Nestled amongst the many food options available in the Katong-East Coast area of Singapore is Doong Ji – a cosy, authentic Korean restaurant that serves up a variety of dishes from the ever-popular Army Stew to more traditional ones such as the Kimchi Stew and Seafood Pancake.

Run by a Korean lady boss, Doong Ji was established in 2008 and has since become a favourite amongst local residents and tourists who stay in the vicinity. Doong Ji also has a weekday lunch promotion with a selection of dishes priced at only S$9.90+.

On our visit, we got the Bulgogi Hot Pot (S$9.90+), Jjajangmyeon (S$9.90+) and the Pork BBQ (S$9.90+).

Almost as if it was just taken off the stove, our Bulgogi Hot Pot arrived at our table piping hot, with the strong but pleasant smell of beef in the air. We were pleasantly surprised to find generous portions of beef, glass noodles and mushrooms in the soup, in addition to the bowl of rice that came with the dish.

It seemed like the beef had been stir-fried before they were added to the soup. The glass noodles were springy and managed to retain its consistency despite being soaked in the broth. The soup itself was naturally sweet and rich.

The Pork BBQ came stir-fried with onions in a spicy-sweet sauce, set atop a bed of beansprouts, alongside a bowl of rice and soup.

On its own, the dish made for a satisfactory lunch value meal though it’s not too bad as a side dish to share either. The pork was juicy, tender, and each piece of meat was well covered with the sauce, ensuring no disjoint in flavour.

As constant hunters of good jjajangmyeon in Singapore, we have to say that Doong Ji’s definitely made it onto our list with their take on this traditional Korean favourite.

Served with three slices of radish on the side, the noodles came with a sunny side up and a generous portion of sliced cucumbers, which we quickly mixed together. The runny yolk from the egg made for a nice extra topping to the sauce, creating a nice and gooey texture – which gave the jjajangmyeon a well-rounded taste that had us wanting more.

Doong Ji Korean Restaurant
222 East Coast Road
Singapore 428919
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest station: Eunos

The Katong district used to be home to countless of prestigious residential estates up to the mid 20th century. It was later taken over by the government and rebuilt to what we see today – donned with Peranakan-inspired shophouses, and in them lies many hidden gems and secrets. The famed Katong Laksa is located in the vicinity too.

And in the recent years, the number of cafes we can find at Tanjong Katong or Joo Chat is increasing. It is undoubtedly a prime spot in the eyes of cafe owners, and we can see new themed establishments emerging in the area. We are often jealous of the dining choices that residents living there can get; well, it is almost impossible to run out of food options if you live in that district. But anything for food; we are always dining out at Tanjong Katong and Joo Chiat!

For those who need some help, here is a Guide To The 13 Cafes In Tanjong Katong And Joo Chiat. It might take some time to conquer them all, but it will be fun.

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes in the East of Singapore.

#1 AVENUE CAFE

Opened by a group of interior designers, Avenue Cafe at Joo Chiat Road grants you a chance to experiment with some of their furnitures sold in the cafe, with in-store consultants stationed to attend to your queries. The cafe specialises in hot dogs. With five flavours for you to choose from, they are inspirations from five countries – China, Singapore, Germany, Korea and Mexico.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

454 / 456 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427667
Tel: +65 6779 7153
Thu to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 10am – 12am
Nearest Station: Dakota

#2 BAKER’S WELL

This bakery cafe churns out humble homemade goods, packed with love and precision down to the very last ingredient. Fulfil your breakfast needs with some of their bakes; their muffins are made with no butter and less sugar!

35 East Coast Road
Singapore 428754
Tel: +65 6348 6864
Daily: 8am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#3 CARVERS & CO

Located in the heartlands, Carvers & Co gets you enjoying their hearty roasted meats. The interior boasts a cosy setting, well-loved by many heartlanders who visit the cafe for its simplicity and comfort. They have various menu choices available on weekdays and weekends, so expect to be spoilt for choice.

43 East Coast Road
Singapore 473500
Tel: +65 6348 0448
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#4 DO MAIN BAKERY

This French Bakery cafe believes in adopting the most authentic hand-pressed techniques to produce their bread and pastries, using ingredients of the best quality. Choose from an abundance of items from their menu, such as their all-day breakfasts, mains to some of the freshest baked goods.

226 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437015
Tel: +65 6348 1406
Tue to Thu, Sun: 8am – 9pm
Fri to Sat: 8am – 10:30pm
Closed on Mon
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#5 GROUP THERAPY CAFE

Group Therapy Cafe brings about another quiet enclave for some me-time. Sitting in the compounds of Katong V, there are all-day breakfast options, as well as signature pies. Try the Chilli Crab Pie (S$11) for a change from the ubiquitous brunch foods. Sometimes, all we need is a good meal away from the hustle and bustle, yes?

Katong V
30 East Coast Road, #01-11
Singapore 428751
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#6 GOBI DESSERT

If you are a big fan of Soufflés, it is time to visit Gobi Desserts. Be set to go on a gastronomical journey with their lovingly-made bite sized desserts which would only leave you yearning for mores. The cafe is also very pretty, yes?

350 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427598
Tel: +65 6345 2127
Mon to Thu: 7am – 9pm
Fri to Sun: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

#7 HOLQA CAFE

Holqa Cafe strives to bring people together and to encourage people to cherish their time with one another – their clause evidently seen with the clocks, cameras and photo frames decked out in the cafe. It is not the most spacious, nor does it have the most striking decor, but it does captivate the patron’s hearts with their selection of locally-infused Western dishes.

37 East Coast Road
Singapore 428755
Tel: +65 6635 7010
Mon to Tue: 12pm – 9pm
Thu to Fri: 12pm – 9pm
Sat to Sun: 9am – 9pm
Closed on Wed
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#8 LITTLE ICE CREAM KAFE

At Little Ice Cream Kafe, fondly known as LICK, you can find premium homemade ice cream flavours catered to the vast crowd. There are more than 30 flavours for you to choose from! Add on a waffle if you need something more substantial. Ice cream for supper? Yes please!

258 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437046
Tel: +65 6440 8526
Mon to Thu: 1pm – 11pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 1pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#9 STRICTLY PASTRY

Another cafe at Joo Chiat, Strictly Pastry is not only strictly about pastries. From meringues, cakes, tarts and pastries, pamper your sensory glands with baked goodies fresh from the ovens, painstakingly made with love and a truckload of dedication.

267 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427521
Tel: +65 6348 8837
Mon, Wed: 3pm – 9pm
Thu to Fri: 1pm – 9pm
Sat to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Closed on Tue
Nearest Station: Dakota

#10 SINPOPO BRAND

By the people behind Awfully Chocolate, Sinpopo Brand transports you back in time with their retro vibes that are bound to invoke nostalgia, not forgetting rustic furnitures and oldies music playing in the background. The menu is locally inspired, and some of the notable finds include the Babi Toast (S$7), house special Nasi Lemak for Two (S$25), and Orange Kaya Pisang Creme Brûlée (S$7).

458 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427671
Tel: +65 6345 5034
Tue to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 12am
Closed on Mon
Nearest Station: Dakota

#11 THE LANEWAY MARKET

Another pretty place in Tanjong Katong Road is The Laneway Market, whose menu is inspired by various cuisines all around the world. This welcoming cafe is nothing but a delight for us to spend our afternoons in, and the portions of the food are really generous. And, it is probably one of the most photogenic cafes in the area.

266 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437053
Tel: +65 6719 8832
Tue: 4pm – 930pm
Wed to Fri: 11am – 9:30pm
Sat to Sun: 10am – 9:30pm
Closed on Mon
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#12 TOOTHSOME CAFE

Toothsome Cafe steps out of the norm and offers a different take on cafe food that is closer to home, on top of a plethora of cake selections. The spacious cafe first opened its doors this year, and there is faux lawn at their shopfront for some photo-taking too!

368 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437125
Tel: +65 9823 5048
Mon to Tue, Thu: 9am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 8pm
Closed on Wed
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

#13 WITH A PINCH OF SALT

Located opposite Punggol Nasi Lemak, this bright and jolly cafe is quite a crowd pleaser with its colours and happy vibes. With A Pinch Of Salt dishes out quite an extensive menu of Western and Italian mains, and nothing is overly expensive here.

297 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437080
Tel: +65 6348 2297
Tue to Sun: 11am – 11pm
Closed on Mon
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

No lack of dining options if you are at the Katong neighbourhood, and there are always new diners and cafes spouting out. But Carvers & Co got our attention for their concise and highly-raved menu. It does not have a fancy decor to boast of, but it seems they are a comfort for many residents.

They’ve got different menus for weekdays and weekends, and even lunch and dinners differ. The deals on weekends are surely more enticing, and you can expect dishes like Truffle Eggs on Toast (S$15) and Earl Grey French Toast (S$16).

During weekday lunch, they do pretty awesome sandwiches. We had the Miso Butter Veggie Sandwich (S$12), and while it tasted fantastic, we would opt for the Steak Sandwich (S$13) anytime. For just S$1 more, you have a glorious serving of brisket cuts, sweet onions and melted mozzarella cocooned in toasted buttery brioche.

If you need your protein fix, there is also a Roasted Chicken (S$14) option that comes with hash and green beans, or Fish & Chippies (S$14).

Dinner is a lot pricier. You have the Carvers Plate (S$35 for one, S$70 for two) that features a trio of roast meats with potatoes, caramelised onions and garlic confit. Game for some steaks? Carvers & Co. has got that covered. Splurge on the Bone-in Prime Rib that is subjected to availability and cuts, and priced at S$100 per kilogram.

Try it for yourself to understand why the simple affair at Carvers & Co. is well-loved. They brew decent cuppa, too!

Carvers & Co
43 East Coast Road
Tel: +65 6348 0448
Mon to Fri (Closed on Tue): 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/Paya Lebar