New year (not just any new year, but a new decade!), new me! Forget your holiday self, who went overboard with binge eating. That was 2019’s you – 2020 is the time of new beginnings, and you’re finally going to stick to your new year resolution! What better way is there to kick the decade off than with a healthier and trimmer you?

When we talk about health-conscious eating and dieting, the first food item that comes to mind is salad. Especially for those carnivores among us, the thought of eating salads regularly can seem an overly daunting task. It doesn’t help that many might imagine salads as being plain tasting, monotonous to prepare, and more expensive than more substantial food options; it is no wonder that few manage to see this particular resolution through to the year’s end.

Rather than embark on an insurmountable task of breaking your bank (and spirit), join us on a hunt for good, affordable, wholesome foods. We’ve compiled a list of salad bars that serve up fresh, palatable and affordable salads for under, or at, the S$12 mark. You can now have your green(back)s and eat them too!

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/sg.coldstorage/

COLD STORAGE SALAD COUNTER

The next best thing to making salads yourself, Cold Storage’s Salad Counter is heaven-sent for those of us looking for a more affordable option without compromising on portion size and quality.

At older bars, prices start at S$4.99 to takeaway a DIY salad with three toppings and free mixed seeds or dried fruits.

For the newer CREATE salad sections, you can choose either a DIY salad – S$7.90 for two toppings and additional meat – or a premade bowl to go or to have in-house. Besides having more premium items like Black Pepper Ragu, the house bowls are equally satisfying – we suggest the salmon-centric Fresh Off The Hook (S$11.40) and the Thai-inspired Suay Mak Mak! (S$8.90).

252 North Bridge Road
Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-01
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6336 2676 / 2267
Daily: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

MUNCH SALADSMITH

For those wary about not just price, but also the monotony of a vegetable-based dish, Munch Saladsmitth may just be the place for you.

Boasting a team with over a hundred years of cumulative F&B experience and with the motto of serving only food that the kitchen team is willing to eat too, you can expect even their salads to hold a heartiness and full-bodied flavour profile that is atypical of many of its contemporaries.

Fancy fish? Go for the lighter option of John Dory (S$12). Craving chicken? The Roast Chicken (S$12) is a flavourful take on the classic salad staple without incurring any sinful penalties.

1 Raffles Place
One Raffles Place, #B1-16
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6438 1456
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9.30pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Raffles Place
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/saladcosg/

SALAD CO. SG

Finding economical food in the CBD can be an uphill task, let alone something that is both easy on the calories as well as your wallet. Providing economical salads (from S$5.90) since its inception in 2016, Salad Co. SG provides a gastronomical (and economical) respite for the health-conscious population in the CBD.

Besides the price, Salad Co. SG has another draw: instead of being forced to subsist on a mandatory base, you can choose to go without here. Say goodbye to the days of filling up on undesirable vegetables; now you can eat what you really want to instead!

10 Anson Road
International Plaza, #01-17
Singapore 0799903
Tel: +65 6221 9556
Mon to Fri: 10am – 4pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

SALADSTOP!

If eating sustainably is as important as eating healthily to you, this brand fulfils that criterion and more.

As one of the pioneers to healthy eating in Singapore, Saladstop spent its years fostering ties to local communities while building on a portfolio of healthy and delicious food.

In its desire to pay homage to nature, the brand ensures that controllable ends of its supply chain comply with its core values to impart an element of sustainability in all its offerings. The next time you head over for a mix and match salad (S$9.90), you can rest assured that every item in the bowl served is honest, sustainable and trustworthy.

168 Robinson Road
Capitol Tower, #01-05
Singapore 068912
Tel: +65 6820 7670
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 8.30pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.saladsnwraps.com.sg/

SALADS & WRAPS

As per its namesake, Salads & Wraps specialises in precisely those items. Its salads are as hefty as its wraps; their junior salad contains six toppings for S$7, while the regular with all throw-ins is at the wallet-friendly S$10. If you’ve a bigger appetite, the latter is the ideal option for you!

To start the new decade, why not venture out of your culinary comfort zone with something more interesting from the Speciality Junior Salads menu? For example, the Avocado Shrimp (S$8.50) is a wonderful alternative to more common protein bases and holds a hint of sweetness courtesy of its raisin addition.

12 Gopeng Street
Icon Village, #01-86/87
Singapore 078877
Tel: +65 9433 3860
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sun: 11am – 3.30pm
(Closed on Saturdays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

SALMON SAMURAI

Most of us love salmon. Lusciously succulent with a wonderful brine-touched sweetness, for many of us, it is a perennial fish of choice for our salads. The next time you’re looking to scratch that salmon itch without jeopardising your diet or bank account, drop by Salmon Samurai for salmon, salmon, and more salmon.

The new concept of the Shinkansen team, Salmon Samurai has streamlined its salad bar into a DIY donburi place focusing on salmon instead. Before any weight-watchers turn away in disappointment at the inclusion of carbs, and single protein present, you can still craft a mixed greens salad (S$9.90) from this new menu that is just as substantial.

100 Tras Street
100AM, #01-11
Singapore 079027
Tel: +65 6543 6823
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyWrapps/

SIMPLY WRAPPS

Those who pick Simply Wrapps over its competitors do so for a very simple reason: there’s nowhere else in Singapore that serves up palatable salads with such an extensive list of nutritious ingredients – a whopping fifty toppings – and vibrant dressings – eighteen house specials – to pick from.

Worried about choice paralysis? Feel free to consult any of the friendly staff available, or try one of the fifteen chef creations instead. Ranging from S$9.90 to S$11.90, you can take a globetrotting taste adventure by sampling the range of country-themed bowls – if you’re cutting calories, try Amazing Thailand; for those with more leeway, Arabian Paradise is fantastically flavoured.

2 Orchard Turn
Ion Orchard, #B4-30
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6509 6008
Daily: 8am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://sumosalad.com/

SUMO SALAD

An Australian brand, Sumo Salad’s sole outlet in Singapore is in a rather unexpected location. Found inside Holland Village MRT Station – yes, we mean the actual station, not next to it – this kiosk capitalises on the busy footfall, and the working population and the residents in the vicinity.

Unlike the usual mix and match concept, customers get to choose from a set collection of salads (S$9.50 for small; S$10.50 for large): the Warm Moroccan Lamb is especially delightful with its blend of lemon acidity and spiced protein, while the Pumpkin & Pinenut is a sweet vegetarian alternative that’s light in flavour yet substantial in portion.

200 Holland Avenue
Holland Village MRT Station, #B1-11
Singapore 278995
Tel: +65 9088 4580
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Holland Village

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/iceaxe/

SUNMOON FRESH

Predominantly a purveyor of fruits, the uninitiated will likely be oblivious that this is one of the most budget-friendly salads you can find in the CBD. Beginning at just S$5.80 – with additional S$1.50 top-ups for premium meats – you can get a lettuce base alongside five non-meat sides in a takeaway box.

What Sunmoon Fresh lacks in variety – they do have some interesting choices like pomegranate and guava – it makes up for in portion sizes. Deconstructing the salad during eating unveils a plentiful serving that will placate even the most voracious eaters. With unparalleled value like this, go early, or risk the daily meandering lunch queue!

114 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068583
Tel: +65 6634 3575
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/thedailycut.sg/?hl=en

THE DAILY CUT

Tired of boring, healthy meals? This 2020, there’s no need to test your will by eating bland and uninspired salads. The Daily Cut hopes to subvert that trend by plating up fresh, wholesome, nutritious food to show Singaporeans that eating healthy can be a delectable affair too.

While the menu is seasonal, the prices are not: bowls are S$9 for petite, S$12 for regular and S$15 for large.

Unsure of what to pick? This winter, go for the piquant halloumi or the alluring sweetness of the passion fruit vinaigrette to finish your salad. For the truly health-conscious, hop on their website for a detailed breakdown of your bowl’s nutritional information.

1 Raffles Place
One Raffles Place, #B1-31
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6443 3391
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

THE GREEN BAR

The Green Bar seeks to elevate the experience into a more gourmet one. How does it do that?

Firstly, it offers a curated array of freshly prepared house salads with an equally colourful mix and match selection. To really up the ante on luxury, house dressings here can contain up to thirteen ingredients!

Next, it provides cosy seating that’s comparable to any other respected establishment. Bathed in warm hues of brown, it’s comfortable and bright, making it a conducive place for the working crowd to convene during lunch hours.

The kicker? You can experience all that for between a very reasonable S$8.90 to S$13.90. What a steal!

9 Raffles Boulevard
Millenia Walk, #01-91
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6336 0780
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 5.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.thelawn.com.sg/

THE LAWN

Packed neatly inside bento boxes, The Lawn’s salads are a captivating kaleidoscope of technicolour, enticing in their vividness and brimming with freshness. By marrying style and flavours, the brand hopes to excite by moving salads from a boring, single-person dish into a viable sharing option between friends and colleagues.

While the premade bowls tend towards a pricier end of the spectrum, their Create Your Own bowls start are at a friendlier range of S$10.30 to S$10.90. Touting its tagline of “meat your greens”, you have a choice of either a traditional salad bowl with five toppings or a heavier carb-based bowl featuring your preferred grill(s) instead.

31 Biopolis Way
Nanos, #01-07
Singapore 138669
Tel: +65 6478 9739 / Whatsapp: +65 8403 3426
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Buona Vista

Photo Credit: https://www.thesaladbox.com.sg/

THE SALADBOX

Another salad bar furnished with a huge assortment of toppings and equally large portions, The Saladbox offers over forty ingredients – including more unorthodox items like shimeji mushrooms and red brown rice – and thirteen dressings for customers to customise to their hearts’ content.

With that vast a selection, you’d expect the luxury of choice to be translated into some form of price increment; on the contrary, the brand offers pick-your-own salads with complimentary dressing from just S$6.95. If the sheer variety is daunting, why not decide from the slew of all-day-favourites (from S$7.50) – get the timeless Crispy Caesar Salad at only S$8! – available instead?

11 Tanjong Katong Road
KINEX Shopping Mall, #B1-36
Singapore 437157
Tel: +65 6336 6265
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

Photo Credit: https://www.thesaladcorner.com.sg/

THE SALAD CORNER

Yet another popular salad bar residing in the CBD, The Salad Corner has garnered a healthy crowd willing to brave the outlets’ enduring queues to get their fix of greens.

Given the intense competition in the area, The Salad Corner manages to stay afloat through the following combination: a robust serving, a broad range of toppings and an economical price tag.

While inflation has siphoned away its once extraordinarily suppressed prices, the brand keeps its regular salads under S$10, large salads around S$10, and extra-large ones around S$12 (all prices vary depending on outlet).

Here’s a hack for newcomers: send an SMS preorder to beat the queue instead!

7 Maxwell Road
Amoy Street Food Centre, #B1-41
Singapore 069111
Tel: +65 9853 4093 (SMS only)
Mon to Fri: 10am – 2.30pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar / Telok Ayer
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/thesaladshopsg/

THE SALAD SHOP

A persistent quandary faced by establishments is finding balance between convenience and convictions.

For homegrown brand, The Salad Shop, this manifests through offering authentic, inventive meals that promote sustainability, while keeping prices reasonable. Additional initiatives include encouraging customers to reduce waste by bringing their own containers for a S$0.50 discount on any salad.

Keeping to its belief, its toppings and feeds are mostly common items, but with special flourishes. Whether you’re enjoying the refreshing flavours of the chilli lime cucumber or the spicy tang from the cauliflower curry turmeric, you will be promised a wholesome salad (S$9 and up) with a taste profile unlike others.

80 Raffles Place
UOB Plaza 2, #01-20
Singapore 048624
Tel: +65 6536 3686
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Raffles Place
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

TOSS & TURN

Set up by the Cedele group, Toss & Turn is the chain’s answer to its customers’ demand for healthier and more customisable fare. Located mainly in the city centre, the brand serves the health-conscious population by giving them an easily accessible and affordable healthy alternative.

While most of the menu is slightly over the S$12 mark, Toss & Turn’s appeal lies in its seriously sizable salads and the fantastically full-bodied flavours contained within. To illustrate, their signature salads contain a staggering eight toppings – inclusive of protein! – a carb base, and a deliciously wicked dressing (the plum sesame is absolutely divine). Now that is a hefty meal!

290 Orchard Road
Paragon, #B1-09
Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 6974 2128
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/WafukenSG/

WAFUKEN

 One of the forerunners in the local sous vide trend, Wafuken is proud to plate up food with an innate complexity of flavours without the need for excessive touch-ups, and dishes that retain the ingredients’ nutritional benefits courtesy of careful preparation.

Specialising in bowls, Wafuken’s menu is built similar to salad bars: mixing and matching protein and sides, then paying only for the items you’d chosen.

Need a protein on protein meal for gains? Sure, do you want duck, chicken, saba, or all three? Need a salad but can’t give up carbs? Why not add konnyaku and soba with your greens?

At Wafuken, the gastronomical creations are yours.

12 Marina View
Asia Square Tower 2, #02-05
Singapore 018961
Tel: +65 9459 6073
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Downtown
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/pg/WellDressedSaladBarSg/

WELL DRESSED SALAD BAR & CAFÉ

Would you believe us if we told you one of the most long-lived and popular salad bars in Singapore is vegetarian? Created by the Eight Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant group, Well Dressed Salad Bar has been quietly showing the health-conscious crowd that salads do not need a meat supplement to give it flavour and depth.

The secret to the magnetism of the brand – besides its humble from S$5.50 price range – lies not in offering extraordinary ingredients. Instead, it excels by providing toppings of an exceptional level of freshness, and by infusing extra dimensions to their bowls through dressings made by melding usually disparate flavours into a refreshing, cohesive new whole.

282A South Bridge Road
Singapore 058831
Tel: +65 6534 7787
Daily: 12pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/wheatbaum/

WHEAT BAUMKUCHEN

Rounding off the list is another Japanese-styled establishment that provides DIY bowls (from S$10). While their other outlets predominantly serve premade creations, WHEAT Design Your Own Bowl kiosks hand customers the ability to enjoy the brand’s healthy, tantalising fare – salmon sashimi in your salad, yum! – with the luxury of customisation.

Alternatively, if there isn’t a DYOB kiosk in accessible proximity, you can still opt for a premade salad at WHEAT’s other branches. Indulge in a full salmon slab atop a copious bed of greens for just S$12, or get the Penguin salad – no penguins here, just chicken and eggs – which features a soba base for only S$10.

313 Somerset Road
313@Somerset, #B3-46
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 9012 3037
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Somerset
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Working in the heart of Singapore’s CBD can be tough — splurging on overpriced, mediocre lunches is something that every white-collared worker has gradually gotten used to. However, we have got you covered to save you from burning an unnecessary hole in your wallet! 

Nestled within Raffles Place is Republic Plaza, a flourishing office building that has introduced new eateries in their all-encompassing retail enclave serving affordable, delicious lunch fare. These lunch spots at Republic Plaza offer lunch deals under S$15! 

Now, you can dine with your kakis and feast on fantastic nosh as much as you want without fretting about needing to scrimp and save for lunch tomorrow. From healthy salads to traditional local delicacies and even nutritious herbal soups, there is something for everyone at Republic Plaza.

BIG DADDY

Big Daddy is a relatively new kid on the block which offers wholesome, hearty protein bowls.

This is the restaurant to make a beeline for if you are craving a well-balanced lunch consisting of a mixture of delicious fibres, protein, and carbs. Depending on your choice of protein bowls, it will all be generously topped with a variety of sides.

Highlights of their menu include the well-received Grilled Wagyu Beef (S$13.90) and Norwegian Salmon (S$11.90), which are both appetisingly plated with colourful, crunchy sides and runny egg. The beef bowl was our favourite; each beef cube was grilled to perfection to ensure diners taste its utmost smokiness and char.

Accompanying each rice bowl is their specialty dressings, such as the iconic Peri Peri and Mentaiko Sauce.

Big Daddy
9 Raffles Place
#02-04 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

CEDELE

Diners looking to dine at a crisp, comfortable lunch spot will love Cedele which provides an extensive sweet and savoury menu. Expect nothing less than quality food at reasonable prices here.

For the health conscious, we would recommend their Grilled Beetroot Patty and Avocado Plant-based Sandwich, which is served together with a small bowl of soup (S$11.50).

The Cake Set (S$10) includes both a chunky cake slice and a choice of either Wellness Tea or Hot Organic Black Coffee; we had their iconic Carrot Walnut Cake — each thick layer was coated with cream cheese and studded with dozens of walnuts, leaving us hankering for more of their sweet treats.

Cedele
9 Raffles Place
#01-08 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 6974 6201
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

HEYBO

Hitting the CBD area is a popular eatery, Heybo, touting a “feel good fast food” concept. Churning out build-your-own grain bowls, each meal is prepared within a couple of minutes and is chock full of nutrients, flavour and ingredients.

The Kampong Table (S$9.90) is one of their most popular items on the menu. Served with mixed grains and grilled lemongrass chicken, this is a bowl that will surely remind you of the good ol’ days hanging out at the kampong with your pals.

Fish lovers can also opt for their Mighty Mekong (S$9.90) that is served with baked chilli dory. Those who also prefer something a little more traditional will like their Spice Trade (S$9.90), which is served with cauliflower rice and lentils, falafels, fried eggplants and murukku crackers.

Heybo
9 Raffles Place
#01-04/05 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 6974 6209
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

KNEAD TO EAT

Offering sumptuous, humongous portions of sandwiches and toasts, Knead To Eat serves grab-and-go meals for diners on a short lunch break.

Now, you do not need to skimp on lunch! Take a short walk down to the basement, grab your desired sandwich of the day, and munch on a hearty takeaway meal in the office.

We would recommend trying their Wholesome Chicken Avo (S$9.90); the multigrain sandwich is lightly toasted and charred, while their chicken slices were thick and succulent. Chunkily filled with a variety of greens, the bread was also huge in portion and kept us full for the rest of the day!

Knead To Eat 
9 Raffles Place
#B1-14 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 6702 0887
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

KUEH & MEE

Kueh & Mee is a humble eatery serving up traditional Indonesian comfort food, handmade kuehs and local delicacies.

Get a taste of the past with their Asian Delight Set (up to S$7.90)! Indulge in a diverse selection of familiar comfort food including their Signature Mee Siam, Mee Rebus and Indonesian Nasi Uduk, all of which are accompanied by either Kopi or Teh.

A meal is also never complete without desserts! Sticklers for tradition will love the array of sweet treats Kueh & Mee has to offer — nothing hipster or modern, they specialise in old-fashioned Indonesian kueh-kueh and cakes which are all lovingly baked daily to ensure freshness and is sure to stir a sense of nostalgia in you.

Kueh & Mee
9 Raffles Place
#B1-20 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 6226 2516
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

RAMEN HITOYOSHI

Fans of ramen rejoice! Known for being one of the better Tonkotsu ramen chains in Singapore, the prominent noodle restaurant has opened its doors at Republic Plaza and is dedicated to serving the busy office crowd its signature Tonkotsu ramen.

Other than Tonkotsu ramen, they also dish out donburis and sides.

The pork bone broth is tediously prepared to ensure a thick, rich, flavour. It is then garnished with huge chashu pieces and Ajitamago. Spice lovers should definitely try their Spicy Tonkotsu With Ajitamago (S$14.90); chewy noodles sit upon a fiery broth, guaranteed to leave your tongue numb and give “mala” a run for its money.

Those who also prefer the original will love their signature Tonkotsu with Ajitamago (S$13.90), while diners craving for a dish much more familiar and homely can go for their Chashu Chahan (S$11.90), a chashu, egg and rice combination.

Ramen Hitoyoshi 
9 Raffles Place
#02-13/14 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

SALADSTOP!

Satisfy your cravings with SaladStop yummy nutritional wraps, warm grain bowls and hearty soups! Nothing is better than being able to enjoy a nourishing meal that is not just affordable, but tasty.

The highlight here at SaladStop! is their salads. Each signature salad is topped with a myriad of greens, such as lettuce and mixed grains depending on your choice of salad; you can also create your own wrap or grain bowl.

Fans of fish will love their Tuna San (S$13.80), a wholesome salad plated with freshly seared tuna and avocado. Their Sabai Sabai (S$13.80) and Beyond Me Salad (S$13.80) are other crowd-favourite items on their menu as well.

For drinks, definitely check their smoothies out! We had Get Shrek’d (S$8.00) and Berrylicious (S$8.00), and we absolutely loved the latter. Well-blended with a combination of various berries, the smoothie was refreshing and definitely perked up our day.

SaladStop!
9 Raffles Place
#B1-21 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 6974 4223
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

SIMPLEBURGER.INC

This wallet-friendly burger joint serves up a mouthwatering selection of burgers and toasts. They even have an array of ingredients where diners can choose to customise their own free-flow fillings.

SIMPLEburger.Inc stands out with its tasty burgers and well-grilled thick patties. You can choose to order them a la carte or in a set, which comes with a side of either rosti or fries.

We will go out on a limb to say that the Natural Beef Burger with Fries (S$11) was one of the best burgers we have had in a while; the burger consisted of a succulent meat patty and fluffy toasted buns. Made with a mixture of premium beef cuts, the Natural Beef Patty was unseasoned to let its natural flavours shine, then grilled to a perfect medium doneness.

SIMPLEburger.Inc
9 Raffles Place
#B1-02 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 6285 8839
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

SUKHUMVIT 100

Sukhumvit 100 is a new takeaway kiosk at the basement of Republic Plaza dishing out well-loved Thai favourites.

You can watch the chef behind the wok up close in action as he cooks your food and get a whiff of the aromatic fragrance from the Thai spices used! Every dish on their menu — from their Beef Boat Noodles to the Traditional Phad Thai — is guaranteed to bring you right to the heart of Thailand and allow you to experience their local flavours.

Sukhumvit 100′s Beef Boat Noodles (S$7.90) brings back fond memories of the Thai Boat Noodles that we had in Thailand! Each strand of rice noodle is deliciously soaked in a herbaceous beef broth and has just the right texture of springiness.

Their Crab Meat Fried Rice with XO Sauce (S$11.90) was also a winner for us — huge tender chunks of crab meat mixed with polished white rice and eggs, what’s not to love?

Sukhumvit 100 
9 Raffles Place
#B1-18 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 9485 9909
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

THE HERBAL BAR

The Herbal Bar at Republic Plaza is known for a spread of nutritious dishes and herbal soups that has followed their family for four generations! The soups were originally created by the owner’s mother, a TCM physician of over forty years, who wanted to incorporate Chinese medicinal elements and herbs in her traditional soups. 

The Herbal Bar specialises in serving a comprehensive menu of natural, nutritious dishes that are gluten and MSG-free with less salt, sugar, and oil. They even have homemade Chuan Bei Almond drinks which give you the taste of each Chinese almond nut due to the stone grind that they use!

Try out their signature soups that come in a set: the Chinese Cabbage Fish Maw and Handmade Meatballs Soup with Chicken Stew Meesua Set (S$13.80), and Ginseng Chicken Soup Rice Set with Herbal Tea Egg (S$13.10).

Expect nothing less than strong, wholesome soups that are full of herbaceous, authentic flavour. They also serve sides to complement your meal! We went for their Oriental Salad with Black Fungus and Lotus Roots (S$3.80) and a small platter of Homemade Dumplings (S$4.80). This is the place to go for if you would love to try wholesome Chinese food!

The Herbal Bar  
9 Raffles Place
#B1-22 Republic Plaza
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 9185 2835
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

UNCLE HO’S CAFE

Feast upon a myriad of authentic Hanoi delicacies at Uncle Ho’s Cafe and experience a sensational culinary journey with their authentic Vietnamese dishes! If you think Vietnamese food is only about pho or banh mi, this rustic cafe will be sure to prove you wrong and leave you impressed with other lesser-known delectables.

The star of the show is none other than their House Special Hanoi Buncha (S$13.90): a sweet, tangy broth consisting of a meaty mixture and pickled vegetables, meant to be eaten soba-style. Throw in the platter of cooked rice vermicelli and vegetables, give the combination a good mix, and you are good to go!

The Banh-Mi (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich) also deserves mention. It is freshly baked in-house daily in the morning, resulting in a crispy crust and a soft inside with a mouthwatering roasted flavour. The Banh-Mi can be ordered with a variety of meat or vegan fillings (from S$8.90). For salad lovers, the Banana Flower with Chicken Salad (S$12.90) tossed with a special home-made dressing is a must-try.

The other highlight would also be their House Blend Vietnamese Hot Drip Coffee (S$5.80) — made from three different coffee blends and served with a metal filter, you get to savour your cuppa as it slowly blends into a cohesive mixture of both sweet and bitter nuances.

Uncle Ho’s Cafe  
9 Raffles Place
#02-05 Republic Plaza II
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 9185 2835
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

DIN TAI FUNG

Locals are all familiar with the household name, Din Tai Fung, the famous restaurant known for their legendary Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao, fried rice and noodles. They have recently opened their latest restaurant at Republic Plaza, and diners around the CBD area can now stop by and relish in the true Taiwanese dining experience!

Every true blue Singaporean has got to sample their signature Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao, which is available in a basket of five (S$7.30) at the Republic Plaza restaurant. A delicate dumpling with a minimum of 18 exquisite folds, it contains a lean, juicy meat filling wrapped in a silky smooth skin.

Check out their Steamed Yam Xiao Long Bao (5pc/S$7) as well! Featuring a unique flavour, the Premium Thai-imported yam is first mashed, then enveloped in skin and steamed. Do not miss out on their other well-loved classics such as their Fried Rice with Shrimps & Eggs (S$13.80) or Crispy Golden Prawn Pancakes (S$11) either!

Din Tai Fung
9 Raffles Place
#02-08 Republic Plaza II
Singapore 048619
Tel: +65 6226 6988
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Besides the attractive lunch options, all below S$15, some of the outlets are also open for dinner. So, if you are working late in the area, or too lazy to stop by somewhere for some quality dinner, pop by Republic Plaza to end off the day on a scrumptious note.

This post was brought to you by Republic Plaza.

The bustling Central Business District (CBD) is home to many restaurants, pubs, bistros and eateries. There is always something to eat, but sometimes, everything seems expensive.

What you may not know is that there are many independent eateries that offer mains for S$10 and below in the vicinity of Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar and Telok Ayer – on top of what you might get at the usual food courts and food centres.

We bring you 10 Affordable Eats in Singapore’s Central Business District Under $10 that will not burn a hole in your wallet.

#1 AUSSIE ROLL

We first chanced upon such rolls in Australia and were impressed by the convenience of it. It is that easy to simply grab a roll to go and they are really affordable, with prices starting from S$2+ onwards. You can expect premium fillings such as avocado, prawns and lobster, and so much more.

30 Raffles Place
#B1-05 Chevron House
Singapore 048622
Tel: +65 6746 3077
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Closed: Fri & Sat
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#2 COFFEE HIVE

Farther down on Robinson Road, Coffee Hive – a Singaporean-style eatery – has a menu of affordable local fare. Expect dishes such as Chicken Curry (S$5.80), Claypot Tofu (S$5.80) and Gong Bao Ji Ding Rice (S$5.80). They also have a couple of Western dishes.

63 Robinson Road #01-02
Singapore 068894
Tel: +65 6224 8707
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Closed: Fri & Sat
Nearest Station: Downtown

#3 KOMALA’S

Komala’s is a well-known name in Singapore for Northern Indian vegetarian food, with multiple outlets islandwide. Komala’s is a popular choice for many in the CBD as most lunch options here will cost you approximately S$3 to S$5. We highly recommend the murtabaks here and trust us, the portion is huge.

#B1-06, Chevron House, 30 Raffles Place
Singapore 048622
Tel: +65 6533 0644
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#4 MOI LUM

This popular Chinese restaurant on Maxwell Road typically offers communal-style dining food and is very popular during dinner time for big groups.

What most may miss out is the fact that they offer S$7.90 set lunches (a main + a soup or drink) that is huge bang for the buck. Some popular choices include Roasted Chicken Noodles and Seafood Rice Noodles. You can go for their Cantonese Set Lunch at S$8.90 instead with slightly better mains.

38 Maxwell Rd
Singapore 069116
Tel: +65 6226 2283
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#5 NGON

There are quite a number of pho places in the CBD, but because Ngon is strategically-located in One Raffles Place, it is perpetually packed during lunch hours. However, if you are lucky enough to find a seat, be sure to grab a bowl of pho (S$9.90) or a Vietnamese rice dish.

1 Raffles Place, B1-17
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 6466
Daily: 7.30am -9pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#6 PHO STOP

We actually prefer Pho Stop over Ngon but it is a longer walk away from the main area of the CBD. But for pho enthusiasts, it is so worth the walk – just to get a bowl of really tasty and hearty pho. They are mostly under S$10 per bowl.

72 Tanjong Pagar Rd
Singapore 088493
Tel: +65 6534 8178
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

#7 QQ RICE

QQ Rice is Taiwanese chain, specialising in customisable healthy rice balls and rolls, packed with a variety of ingredients. You can pick your base rice that ranges from brown rice to purple rice and more. Choose from fresh vegetables, hearty meat options, eggs and a whole lot more, too. Something to eat on the go, and it is definitely filling. Prices are an average of S$3 to S$5, but you will definitely not exceed S$8.

#B1-07, One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 9558
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#8 SALAD & WRAPS

Customise your very own salad or wrap to go, or you can pick from their selection of more than 10 specialty salads and wraps. A regular-sized salad starts from only S$7 and a full wrap will cost you about S$8.

1 Raffle Place, #B1-11 One Raffles Place
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 9654 9868
Mon to Fri: 9.30am – 8pm
Saturday: 10.30am – 5pm
Closed: Sunday
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#9 THE SANDWICH SHOP

Made fresh daily, the sandwiches here (S$8 – S$9.50) can also double up as a great breakfast option. The sandwiches are unpretentious without the fluff, just simple and honest sandwiches packed in convenient take-away boxes in a supermarket checkout style. Their sandwiches are preservative-free and trans fat-free and they include unique spreads and sauces.

16 Collyer Quay #02-07
Singapore 049318
Tel: +65 6536 5141
Mon to Thu: 7am – 6pm
Fri: 7am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#10 THE WICKED GARLIC

The Wicked Garlic has pasta options that are pretty affordable. From carbonara to risotto, our pick for the best pasta here is the Linguini Al Nero Di Sepia ($9.70) – a squid ink pasta that is pretty flavourful. The Wicked Garlic gets pretty packed during lunchtime, so be sure to head down early.

10 Anson Road
#01-37, International Plaza
Singapore 079903
Tel: +65 8509 2942
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat: 11.30am – 8am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

High ceilings and a spacious interior aside, walking into Grain Traders feels just like visiting an old friend. The aroma of fresh veggies and proteins is one so comforting and familiar; we knew we were in for some wholesome goodness.

A new addition to Capitagreen in Raffles Place, Grain Traders serves up healthy grains, together with proteins and vegetables that are far from haphazardly cooked and prepared. And yes, they are healthy AND tasty food.

What we first noticed after scanning their cooked food on display was the vibrancy and variety of the food. Besides pre-arranged healthy bowls, the main draw of Grain Traders is their DIY bowls.

These bowls get you a protein, a hot veggie, 2 cold veggies, a topping, a sauce – all on top of your grain of choice. They are priced at S$16 each and you can customise them however you want. Of course, we were initially hesitant about the relatively high price, but after having our bowl, we can safely say that the taste than justifies it.

For our bowl, we picked quinoa as our grain (and we got such a huge serving that could have fed two!) and salmon as our protein. Roasted beetroot and carrots were our hot veggie choice, and coleslaw and cherry tomatoes were the cold ones.

Trust us when we say all the vegetables here are so fresh and with each component, you can really taste the effort put in to cook and flavour it. We topped off our bowl with some garlic & shallots, together with a sauce of coconut curry on the side for an extra oomph.

Other choices include beetroot feta yogurt and Asian gravy for sauces, and you can even find striploin and seared tuna in the protein choices. One thing’s for sure – at Grain Traders, you certainly get more than what you paid for.

Grain Traders
138 Market Street #01-01/02/03
Singapore 048946
Weekdays: 8am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

New year; new resolutions. It’s time to get into the groove of eating clean (especially after all that Christmas and New Year’s indulging). So for those in the Central Business District, we’ve gathered serious intel on five gourmet joints that offer healthy eats - that not only include salads, but also carbs and meats – to please the body and the palate.

THE GREEN BAR

Executed with painstaking attention paid to taste and quality—house-made dressings consist up to 13 ingredients—there’s no doubt that salads at The Green Bar are one of the best by far. Mouthwateringly delicious is Absolutely Wicked Strawberry (S$12.90)—a crispy bed of mesclun mixed into roasted chicken and prunes coated in a smooth and velvety chocolate glaze, followed by pops of sweetness from strawberries soaked in balsamic reduction, garnished with almond flakes and Danish blue cheese that only assist in upping the enjoyment factor.

A lighter, more refreshing option, the summer duck salad (S$13.90) boasts tart and tangy flavors with perfectly smoked duck, mango, roasted potatoes, red bell peppers, beetroot, clementines and cashew nuts nestled on a bed of watercress and mixed greens that gets a boost from tangy citron vinaigrette—to which we give an approving nod to.

Needless to say, the space fills up pretty fast—what with its healthy, yet luxuriously appetizing salads—so come early. Experience shows most people do.

16 Collyer Quay
#01-16/17 Hitachi Towers
Tel: +65 9855 4290
Mon to Fri: 8am to 89pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

MUNCH SALADSMITH & ROTISSERIE

Smacked right in the heart of the CBD at One Raffles Place is Munch. Not just another salad bar (read: only vegetables), Munch Saladsmith & Rotisserie offers deliciously healthy meat options such as poached salmon (S$11.90 with a salad), and juicy and tender free-range chicken roast (S$8.90 with a salad) that simply screams from the display with its brazenly bronzed skin.

On the salad bar are a variety of carbs and greens like tricolor pasta tossed in house-made basil pesto, wild shrooms sautéed in herbs, and cold soba noodles with corn niblets and shaved red carrot, mixed in sesame dressing. Salads start from S$7.90 for two, S$9.90 for three, and S$11.90 for four. Top up a dollar to wash it down with an iced house-brewed tea.

#B1-16 One Raffles Place
Tel: +65 6438 1456
Mon to Sun: 8am to 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

PLATYPUS TEST KITCHEN

There’s carbs, and then there’s carbs—the latter offering calories actually worth consuming. What we appreciate about Platypus Test Kitchen is their commitment to delivering quality handmade pastas using choice ingredients by organic purveyors at—get this—prices that won’t burn a hole in the wallet. Its signature spicy diablo crab and prawns (S$18.90) feature a good balance of flavors—sweet prawns and firm and chunky crab claw meat tossed together with thick strands of egg tagliolini pasta in a pleasingly spicy egg sauce, finished with fragrant garlic oil and topped with generous chunks of crab meat and whole prawns.

The Chef follows up with squid ink and scallops (S$16.90) of handmade tagliolini noodle coated in a piquant and zesty garlic and lemon sauce served with seared bay scallops—absolutely addictive without being a teeth-staining affair. Food here also churns out fast—perfect for a quick lunch before zipping back to the office.

24 Raffles Place
#02-02 Clifford Centre
Tel: +65 8112 1194
Mon to Fri: 11am to 4pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

SALADSTOP

If you’re gonna eat clean, make it green. SaladStop’s range of Japanese-inspired wraps are our choice picks. Refreshingly fruity with a kick of wasabi, the Tuna San wrap (S$12.50) features a green romaine salad with creamy avocado, sweet cherry tomatoes and mandarin orange crowned with thick slices of seared tuna—edges lined with ground black pepper, beautifully tossed in an appetizing wasabi soy dressing, its glorying moment fulfilled by crunchy sesame seeds and edamame that pack a punch.

An unexpected winner is found in the Go Geisha wrap (S$9.50). If the thought of cabbage, tofu, carrots, cucumber, snow peas and soba noodles make you grimace, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this healthy creation that yields an addictively tasty sweet-salty miso vinaigrette (with a hint of ginger), showered with chockfull of veggies—great for an antioxidant boost. Wraps here are prepared quickly as well, so here’s a great option if you’re on the go.

#B2-78, 8A Marina Boulevard
Tel: +65 6820 0141
Mon to Fri: 8am to 8:30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

WHOLE&HEARTY

Singapore’s first breakfast and fresh yogurt bar, Whole&Hearty is an open concept offering a wholesome range of takeaway breakfast options in addition to its signature heirloom yogurt bar.

Made from a variety of heirloom cultures and base milks—vegan soy, the creamier Bulgarian option, or even Scandinavian-style Viili yoghurt—these house-made yogurts are made fresh daily, complemented with local made granola from The Edible Company and nut butters by Hunter’s Kitchenette—we’re loving their macadamia, and hazelnut butters.

Charged by the bowl (S$4.50 for small; S$6.80 for medium; S$8.50 for large), regular items on the breakfast table include cold organic oats steeped in milk, baked whole apples, fresh seasonal fruit, as well as an array of seeds and nuts such as almond, pistachio, walnut, chia seeds, flax seeds and the like. Not completely “healthy” but too good to ignore is the cereal milk made with the original Momofuku Milk Bar cereal milk mix from New York City. A cheat day every once in a while is forgivable.

#01-84, 12 Gopeng Street
Tel: +65 9855 4290
Mon to Fri: 8am to 2:30pm; 12pm to 8pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

About the writer
Mandy Lynn is a former I-S Magazine writer and current columnist at Nookmag; her dining and nightlife features are published in Men’s Folio, Singapore Tatler Dining and The Drinks Business, amongst others. For bite-sized food recommendations, follow her on Instagram and Facebook, or join her Gourmet Adventures to keep up with the latest dining and nightlife news.