an understatement. And the best part is being able to order from any of the 5 menus and having them served and billed together!

181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SENMI SUSHI

Do not be put off by Senmi Sushi’s fancy interior—the prices on their menu are actually very reasonable for the quality. Tucked in Marina Square’s Emporium Shokuhin, Semi Sushi is one Japanese restaurant you have to drop by for their scrumptious sushi sets and donburi bowls.

Our favourites at the Japanese restaurant have to be the Chirashi Don, (S$19), Salmon Lovers Platter (S$17.80) and the all-time favourite Dynamite Maki (S$16.80).

6 Raffles Boulevard
Marina Square #01-18
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6812 2179
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall / Esplanade / Promenade

KINSA SUSHI

A hidden gem in HillV2, Kinsa Sushi is one of the most popular restaurants in the area among residents living nearby as prices are kept affordable, despite the premium ingredients used.

Most dishes are priced under S$15, and the star dish is definitely the Wagyu don (S$24.80), served with Grade A4 Kagoshima Wagyu. Some other recommendations include the Kinsa Roll (S$14.80) and Salmon Mentai Maki (S$16.80).

4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

KOH GRILL & SUSHI BAR

Any Japanese food lover would have heard of ‘Shiok Maki’ (S$16.80) from Koh Grill & Sushi Bar in Wisma Atria. The melty cheese sauce was the perfect companion for the charcoal grilled eel wrapped with salmon maki.

For those who have not been keeping up, the Japanese restaurant has since launched a second generation of Shiok Maki which replaces unagi with tempura prawn instead. If you are looking for more options, consider their Pork Sukiyaki (S$14) or Yaki Udon (S$10).

435 Orchard Road
#04-21 Wisma Atria
Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

KOJI SUSHI BAR

Tucked in China Square, along Nankin Row, Koji Sushi gets naturally packed with people during lunch hours. Most people would have a bowl of the Chirashi Don (S$17) on their table, and we can safely say its popularity is due to its friendly price tag.

This stylish sushi bar has a curated menu featuring nigiri sushi sets (from S$9) and donburi bowls (from S$17).

3 Pickering Street
#01-42,Nankin Row
Singapore 048660
Tel: +65 6225 6125
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

STANDING SUSHI BAR

Standing Sushi Bar’s comprehensive menu includes a good variety of handmade sushi, fresh sashimi, agemono, robatayaki, noodle, grilled items and a large collection of sake stocked behind the bar counter.

The sushi bar runs various promotions throughout the week and loyal customers will know that Mondays and Thursdays are the best days to visit for salmon sashimi as they are going at only S$3 for five pieces. What a steal!

8 Queen Street
#01-03, Singapore Art Museum
Singapore 188535
Tel: +65 6333 1335
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

THE SUSHI BAR

Originally a small sushi place at Far East Plaza, The Sushi Bar has seen tremendous success amongst Singaporeans and currently has two outlets, with the other one located at Ngee Ann City.

They serve the standard dishes like sushi, sashimi, and donburi bowls, but if you only have room for one dish, you must try the famous Salmon Aburi Sushi (S$14.50).

#04-28 Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road
Mon to Fri: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 12.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TOMI SUSHI

Tomi Sushi may not be the cheapest restaurant on this list, but the no-frills Japanese restaurant is still considerably affordable for its high-quality ingredients—prices range from S$20 for a tempura set to S$38 for the sushi bento.

9 Raffles Boulevard
#02-12/13 Millenia Walk
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6238 1123
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Promenade/ Esplanade

RYOSHI SUSHI IKEIKEMARU

Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru charges by the plate, and prices range from $1.80 to $6.80 for different sushi. In addition, they also have a selection of à la carte dishes such as Tempura Udon ($9.60), Ebi Fried ($5.80), Chawanmushi ($3.80) and Salmon Avocado Salad ($7.60).

Their sushi dishes may not be the most outstanding when it comes to quality but certainly value-for-money and makes for a great everyday sushi restaurant without burning a hole in your pocket.

177 River Valley Road
Basement 1 Liang Court
Tel: +65 6337 1022
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

FISH MART SAKURAYA

Fish Mart SAKURAYA is a Japanese supermarket-cum-eatery that has branches at Anchorpoint Shopping Centre, West Coast Plaza and Parkway Parade.

You can find all kinds of Japanese food-related items in their mart—ranging from fresh sashimi to Japanese snacks and frozen ingredients to buy home. The SAKURAYA dining area is further inside and that is where you can enjoy air-flown fish from Japan and a wide array of affordable Japanese mains.

370 Alexandra Road
#01-32 Anchorpoint
Singapore 159953
Tel: +65 6474 2495
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

For more recommendations, read our guide on 10 Cheap Chirashi don in Singapore for S$18 and under.

To say Singapore is a foodie’s paradise is an understatement. We are more than that!

Perhaps, you may think that your everyday carrot cake and bak kut teh are all too common, but Singapore is blessed with different races and cultures, and this has directly impacted our food and all that we have to eat today.

Being in Singapore simply means you will never run out of options on what to eat, because just local food alone, we have a huge plethora and they are all unique in their own ways. We take a look at some of The Best Things To Eat in Singapore.

#1 BAK KUT TEH

Bak Kut Teh is a popular pork bone soup that has many different renditions across Southeast Asia. But of course, nothing beats the Singapore-style Bak Kut Teh – a rich and peppery clear pork bone broth with tender pieces of pork ribs.

Braised for many hours, the broth has an intense flavour and the pork is so tender that it falls off the bone easily. Traditionally eaten with white rice, braised peanuts and/or salted preserved vegetables, this is one of our all-time favourite local dishes.

#2 BEEF NOODLES

Beef noodles can be a pretty vague term because there are, too, many renditions across Asia. Here in Singapore, beef noodles are traditionally served in two ways – dry or with soup.

The dry version is served with a thick starchy brown sauce, whereases the latter is served in a rich herbal-like broth. Tender slices of beef are often accompanied by beef tendon or beef balls.

#3 CAI FAN/ MIXED VEGETABLES RICE

A great economical option for all, Cai Fan translates to Mixed Vegetables Rice. It is the most common stall in hawker centres and coffee shops, where you pick your own ingredients that will be piled atop white rice. Some popular dishes include Stir-Fried Kai Lan, Sweet & Sour Pork and Steamed Fish.

There is a Teochew porridge version which works the same way but porridge is used in place of rice.

#4 CHENG TNG

Cheng Tng is a popular and affordable dessert, usually found in coffee shops and food courts in Singapore. It used to be sold by street vendors in the past, but is a ubiquitous dessert that can be found just about anywhere in Singapore today.

It is a sweet “soup” that features ingredients such as dates and longans in a light brown broth. Cheng Tng can be eaten both warm or chilled, and are mostly under S$2.

#5 HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

As Singapore’s most iconic dish, it is hard to not love this irresistible plate of goodness that can be found everywhere in Singapore. The Hainanese chicken rice dish features a fragrant rice that is cooked in chicken broth and pandan leaves, topped with tender chicken slices.

The chicken is steamed for long hours, and the Hainanese chicken rice is traditionally served with ginger, dark soya sauce and chilli sauce on the side.

#6 CURRY PUFF

Curry puffs are found in many shapes and sizes, and each ethnicity in Singapore has their own version that varies very slightly from each other. A rich curry (usually chicken curry) paste with potatoes and chicken are enveloped inside puff pastry.

This extremely delectable pastry can be found with different stuffing variations. Popular ones include Sardine or Vegetarian Curry. Some quirky ones are Chilli Crab to Chicken Satay.

#7 DURIAN PENGAT

Pureed durian is mixed in with palm sugar and coconut milk, and pandan leaves are used to enhance the flavours of the dessert. This is how the typical Durian Pengat is prepared and this dessert is well-loved by many Singaporeans.

Typically served chilled, some places also top their Durian Pengat off with a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream.

#8 FRIED HOKKIEN MEE

The Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee can also be referred to as fried prawn noodles. Yellow noodles and thick bee hoon are wok-fried with bean sprouts, squid, prawns and lard – all in a sweet broth that gives the dish its primary flavour.

When served, it comes with a slice of lime and a dollop of fiery chilli.

#9 ICE KACHANG

Ice Kachang is every citizen’s saving grace in our nation’s tropical heat. Coarse shaved ice decorated with ingredients such as red bean, pandan jelly, attap seeds and more. Multi-coloured sugar syrups are drizzled on the shaved ice to give the dessert a colourful finish.

In the past, street vendors used to serve Ice Balls – which were actually coarse shaved ice too, but shaped into a ball and served with just the sugar syrups. These days, ice kachang are a lot more elaborate. But they are still very economical – mostly under S$2.50!

#10 KWAY CHAP

Kway Chap is one that might intimidate foreigners, for it includes a multitude of ingredients – mostly intestine from a pig. The ‘Kway’ refers to thick cut flat noodles or kway teow served in a herbal broth, and ‘Chap’ refers to the braise sauce.

The braise often features pig’s intestines (both big and small), pork belly, and braised beancurd. Salted vegetables are add-ons, and the accompanying chilli sauce is often a pretty spicy one.

#11 LAKSA

Nothing meats a warm bowl of Laksa and Singapore’s version of it is sometimes referred to as Katong Laksa. Katong is the place where this iconic dish originated from and the bowl of cut-up thick bee hoon is flavoured with dried shrimp, assam leaves, spices and enhanced with fragrant coconut milk.

Typically, the Katong Laksa is topped with cockles, fish cake and boiled prawns. Laksa is best consumed with a soup spoon only. You can add extra spice to your laksa with sambal chilli.

#12 MILO DINOSAUR

Milo is a malt chocolate drink, and it is Singapore’s favourite drink. The Milo Dinosaur might seem like an intimidating name, but it is quite the contrary.

Iced Milo is piled up high with more powdered milo, and it is also how this quintessential drink had the name ‘Milo Dinosaur’ coined – with the ‘dinosaur’ referring to the mountain of Milo powder.

#13 OYSTER OMELETTE

Oyster Omelette is a mainstay in many hawker centres and coffee shop stalls because it tastes so ridiculously good. Beaten egg and flour, together with seasonings and condiments, are wok-fried with plump and fresh oysters to produce this incredible dish.

The flour, when fried, becomes crisp on the outside but still soft on the inside. It adds a good textural variety and bite to the dish. Have it with some sambal chilli and you are in for a treat.

#14 PRAWN NOODLE SOUP

Prawn Noodle Soup is a great comfort for Singaporeans. Typically, yellow noodles or vermicelli is used together, served in a rich prawn and pork ribs broth, and topped off with fresh prawns and pork meat.

Most prawn noodle stalls in Singapore also offer a dry version where the noodles are tossed in various sauces.

#15 ROJAK

We call Rojak the Singapore-style salad. It is a fruit and vegetable “salad” tossed in a shrimp paste sauce and sprinkled with crushed peanuts.

The Indian version of this is very different. It is a variety of deep-fried doughs, seafood and meats that is eaten with a red peanut sauce.

#16 ROTI PRATA

Called ‘Roti Canai’ in India, the Roti Prata (as it is called in Singapore) has made its mark and goes down as one of our country’s most iconic dishes.

It is like a flour pancake that is usually made a-la-minute, and served with a side of chicken curry. The most common varieties are plain and egg prata. And as typical Singapore kids, we grew up eating our prata with sugar.

#17 SATAY

Who can pass up on barbecued skewered meats? Pork, chicken and beef are usually used, and the skewers are grilled or BBQ-ed upon order. It is served with ketupat (Malay rice cake), onions and a side of peanut stalls.

Way back in the past, satay seller used to have mobile stalls where they push through estates where they call out “SATAY!” to alert residents of their arrival. Now, we can find satay in everywhere in hawker centres, food courts and coffee shops.

#18 SWEET & SALTY GLUTINUOUS RICE

It is quite difficult to find stalls selling this traditional dish of sweet & salty glutinous rice, with many long-standing stalls fast depleting. But if you are lucky and happen to chance upon a stall selling it, do not hesitate to purchase it.

Typically, the salty one is more popular but some will choose to mix theirs in with some sweet glutinous rice too. This is one local gem that should not be forgotten.

#19 SWEET CHEE CHEONG FUN

We all know the Hong Kong-style Chee Cheong Fun where either shrimp or char siu meat is stuffed inside. Singapore’s version is served bare (no fillings) and topped with sweet sauce, sesame seeds and sometimes, chilli.

This rice noodle (‘fun’) is made by steaming a mixture until it becomes a large sheet, then rolling it to resemble a pig’s intestine (‘chee cheong’). It is a common and economical breakfast staple in Singapore.

#20 YONG TAU FOO

Yong Tau Foo is can be easily found in coffee shops and hawker centres, with a shelf of ingredients where you take your pick. Grab a bowl and a thong, choose your favourite ingredients and hand it over to the shop assistant.

Choose between soup or dry (some places serve laksa or mee rebus sauce to go with it) and pick a noodle or rice of choice. Popular ingredients include fish balls, cabbage, tofu, stuffed chilli, beancurd skin and stuffed taupok.

#21 BAK CHOR MEE

Bak Chor Mee is a Singaporean hawker dish of minced meat noodles that is commonly eaten as supper.

The piping hot bowl of springy noodles is tossed in black vinegar and chilli, then topped with sautéed mushrooms, lard, minced pork, meatballs, pig’s liver and sambal chili paste. There are a variety of noodles – from thick to thin to flat ones – and you can request for a non-spicy bowl too.

#22 BAN MIAN

Ban Mian in Singapore is a crossbreed noodle dish influenced by the Hakka and Hokkien cuisines. Essentially a big sheet of noodles, the sheet is then cut up to bite-size pieces.

The end result is bouncy delicious egg noodles submerged in a near-boiling anchovy stock broth, complete with minced pork, vegetables and a runny egg.

#23 BRAISED DUCK RICE

Braised Duck Rice is a popular Teochew Chinese delicacy that is well-loved by Singaporeans. The tender duck meat is complemented with a rich sauce and served with a bowl of porridge or fragrant rice.

There are numerous variations of the sauces across Singapore but recipes typically include a myriad of herbs, spices and other flavourful condiments to give the dish an irresistible oomph.

#24 CARROT CAKE (BLACK & WHITE)

Black Carrot Cake, otherwise known as Chai Tow Kway, is nothing like the sugary sweet treats you would come across in Western bakeries. The Singaporean version is a savoury spicy dish that is available in white or black.

The traditional Southeast Asian Carrot Cake is a plate of white radish cake cubes stir-fried with rice flour, chye poh (Chinese dried radish) and eggs. Additional sweet dark sauce is added for the black version.

#25 CHAR KWAY TEOW

The Singaporean version of Char Kway Teow is an addictive plate of sweet-and-savoury rice cake strip noodles stir-fried with several ingredients – bean sprout, belachan chili paste, blood cockles, eggs and sweet sauce.

The dish is extremely unhealthy due to its high fat content but it is insanely delicious! Just drop all your concerns and enjoy a plate of char kway teow; it’s worth it.

#26 CHWEE KUEH

Chwee Kuehs – or more professionally known as Water Rice Cakes – are actually mini bowl-shaped steamed rice cakes topped with crunchy salted turnips.

These savoury snacks are inexpensive (typically under S$1.50 for 4 pieces) and are often consumed as breakfast in Singapore. Best eaten with the kickass chilli, of course.

#27 FISH HEAD CURRY

Fish Head Curry is literally an entire red snapper fish’s head cooked with vegetables. The bubbling red curry stew is spicy and slightly sour, often eaten with fragrant white rice.

These are often found in zichar stalls in Singapore, and it is a communal dish.

#28 FROG’S LEG PORRIDGE

Frog’s Leg Porridge sounds like an exotic dish to eat in TV series Fear Factor, except that it is not. In fact, it is one of the best things in Singapore!

The local Singaporean delicacy of succulent frog meat served with smooth congee is usually consumed during dinnertime or suppertime. There are various cooking styles, but the most popular one is ginger with onion, and gong bao (dried chilli).

#29 HOR FUN

Hor Fun is a plate of thick flat rice noodles served with prawns, squids and snakehead fish slices and drenched with an aromatic viscous sauce.

The sauce is made of chicken stock, egg whites, fish sauce, oyster sauce, light sauce and thickened by corn flour. It may look like second to nothing but this is a very flavourful dish that is more often than not very filling.

#30 KAYA TOAST

The traditional kaya toast is a widely consumed breakfast staple in Singapore. Sweet coconut jam spreads are sandwiched between butter-smeared bread toasts.

Kaya Toast usually comes in a set, complete with 2 half-boiled eggs and a hot drink (either coffee or tea) of choice.

#31 LOR MEE

Lor Mee is a Chinese braised thick yellow noodles dish characterized by its starchy sauce. A good bowl of lor mee is hard to come by these days.

Its contents are rather complex, but basically comprises beansprouts, Chinese black vinegar, celeries, dark soya sauce, fried fish, hard-boiled egg, garlic cloves, ginger slices, meat broth, rock sugar, sliced pork belly meat, spiced powder and tapioca starch to produce a mouthwatering dish.

#32 MEE GORENG

Mee Goreng in Singapore is more often than not Halal-certified, and is a popular supper dish.

This spicy convenient snack is a plate of yellow noodles served with seafood and traces of fried egg. The yellow noodles are usually cooked to varying shades of brown and red, depending on the amount of tomato sauce, oyster sauce and sweet soya sauce used.

#33 NGOH HIANG

Ngoh Hiang is a deep-fried roll of meat wrapped with beancurd skin and seasoned with five-spice powder. The filling is usually finely diced water chestnut, minced meat, prawns and yam.

#34 NASI LEMAK

When directly translated, Nasi Lemak actually means rice in cream. Indeed, the fragrant rice has been soaked in coconut cream before it is steamed and served. The rice is served with cucumber slices, dried shrimp paste, crispy fried anchovies and hard-boiled eggs. A dollop of sambal chilli goes along with it as well.

Optional condiments such as chicken wing and sambal sotongs are common add-ons for a more wholesome meal.

#35 PEANUT PANCAKE

Peanut Pancakes are more affectionately known by the Hokkien community as Mee Chiang Kueh. The pancakes are crispy on the outside, incredibly chewy and fluffy on the inside, and filled with a generous amount of roasted crushed peanut.

#36 POPIAH

Popiahs are fresh spring rolls that are considered festive food to the Peranakan and Hokkien communities. Today, they are commonly eaten throughout the year as a savoury snack.

The delicate tapioca egg skin wraps a rich variety of turnip, bamboo shoots, firm bean curd, minced garlic, pork, prawns and topped off with a sweet sauce.

#37 SAMBAL STINGRAY

Sambal Singray is a divine spicy seafood creation where the stingray is wrapped in banana leaves and charcoal-grilled till cooked.

A spicy concoction of fermented shrimp paste and tamarind paste along with other spices such as lemongrass and red chilies are then smeared over the fish.

#38 TUTU KUEHS

Tutu Kuehs are mini steamed white rice cakes filled with either grated coconut or roasted peanuts. These traditional Singaporean desserts are served on a fragrant piece of pandan leaf and are nostalgic snacks for the older generation.

This guide to Singapore’s Top 20 Inexpensive Restaurants was last updated on 1 May 2015.

Dining out is an expensive affair, and nowadays, it is very difficult to find a decent restaurant/cafe which has main courses for under $20. However, if you know where to go, there are still some hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered.

Here is a list of Singapore’s Top 20 Inexpensive Restaurants where you can go for a good meal, even on a budget.

CLUB STREET SOCIAL

Located at Gemmil Lane (a quiet corner off Club Street), Club Street Social is a chic restaurant/bar which does simple and well-made food — such as all day breakfast, salad, soup, crostini, tramezzini, panini — at reasonable prices.

5 Gemmill Lane, off Club Street
Tel: +65 6225 5043
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10.30pm
Sat: 9am – 10.30pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Raffles Place

FRESH FRUITS LAB

It is a bright and cheerful spot that is tastefully designed to a laboratory theme. Think iced water served in beakers, and fruit juices served in test tubes and conical flasks. The menu is also specially designed to incorporate a fruity element; even their side salads for the main courses come with generous chunks of fresh fruits.

The must-try dishes are the Fish & Chips (S$19), Da Bomb Burger (S$19), Messy Big Breakfast (S$17) and Rainbow Cake (S$7).

351 Changi Road
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Thu, & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Eunos/Kembangan

HOOPLA COFFEE & KITCHEN

The moment we stepped in to Hoopla Coffee & Kitchen, we knew we would fall in love with the cafe. It ticked all the right boxes: well-cooked comfort food at affordable prices (everything on the menu is priced below S$17); a welcoming and friendly environment where you can hang around with your friends; good coffee and homemade cakes; and for those who drive, inexpensive and convenient parking at Infinite Studios.

#01-05, Infinite Studios, 21 Media Circle
Tel: +65 6778 0051
Tue to Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: One-North

JAI THAI

A neighbour to First Thai – and a better one at that – Jai Thai is a perennial favourite whenever we find ourselves at Bugis. Cheap and good sounds overrated, but it describes exactly every dining experience at Jai Thai. They fry one of the better Phad Thais in town, and at S$5, you get a generous serving that comes complete with prawns.

27 Purvis Street
#01-01 An Chuan Building
Tel: +65 6336 6908
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

7 Clover Way
Tel: +65 6258 0228
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 9pm
Sun: 6pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Marymount/Bishan

K. COOK KOREAN BBQ BUFFET

K. Cook Korean BBQ Buffet has just opened at Orchard Central for a few months, but it has already earned the loyalty of many customers for a simple reason. It is one of the most affordable Korean BBQ buffet restaurants in Singapore. Granted, the quality and variety of meat are not the best, but given the prices, there is really nothing to complain about.

Lunch: S$14.90++ (Mon to Fri), S$24.90++ (Sat, Sun, Eve of PH, & PH).
Dinner: S$24.90++ (Mon to Thu), S$26.90++ (Sat, Sun, Eve of PH, & PH).

#07-01, Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6884 7282
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

KINSA SUSHI

Nestled in the quaint HillV2, Kinsa Sushi is made for the heartlanders and all who love a simple Japanese meal. Prices are not at all intimidating to say the least, and the menu is well-covered with the usual Nippon favourites prepared with premium ingredients.

The must-try dish at Kinsa Sushi is undoubtedly the Wagyon Don (S$24.80). Prepared with Grade A4 Kagoshima Wagyu and prized for its premium marbling, your don will be nothing but divine.

Equally good is the Kinsa Roll (S$14.80) – cucumber and avocado maki roll, wrapped with torched salmon and salmon roe, and jazzed up with a mentaiko that adds some cheesiness and saltiness to the fresh roll.

4 Hillview Rise
HillV2 #02-02
Tel: +65 67107278
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bukit Batok

LITTLE DINER

Little Diner is a New York style restaurant and bar that serves honest and hearty comfort food at super reasonable prices. Some of the dishes that we love include Truffle Fries (S$9.50), Buttermilk Fried Chicken (S$18.50), Beef Burger (S$21.50), Truffle Mac & Cheese (S$20.50) and the Nutella French Toast (S$16.50).

789 Bukit Timah Road
Tel: +65 6466 4088
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village/Botanic Gardens

MIHARU SAPPORO RAMEN

The first few brands that we fell in love with when the ramen trend hit Singapore was Miharu Sapporo Ramen. It used to sit along Robertson Quay, at Gallery Hotel. When the hotel ceased operations, Miharu fans were left upset and deprived of their favourite Sapporo ramen. However the good news is that NOW, they are exclusively at Millenia Walk and you can enjoy a bowl of Miharu’s goodness!

Rejoice, ramen fans! The outlet at Millenia Walk is slightly bigger and very comfortable, while your favourite ramen with the famous Nishiyama noodles specially imported from Japan, and rich miso broth is still flavourful as always. Our favourite ramen is most definitely the Tokusen Miso Ramen with a special miso blend (S$14.80++).

Millenia Walk #01-06
9 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: +65 6733 8464
Daily: 12.00pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

NAKHON KITCHEN

While Nakhon Kitchen is more of an eatery than a restaurant, it is a popular option for many because of its affordable and authentic Thai food. Perennial favourites include Pad Thai, Beef Kway Teow, Green Curry Chicken and Stir-fried Pork with Thai Basil.

212 Hougang Street 21 #01-341
Tel: +65 6286 8785
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

NOUVELLE FUSION KITCHEN & BAR

Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar takes centre stage at SCAPE as an edgy fusion restaurant with signature tapas conveyor belt. It is uncommon to see anything other than sushi on conveyor belts, and Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar sure wins for novelty. Here’s other tidbit – the fusion tapas conveyor belt items are all at a flat price of S$1.50 per plate.

Besides tapas, Nouvelle Fusion Kitchen & Bar also serves classy fusion mains with equally reasonable price tags. Think risotto, duck confit and so much more.

Scape, #03-03,
2 Orchard Link,
Singapore 237978
Tel: +65 6834 4063
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

NUDE SEAFOOD

NUDE Seafood draws its name from the words ‘Nutritional’ and ‘Delicious’, with their dedication in serving fresh seafood at super affordable prices.

NUDE’s emphasis on the usage of quality catches cooked in the simplest of methods is simple – to let the freshness of the ingredients take the centre stage.

There are only five items on the menu, and most of them are reasonably priced between S$16 to S$22. We enjoyed their Salmon (S$16), a sashimi-grade fish and smoked with hickory sauce, served with “Forgotten Grains” such as red rice, chickpeas, oats and almonds – grains that are rarely eaten and thus, its name.

Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3
12 Marina Boulevard, #01-02
Singapore 019982
Tel: +65 6443 1167
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Nearest Station: Downtown

RYOSHI SUSHI IKEIKEMARU

Ryoshi Sushi Ikeikemaru may be a conveyer belt sushi restaurant, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that they are a medicore joint. They have surprisingly fresh sushi at pocket-friendly prices – definitely worth a try when you are craving for Japanese food.

Ryoshi Sushi is also listed in our guide to the most affordable sushi restaurants in Singapore.

177 River Valley Road
Basement 1 Liang Court
Tel: +65 6337 1022
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

SAVEUR RESTAURANT

Saveur Restaurant at Purvis Street has done a good job by serving inexpensive French food. The long line of hungry patrons during meal times is a testament to its popularity.

It is probably impossible to find another place that gives you Pan Seared Foie Gras for $8, and Duck Confit for $9.90. Saveur is still worth a try for those who are dining out on a budget.

5 Purvis Street #01-04
Tel: +65 6100 1788
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

SIN LEE FOODS

A notch above the rest – that’s how we’d describe Sin Lee foods. It is different from most of the cafes that serve your typical brunch fare like Eggs Benedict and Pancakes. The offerings here are creative, well-cooked and refreshing.

Our favourite dish was the Soft Shell Crab Bun (S$19). A well-seasoned breaded soft shell crab with kimchi aioli and house slaw sandwiched between a toasted bun – we’d come back again for this. Other dishes that are worth trying include The Breakfast Tortilla (S$19) and Aburi Broccoli Salad (S$12).

The much-lauded Fried Chicken & Waffles (S$21.90, on the other hand, did not live up to the hype. The waffle and the melted maple butter were excellent, but the fried chicken was slightly underwhelming.

4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee
Tel: +65 6377 3170
Tue to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat: 9.30am – 9pm
Sun: 9.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

SPATHE PUBLIC HOUSE

Housed in a historic brick and timber shophouse along Mohamed Sultan Road, Spathe Public House encourages communal dining by serving dishes with hearty portions that are perfect for sharing.

The food is relatively inexpensive – Spathe Classics include Crispy Black-inked Hake (S$18), Spathe Cheese Burger (S$14) and Homemade Salt Beef Sandwich on Ciabatta (S$22). We also highly recommend the Belgian Waffles & Fried Chicken (S$17), which is one of the best we’ve had in town.

8 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-01
Tel: +65 6735 1035
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

SUPPLY & DEMAND

With its al fresco area and a rooftop bar, Supply & Demand Modern Bistro & Rooftop Bar at Esplanade Mall is a great place for a relaxing meal. They focus on Italian and South East Asian cuisines, and you may expect a combination of mouthwatering street food – from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Burma – presented in a modern way.

Most of the pastas, pizzas and main courses are priced below S$20. Come with a big group and order a variety of dishes to share.

#01-13 Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue
Tel: +65 6336 0588
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 2am
Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Esplanade

THE ASSEMBLY GROUND

This relatively new addition to the cafe scene is a pleasant one. Spacious, dimly-lit and sexy, very good green tea latte and more. Fronted by the guys behind label Benjamin Barker, The Assembly Ground at The Cathay is fast becoming our favourite spot to have a break when we are at the Dhoby Ghaut area.

On the food menu, they’ve got you covered with appetisers, sandwiches and burgers, salads and soup, pastas and pizzas and brunch food. Among the many, the Porcini Cream pasta (S$17.50) deserves a mention. Think a trio of mushrooms, truffle-scented egg and generous amount of shaved parmesan.

As fans of scrambled eggs, we had to try the Omega 3 Scrambled Eggs (S$14). A shame it was not as runny as we’d like it to be. Other outstanding creations to order include the Ragout of Beef with Rosti (S$22), Beef Chilli Fettucine (S$16) and The Assembly Wagyu Burger S$24).

#01-21 The Cathay
2 Handy Road
Tel: +65 67333375
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

TAMOYA UDON

This udon specialist from Japan serves cheap and delicious handmade udon. This is a place where regulars come back again and again for a quick fix.

177 River Valley Road
B1 Liang court
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

101 Thomson Road
United Square #B1-07
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

YAYOIKEN JAPANESE RESTAURANT

This Japanese casual dining restaurant serves surprisingly decent food at affordable prices. Most of the dishes are priced below S$15, and there are several value-for-money sets at S$9.90.

Meidi-ya Supermarket
177 River Valley Road
#B1-50 Liang Court Shopping Centre
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

For more recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s Top 10 Budget Restaurants in Orchard Road.