Laifabar is a noodle house that specialises in traditional wanton noodle, dumplings and roast meats. Chef-owner Royce Lee inherited the recipes by his grandmother, who used to be a hawker selling homemade taupok and wanton noodle back in the 1970s.

Known for its “Bu Jian Tian” Fatty char siew and wanton noodle, Laifabar first started and made a name for itself as a wine bar turned noodle house at Scarlet hotel in Ann Siang Hill. Then it moved to Lucky Plaza B1 Lucky Food Centre in December 2020 for a brief period before shifting to the current location at an industrial building in Bukit Batok in April 2021.

With the move to a bigger space, Laifabar has expanded their menu to include rice options to pair with their roast meats.

On Laifabar’s menu, there are four types of roast meat—char siew, roast pork, roast duck and Soya Sauce Chicken.

There is a top-up of S$2 to upgrade the Char Siew to their signature Bu Jian Tian Char Siew for mains.

Out of the three roast meats that we’ve had, the signature Bu Jian Tian Fatty Char Siew was the clear winner. It had the right proportion of fats to meat ratio and it was truly outstanding.

The difference between the Bu Jian Tian Fatty Char Siew and the leaner Char Siew is the texture of the meat. Bu Jian Tian Char Siew is fattier and a lot more tender than the normal Char Siew. Unless you are not a fan of fatty Char Siew, we definitely recommend upgrading it from the normal Char Siew to the Bu Jian Tian Char Siew.

The Roast Duck was also excellent and we enjoyed it thoroughly.

We didn’t quite like the Roast Pork as it was too fatty (not in a good way) and not as crispy we would like it to be.

Laifabar’s new outlet at Prestige Centre in Bukit Batok isn’t the most accessible location, but their excellent roast meats are worth travelling for. Otherwise, they offer islandwide delivery on Grab and you can still get their roast meats without going all the way to the west of Singapore.

Laifabar
Prestige Centre at 71 Bukit Batok Crescent
Tel: 9181 6383

There’s nothing quite as thrilling as discovering something that is hidden—be it intentionally or not. Just the feeling of exclusiveness, being part of a special few to actually know of a hidden gem’s existence gives us a sense of gratification.

In our case, we simply love it whenever we discover hidden food gems. Some tucked away in some of Singapore’s lesser-known shopping malls and even some that find themselves nestled within industrial parks.

Some may say that secrets are meant to be kept, but as far as good food is concerned, sharing is caring—and we care. So here is our list of 11 secret eateries hidden in ulu places.

CAFE COLBAR

Back in 1953, Colbar—also known as Colonial Bar—was used as a British army canteen. Today, people still dine at Colbar and the sense of nostalgia still remains.

Colbar serves a wide range of food on the menu with dishes like their Hor Fun and Chicken Curry Rice being notable favourites. While others make the trip down here for the old-school vibes, many others (like us) come especially for their massive array of craft beers and ciders. That’s right, this unassuming cafe curates some of the world’s finest craft beers around and prices are pretty affordable too!

9A Whitchurch Road
Singapore 138839
Tel: +65 6779 4859
(Closed on Monday)
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

DA LUCA ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Serving up real-deal Italian food Da Luca Italian Restaurant is one spot that never fails to leave an impression. Owned by chef-owner Luca Pucciani along with his wife, this cosy Italian restaurant in Goldhill Plaza dishes out an arsenal of stellar antipasti, pasta and hearty mains.

Fresh ingredients, masterful preparations, friendly owners and good vibes all rolled out into one, this is without a doubt a place that promises a sensational dining experience. While many other Italian restaurants exist elsewhere, this is by far one of the most hearty and authentic around. And the best part? So few know it even exists.

1 Goldhill Plaza Novena #01-19/21
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 6258 4846
(Closed on Monday and Tuesday)
Wed to Sun: 11.45am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

DISTRICT SUSHI

District Sushi is a relatively new Japanese joint that serves up delicious Japanese fare at wallet-friendly prices. Their stellar Bara Chirashi Don, which is priced at an unbelievable S$13 per bowl (no GST and service charge), is stacked high with generous cubes of fresh marinated fish and is one of their most frequently ordered items.

Besides that, the casual eatery also has a range of sashimi, nigiri sushi and a la carte sides that are mostly below S$15—pretty nifty for a hidden eatery.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-15 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 8.30pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Bencoolen

ICHI TEI

This low-key Japanese eatery in Sunshine Plaza is where one can find affordable Japanese food in town. If you are on a budget, Ichi Tei serves simple and flavourful meals below S$14. We thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken Teriyaki Rice Set which comes with a small portion of potato salad and miso soup.

Otherwise, Ichi Tei also has other options such as Curry Rice, Udon, Udon Curry and some of the basic side dishes.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-52 Sunshine Terrace
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9139 1746
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

IZAKAYA NIJUMARU

Izakaya Nijumaru is one hidden gem (literally) in Cuppage Plaza. It is tucked at a corner on the 2nd level of Cuppage Plaza and you wouldn’t otherwise walk past it unless you were particularly looking out for it.

The nondescript outlet has been around for three decades. We actually only discovered it about seven years ago but it has since remained as a favourite of ours whenever we want a simple, affordable Japanese meal in Orchard Road. Our personal recommendations include the Buta Shioyaki Set (S$13), Deep Fried Pork Filet (S$13) and Tendon (S$13).

5 Koek Rd
#02-10/12 Cuppage Plaza
Singapore 228796
Tel: +65 6235 6693
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

NEW STATION SNACK BAR

Salted egg yolk fanatics rejoice because New Station Snack Bar nestled in Far East Plaza is where you can find one of the tastiest salted egg yolk pork ribs around and affordable Chinese food. This small eatery that sits on the 5th floor of the mall serves a surprisingly wide array of dishes.

Conveniently located within walking distance from Orchard MRT Station, this is one great destination for a wallet-friendly meal in Orchard Road. Yet, it is also astonishing how so many people are unaware of its existence after so long.

14 Scotts Road
#05-95 Far East Plaza
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6734 2862
Mon to Sat:11.30am – 9pm
Sun: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PIGSFLY KITCHEN & BAR

Pig’s Fly is a melting pot of 6 different food concepts featuring Western, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Thai and British fare. During the day, this unassuming eatery is basically a slightly more upmarket coffee shop but once the sun sets, it turns into a bar.

Food options are aplenty and the beer taps never run dry, but as exciting as this place sounds, it still finds itself relatively under the radar and is patronised mainly by office workers and residents working and living nearby.

273 Thomson Road #01-05
Singapore 307644
Tel: +65 6256 0261
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sunday: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Novena

TASTE OF THAILAND

Nestled within one of Yishun’s more ‘ulu’ industrial parks, Taste of Thailand stands as a beacon for all things delicious, especially where Thai food and zi char is concerned. This is seriously value-for-money food at its finest and so long as you do not mind the shabby environment, this is definitely a great place to take your friends and family.

Their pineapple rice, fried fish and fried calamari come highly recommended but who are we kidding, all their dishes are amazing.

701A Yishun Avenue 5 #01-01
Singapore 761701
Tel: +65 6756 4883
Mon, Wed to Sun: 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Yishuan

THAI GOLD FOOD

Located in Sunshine Plaza, Thai Gold Food’s menu has popular Thai dishes like Mango Salad, Thai Fish Cake, Pineapple Fried Rice, Phad Thai, and Green Curry. Most of the items are reasonably priced below S$10 and they make for a real-deal Thai food experience—right down to the Thai servers and music that plays in the background.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-14/22 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 6883 1575
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 10pm
Sun: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

VICTOR’S KITCHEN

Even if you have not been to Sunshine Plaza, chances are you would have heard of Victor’s Kitchen at some point. This hidden dim sum gem is a favourite among those who frequent town because it is one of the few places where one can find coffee shop-style dim sum that won’t burn too big a hole in their wallet.

The prices of the dim sum here are around S$3-4 per basket—which isn’t particularly the cheapest but the reason why people constantly make trips down to Victor’s Kitchen is for the down-to-earth atmosphere and quick service.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-49 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9838 2851
Sun to Thu: 10.30am – 8pm
Fri to Sat: 10.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

WILDSEED CAFÉ & BAR

Nestled in Seletar Aerospace Park, Wildseed Café & Bar is a picturesque venue where you can break out of the city’s hustle and bustle. Located on the ground floor of The Summerhouse Dining Room, this farm-to-table concept café serves hearty lunch and brunch during the day and transforms into a casual bar with a delectable grill selection in the evening.

From a wide selection of mains and sweet treats in their daytime menu to an even larger range of alcoholic drinks on their bar menu, there is something for everyone to indulge in at Wildseed Café. From Fridays to Sundays, there is live acoustic music in the evening.

3 Park Lane
Seletar Aerospace Drive
Singapore 798387
Tel: +65 6262 1063
Mon to Thu: 9a – 11pm
Fri: 9am – 1am
Sat: 8.30am – 12am
Sun: 8.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Punggol

One of Singaporeans’ favourite pastimes is cafe hopping. We are always on the hunt for new aesthetic cafes to satisfy our craving for artisanal bakes and tasty food, solid cuppas as well as a reason to update our Instagram accounts. But despite our love for cafes, we tend to stick to the ones that are located in more accessible areas, rarely venturing into unfamiliar territory.

However, little does anyone know that there are actually some pretty good cafes tucked away in far-flung corners of Singapore that deserve way more recognition than they are getting. Here, we have 10 ulu cafes in Singapore if you ever want time away from the world.

BOYLE’S COFFEE 

Bukit Timah Plaza is a pretty run-down mall that many people do not take a second glance at. However, the place is stuffed with hidden gems, and one of them is Boyle’s Coffee. Boyle’s Coffee is a small, artisanal coffee shop which sells great coffee and delicious light bites for when you’re feeling a bit peckish.

They sell some of the best cappuccinos that we have ever tried from a cafe. We also love their signature Espresso as well as their Yuzu Latte. For light bites, we recommend their Ham and Grilled cheese Sandwich which goes really well with the coffee. For the sweet tooth, you can try their Butter and Jam Toast and Sticky Buns.

L1-CS1 Bukit Timah Plaza
1 Jalan Anak Bukit
Singapore 588996
Mon to Thu: 9.30am – 9pm
Fri: 9.30am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Beauty World

CHOCK FULL OF BEANS 

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Changi Village right next to the hawker centre is Chock Full Of Beans, and many people agree that this place is one of the best places to go if you’re looking for a good place for brunch.

Some must-try items here are their hearty Chock Full of Big Breakfast as well as their Eggs Benedict. For drinks, we recommend you order one of the 3D latte art drinks, they’re insanely adorable and great for the gram too!

Blk 4 Changi Village Road #01-2090
Tel: +65 62148839
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 10.15pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 10.15pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

 COMMON CHEFS CAFE AND BAKERY 

When one asks for cafe recommendations, they would usually not expect to get one from Sembawang. Common Chefs Cafe and Bakery is one of those rare places, and it’s a good excuse for you to travel to the Northern part of Singapore.

They offer a wide range of western dishes, drinks and desserts at pretty affordable prices. We love their Single Cheese Burger, and we love the versatility of being able to choose what kind of meat we want for our patty. For dessert, do try out their customizable dessert waffles for a sweet treat.

8 Jalan Legundi, #01-13
Singapore 759274
Tel: +65 66591208
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sembawang and Yishun

Photo Credit: Flickr 

CREAMIER GILLMAN BARRACKS

Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffees main goal is to make artisanal ice creams and coffees affordable luxuries for everyone. Tucked away in Gillman Barracks, Creamier is surrounded by lush greenery and makes for a picturesque place to escape for a day to have some alone time or to spend time with a loved one.

They rotate their selection of 18 mouthwatering ice cream flavours so there is always something interesting to try. Their ice cream is also produced onsite using premium ingredients from around the world, so you know you are always getting the best quality ice cream available.

Blk 5A Lock Road
Gillman Barracks
Singapore 108927
Tel: +65 62621087
Tue to Thu: 1pm – 9pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Labrador Park

Photo Credit: Jubilee Coffee House

JUBILEE COFFEE HOUSE 

Changi Point is in the middle of nowhere for some of us, but its a place with a number of unique hidden gems, with one of them being Jubilee Coffee House. You rarely see eateries located inside an old-fashioned Bungalow, and that is one thing that makes Jubilee Coffee House so special.

This retro coffee house has an extensive menu with both western and fusion dishes. Some interesting things here to try are their Thin Crust Otah Pizza and their Ter Kar Bee Hoon. For dessert, we recommend their Tofu Cheese Cake and Jubilee Classic Cake.

580 Netheravon Road
Singapore 508516
Tel: +65 65430060
Mon – Thu: 10.30am – 1am
Sat/PH Eve: 9.30am – 1am
Sun/PH: 9.30am – 10.30am
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

SCHMEAR

Schmear at Quayside Isle was opened by a New Yorker who wanted to share his passion for bagels, and if you’re craving for some freshly baked New York-style bagels and some over-the-top meat platters, this is the place to be at.

Their best selling item on the menu has to be, of course, their hand-rolled NY bagels. You can choose to either personalise your own bagel with various toppings or go for their scrumptious options such as The New Yorker and The Central Park.

31 Ocean Way
#01-03 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 92362876
Wed to Mon: 8am – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Harborfront

SOEK SENG 1954 BICYCLE CAFE

Tucked far away from the hustle and bustle of the city is Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe. The owner of this quaint place is a passionate vintage bicycle collector who proudly displays his beautiful vintage bicycles for all to see all around the cafe.

Their menu is a combination of local, western and Japanese mains that are mostly below $20. Some of our favourites here would have to be their Katsu Don as well as their Ayam Panggang.

#01-01 Maj Aviation Building
80 Seletar Aeropsace View
SIngapore 797563
Tel: +65 66596124
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)

THE COASTAL SETTLEMENT 

The coastal settlement is a large, spacious cafe that can accommodate up to 300 people. This beautiful, rustic gem is a great place to head to if you want to go somewhere to get away from the hectic city life.

Their brunch menu is available on weekends and public holidays from 11am to 4pm, with some of their popular items being their Big Breakfast and Eggs Benedict. We also enjoyed their roasted chicken and truffle fries as well as their truffle mushroom fettuccine.

200 Netheravon Road
(Near Changi Village)
Tel: +65 64750200
Tue to Sun: 10.30am – 9.45pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

WHISK AND PADDLE

Whisk and Paddle is definitely one of the more popular places to go to for food if you’re in Punggol, and even if you don’t live in Punggol, its worth a travel down.

If you love breakfast food, this is a great place to go to. They serve delicious breakfast dishes such as classic Eggs Benedict. If you want something to share around with friends, you can always opt for a main like their popular Ham & Pineapple Pizza. Do try their very famous Mac and Cheese as well if you love all things creamy and cheesy!

10 Tebing Lane, #01-01
Tue to Fri: 3.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Riviera (Punggol LRT)

WILDSEED CAFE AND BAR 

Who knew that a place called Seletar Aerospace Park could be home to a cluster of great dining areas? One of our favourites here would definitely have to be Wildseed Cafe and Bar, which is a beautiful cafe with a farm-to-table concept that serves hearty lunch and brunch in the day and turns into a casual bar with an amazing grill selection in the evening.

Their mouth-watering Wagyu Beef Burger is definitely a hot favourite here, and we feel that it goes really well with their all-time popular Avocado Shake. For dessert, do try The Highland Pancakes for a satisfying sweet treat.

3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Sun to Thurs: 9am – 11pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of Ph: 9am – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

The Oval at Seletar Aerospace Park is often dubbed as the “Dempsey in the North”. Located in the far-flung area of Singapore, this lifestyle dining enclave is home to several eateries housed in refurbished colonial bungalows.

The rustic vibes from these grand colonial buildings exude a tranquil English countryside charm where visitors are able to enjoy some quiet time away from the mayhem of the city.

Whether you are looking for an adventure to discover new OOTD spots or a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle, here is what you can find at The Oval At Seletar Aerospace Park.

WILDSEED CAFE & BAR

Searching for a place to avoid the crowd? Wildseed Café & Bar would be your best bet. Tucked away in Seletar Aerospace Park, this idyllic garden themed café whips up hearty meals during the day and transforms into a casual bar with a delectable grill selection in the evening.

From a wide selection of mains and desserts in their menu to an even larger assortment of alcoholic beverages, there is something for everyone to indulge in at Wildseed Café. On Fridays through Sundays, there’s even live acoustic music in the evening where you can sing along as you sip on some garden-inspired cocktails.

Wildseed Cafe and Bar
3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Tel: +65 6262 1063
Wildseed Café
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Wildseed Bar
Sun to Thurs: 5pm – 11pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of PH: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol or Yishun

THE SUMMERHOUSE DINING ROOM AND BALCONY BAR

Situated on the second floor of one of a colonial building, The Summerhouse Dining Room is a one-of-a-kind dining destination. Offering blooming views and best ingredients from their humble garden and farming collective, this exquisite restaurant prides itself for its “nature-inspired” cuisine which focuses on local and seasonal produce.

With its farm-to-table concept that supports local and regional farmers, the restaurant provides not only the freshest ingredients, but also healthy and sustainable dishes. However, do note that the restaurant only serves dinner and weekend brunches.

The Summerhouse Dining Room and Balcony Bar
3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Tel: +65 6262 1063
Wed to Sun, Eve of PH and PH: 6pm – 10pm (Dinner)
Sat, Sun & PH: 12pm – 3pm (Brunch)
Mon & Tue: Closed
Nearest Station: Punggol/Yishun

WHEELER’S ESTATE

Brought to you by the same folks behind Wheeler’s Yard, Wheeler’s Estate is a 2-acre wide former British military airbase-turned heritage building.

Set against lush greenery, Alfresco Café by The Lawn on the first floor is where you can sip on refreshing beverages or have your fill of Australian pizzas at the Grill House. Diners can also feast on European cuisine at The Verandah.

Wheeler’s Estate
2 Park Lane Singapore
Singapore 798386
Tel: +65 6262 0001
Alfresco Cafe By The Lawn
Tue to Thurs: 3pm – 11pm
Fri: 3pm – 12am
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 11pm
The Verandah
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Punggol/Yishun

YOUNGS BAR AND RESTAURANT

With its interior decked out with luxuriously padded walls and marble flooring, this 130-seater bar and restaurant exudes a modern vibe with a hint of old-world charm. Diners can tuck into an array of modern European fare such as the Duck Confit with Mashed Potatoes (S$24), Bacon and Eggs Pizza (S$16), and Vanilla Bourbon Crème Brulee (S$10).

This laid-back restaurant also features a speciality bar that is perfect for post-work drinks on weekdays with your colleagues or hanging out with friends for a late-night gathering during the weekends.

YOUNGS Bar and Restaurant
3 Hyde Park Gate
Singapore 799531
Tel: +65 6734 2850
Mon to Thurs: 11.30am – 1am
Fri: 11.30am – 2am
Sat: 8.30am – 2am
Sun: 8.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol /Yishun

DI WEI TEOCHEW RESTAURANT

For a traditional Teochew option, visit Di Wei Teochew Restaurant to feast on Teochew dishes such as their Teochew Cold Crab (seasonal prices), Pork Rib Yam Ring (S$25) and Teochew Liver Roll (S$12 per roll).

Helmed by owner and Head Chef Khoo Tai Guan who has over 50 years of culinary experience under his belt, you can expect scrumptious dishes with light flavours that are a reflection of Teochew flavours in Singapore.

Di Wei Teochew Restaurant
1 The Oval
Singapore 797859
Tel: +65 6262 5946
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Punggol/Yishun

Nestled in Seletar Aerospace Park, Wildseed Café & Bar is a picturesque venue where you can break out of the city’s hustle and bustle. Located on the ground floor of The Summerhouse Dining Room, this farm-to-table concept café serves hearty lunch and brunch during the day and transforms into a casual bar with a delectable grill selection in the evening.

From a wide selection of mains and sweet treats in their daytime menu to an even larger range of alcoholic drinks on their bar menu, there is something for everyone to indulge in at Wildseed Café. From Fridays to Sundays, there is live acoustic music in the evening.

Here is what you can expect from this idyllic garden themed café at Seletar Aerospace Park.

Featuring an Industrial-Scandinavian interior decked with lots of potted plants, Wildseed Café emits a soothing ambience where you can dine indoors amidst lush greenery and vibrant fresh flowers provided by Poppy Flora & Nature Studio.

The café’s Wagyu Beef Burger (S$19) comprises 125g mouth-watering wagyu beef, cheddar cheese, smoked abalone mushroom, slathered with light truffle mayo and sandwiched between toasted sesame bread. It comes with a side of crispy curly fries.

This amazing burger was oozing with delicious goodness and robust flavours that will satisfy any burger cravings.

You can never go wrong with their popular Avocado Shake (S$7.50). What makes this drink so special is the gula melaka added to the blended avocado. The slight sweetness cuts through the creaminess of the avocado which makes the entire flavour less intense and a lot more enjoyable.

The Highland Pancakes (S$9) is unlike your usual Instagram-worthy stack of pancakes.

From the crunchy roasted sweet corn to the fluffy pancakes with house-made butter, the combination of these simple ingredients made it the perfect stack of pancakes for brunch!

Diners can also look forward to other options such as salads, pizzas, pasta and many more mains from their brunch and all-day menu. Coffee lovers can also drop by to enjoy some aromatic coffee proudly roasted by Nomad The Gallant coffee roasters.

With the tranquil greenery and cosy environment, Wildseed Café is a great respite to unwind after a hectic work week over some good food. The location is slightly inconvenient but this is one of those places that would work great for those seeking some quiet alone time.

Wildseed Café & Bar
3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Sun to Thurs: 9am – 11pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of PH: 9am – 1am
Nearest station: Punggol MRT Station

When prompted about good cafes to visit in Singapore, rarely does a café outside of the East or Central Singapore come to mind; and especially not one from Sembawang.

Common Chefs Café & Bakery is an exception and it will be a good enough reason for you to make a trip down to this Northern part of Singapore.

A café plus bakery, Common Chefs Café & Bakery offers a wide spread of Western dishes, drinks, delightful desserts at affordable prices. Here’s what to expect if you are taking a trip down.

The Single Cheese Burger (S$13 for beef, S$12 for chicken and S$11 for fish) features a juicy single patty packed together with freshly sliced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, mustard, mesclun salad and ketchup in a beautifully buttered brioche bun. All burgers come with fries on the side.

We thoroughly enjoyed the beef patty which was extremely tender and bursting with flavour. For an additional S$1, we upgraded the regular fries to truffle fries. While it was decent, it was not the best truffle fries we’ve tried.

As matcha lovers, we could not help but order the Matcha Latte (S$5) which was not too sweet and the notes of the matcha really came through.

Common Chefs Café & Bakery gives you the opportunity to customise your own Dessert Waffle. We decided on the charcoal waffle (S$7.50) with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream (S$3.50 for a single scoop; S$6 for a double scoop) topped with a wonderful caramel sauce.

As the salted caramel ice cream (and caramel sauce) was surprisingly sweet, we were glad that we chose the charcoal waffle as its neutral and muted taste complemented the sweets perfectly.

Common Chefs Café & Bakery is a hidden gem for folks who are staying in the North of Singapore.

Common Chefs Café & Bakery
8 Jalan Legundi, #01-13,
Singapore 759274
Tel: +65 6659 1208
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sembawang / Yishun

About the writer:
A member of the team at ladyironchef, Claire’s mission is to lead a life without regrets – to explore the world and its treasures boldly. When she isn’t pursuing her interests in writing, academia and music, Claire spends her free time with family and her pets. She also hopes to run her own animal shelter in the future.

Sunshine Plaza is an ulu building with both commercial and residential units that is located near Bras Basah MRT Station. While there is generally nothing much to do there, many who work or study nearby flock to Sunshine Plaza during meal hours as the place is home to a few popular eateries.

If you have not been to Sunshine Plaza, drop by the mall next time when you are hanging out in the Dhoby Ghaut area—the unassuming building may have more dining options than you think!

Here is our guide to 9 Hidden Eateries and Restaurants In Sunshine Plaza even locals never knew about.

#1 DISTRICT SUSHI

District Sushi is a Japanese joint that serves up delicious Japanese fare at wallet-friendly prices. Their stellar Bara Chirashi Don, which is priced at an unbelievable S$13 per bowl (no GST and service charge), is stacked high with generous cubes of fresh marinated fish and is one of their most frequently ordered items.

Besides that, the casual eatery also has a range of sashimi, nigiri sushi and a la carte sides that are mostly below S$15.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-15, Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Nearest Station: Bencoolen 

#2 ICHI TEI

This low-key Japanese eatery is where one can find affordable Japanese food in town. If you are on a budget, Ichi Tei serves simple and flavourful meals below S$14. We thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken Teriyaki Rice Set which comes with a small portion of potato salad and miso soup.

Otherwise, Ichi Tei also has other options such as Curry Rice, Udon, Udon Curry and some of the basic side dishes.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-52 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9139 1746
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
Sun & PH: Closed
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

#3 MERELY ICE CREAM

A popular hang out for students who are studying in the area, Merely Ice Cream is an inviting place with bright cheerful colours splashed across its door front.

The insides are entirely different, as the owner has made full use of wooden furniture and clean white walls to give off a soothing vibe. Merely’s ice cream are homemade and they use natural ingredients such as nuts and fruits as toppings.

Whenver someone talks about dining at Orchard Road (or anywhere else nearby), most people are quick to assume that it would be an extravagant wallet-damaging meal. While there are many fine dining restaurants in this vicinity, there is also a sheer number of budget-friendly eateries. Yes, you can find a bowl of noodles at S$5 and below if you search hard enough!

From Far East Shopping Centre, Golden Mile Complex to Orchard Towers, here are 8 Old Shopping Malls In Singapore where you can find lots of cheap food options.

#1 CUPPAGE PLAZA

Cuppage Plaza might be notorious for its Japanese restaurants and Japanese KTV bars, but the old mall is also home to economical food stores on its first floor, namely Orchard Yong Tau Fu and Angel Kitchen.

5 Koek Road
Singapore 228796
Tel: +65 6734 1413
Nearest Station: Somerset

#2 FAR EAST PLAZA

Far East Plaza is every teenager’s go-to paradise for trendy accessories and clothing, but the shabby-looking shopping centre also sells cheap Asian fares at its ground storey and top storey. We love Hainanese Delicay’s fragrant chicken rice, Graffiti Cafe’s wanton mee, Good Morning Nanyang Cafe’s kaya toast and Hong Hu Express’ minced pork noodles.

14 Scotts Road
Singapore 228213
Nearest Station: Orchard

#3 FAR EAST SHOPPING CENTRE

Far East Shopping Centre is dark and gloomy – not quite a destination you ever thought of dining at. But hidden inside this dimly lit mall is a plethora of economy rice and yong tau foo stores where you can have a satisfying meal at just S$4.

545 Orchard Road
Singapore 238882
Nearest Station: Orchard

#4 GOLDEN MILE COMPLEX

A trip to Golden Mile Complex is akin to visiting The Land of Smiles. The mall is dotted with endless Thai restaurants, many which open till very late or are open 24/7. For a cheap Thai meal, head over to Golden Mile Complex’s Nana Original Thai Food and Diandin Leluk.

5001 Beach Road
Singapore 199588
Nearest Station: Lavender / Nicoll Highway

#5 MIDPOINT ORCHARD

We bet most of you have walked past Midpoint Orchard for many years, but actually never set foot in this unassuming mall. After all, nobody talks about Midpoint Orchard. You probably did not even know about its existence! But located in the basement is JTown Cafe, which serves quite a fantastic spread of Indonesian delicacies at affordable prices.

220 Orchard Road
Singapore 238852
Tel: +65 6732 1718
Nearest Station: Somerset

#6 ORCHARD PLAZA

When the beauty parlours, tailor shops and tuition centres at Orchard Plaza shut their doors, skimpily-clad exotic-looking oriental women are seen lurking around the shopping centre. Dodgy businesses aside, there are still eateries that you could visit for a cheap, good meal. Visit the 24/7 Al Madinah Restaurant and treat yourselves to tom yam soup and murtabak.

150 Orchard Road
Singapore 238841
Nearest Station: Somerset

#7 ORCHARD TOWERS

If you thought visiting Orchard Plaza at nighttime was intimidating, then you clearly have yet to venture into the infamous Orchard Towers. Admittedly, a trip afterhours here sunset could make one feel queasy. If that issue is a concern, why not visit in daytime and check out the basement’s selection of cheap hawker fare and Thai restaurants.

400 Orchard Road
Singapore 238875
Nearest Station: Orchard

#8 SUNSHINE PLAZA

Sunshine Plaza has the largest number of printing shops in Singapore. The next time you are running your print errands, do make it a point to have a meal there. After all, Sunshine Plaza is also where you can fill your tummies up with delicious but inexpensive food. Parklane Zha Yun Tun Mee House and Thai Gold Food are two recommended value-for-money eateries.

10 Prinsep Link
Singapore 187948
Nearest Station: Bugis

There is little chance that you will stumble upon Paper Crane unless you have heard of that place. Hidden in the grounds of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) in Waterloo Street, this cafe is within walking distance from Bras Basah MRT Station.

Paper Crane is an unpretentious cafe that serves comforting Western food. Their attractive menu boasts All Day S$10 Deals and other Western main dishes that are below S$20.

Visitors do not have to pay for GST or service charge at this cafe.

Choose from the spacious al fresco seating area and indoor seating by the window if you prefer to stay away from the heat. However, do note that indoor seating is limited to four to five people only due to space constraints.

The Beer Battered Ah Hua Kelong Sea Bass and Chips (S$15) is a value-for-money dish. Under the beer battered crispy skin is soft and juicy sea bass which tastes great on its own without the need for any sauce.

Another favourite is Paper Crane’s Southern-style Fried Buttermilk Chicken with Slaw and Fries (S$15). We could hear the delightful crunch from the crispy skin crumbling into pieces in our mouths. The dish comes with the usual western sides—coleslaw and fries.

Those who enjoyed their homemade chilli can purchase it in bottles at the cafe.

If you are on a budget, they have a range of dishes for only S$10 on the menu such as Spaghetti in Pesto, Greek Chickpea Salad and Popcorn Chicken with Chili and Coriander Mayo.

Otherwise, pick from Kimchi Fries with Grilled Steak and Cilantro Mayo (S$15), 48 Hours Sous Vide Beef Brisket Sandwich with Fries (S$18), Spaghetti with Grilled Prawns in Prawn Butter Sauce (S$20) and more.

Paper Crane
96 Waterloo Street
Singapore 187967
Tel: +65 6837 0836
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

New Station Snack Bar nestled in Far East Plaza is where you can find affordable Chinese food in town. This small eatery has been highly raved about for serving delectable pork ribs, chicken wings and other side dishes.

Conveniently located within walking distance from Orchard MRT Station, this is one great destination for a wallet-friendly meal.

You would think that such a casual dining place would be rather limited when it comes to options on the menu but that was not the case at New Station Snack Bar. Catering to both single diners and those in groups, you can pick between individual dishes or savoury sides a la tze char style.

If you are dining alone, there is the Seafood Hor Fun Soup (S$5), Hokkien Mee (S$5) and Claypot Rice or Noodle with a meat of your choice (S$5.50/S$6).

They also have the classic dishes such as Chye Por Omelet (S$8/S$12), Sweet & Sour Pork (S$11/S$17) and Spring Onion & Ginger Sliced Fish (S$11/S$17).

But the Salted Egg Pork Ribs Rice (S$6) is the real star. Crispy and well-done pork ribs drenched in tasty salted egg yolk sauce; we love that the sauce is rich and extremely flavourful with a hint of curry from the curry leaves.

It is one of our go-to one-dish meal when we are in Orchard Road.

And if you are a fan of spicy food just like us, you will enjoy the tinge of spice that comes along with chopped fiery chilli padi. We recommend mixing up the white rice with the sauce.

Here’s a tip: If you order the a la carte portion as a sharing dish instead of the individually portioned rice set, the ribs will come with a lot more sauce and curry leaves!

New Station Snack Bar
14 Scotts Road
#05-95 Far East Plaza
Singapore 28213
Tel: +65 6734 2862
Daily: 11.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Nobody goes to Sunshine Plaza unless they are printing name cards, but you would have heard about the famous Victor’s Kitchen and made a trip there for dim sum.

But we have another reason for you to visit that otherwise random mall.

Our search for good and affordable eateries led us to this discreet Japanese shop called Ichi Tei, which is located inside Sunshine Plaza. Ichi Tei’s set meals are less than S$14, which makes for a decent lunch or dinner.

Upon stepping into the mall, you will definitely notice the bright red colours of the signboard of Ichi Tei, which will stand out in the plain-looking mall.

Affordably priced at S$8.90, the Chicken Teriyaki Set Meal is a good go; flavourful, and we liked that the chicken skin was slightly charred and crispy. The sweet teriyaki sauce enhanced the flavours of the chicken without it being overwhelming.

Every set meal entitles you to a rice set, creamy potato salad and a bowl of miso soup.

Another popular choice at Ichi Tei is the Unadon Rice Set Meal (S$12.90), where visitors get a generous serving of unagi (Japanese eel) with rice.

While we also enjoyed this rice bowl, the chicken teriyaki fared much better.

There is more on Ichi Tei’s menu—Udon Set, Curry Rice Set and Curry Udon Set. Sides include Deep Fried Shumai (S$6), Salmon Sashimi (S$9) and Tori Karage (S$8).

Ichi Tei
91 Bencoolen Street
#01-52 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9139 1746
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
Sun & PH: Closed
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

A dining experience at Orchid Live Seafood is akin to teleporting yourselves back into time. While the old-school seafood restaurant is not located in the most convenient locations, its inaccessibility has not deterred its loyal customers from patronising it.

Award-winning Orchid Live Seafood has received many public figures over the years and that list includes Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Orchid Live Seafood’s superbly fresh dishes are seriously worth travelling for, and can we say just how much we love the kampong-style experience?! The restaurant is also home to a huge collection of South African craft beers.

From now until 31 December 2016, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 40% off craft beers with any purchase of items on the menu (valid only on weekdays). Meanwhile, here’s what you can expect from Orchird Live Seafood—also the creator of the famous Lobster Porridge.

THE BEST LOBSTER PORRIDGE IN SINGAPORE

Nobody leaves Orchid Live Seafood without ordering the signature Lobster Porridge (S$10 per 100g). While lobster porridge can be found in many other Chinese restaurants, Orchid Live Seafood is actually the original creator. In fact, the Lobster Porridge has been served to customers since 1999. This iconic main course is indeed the epitome of indulgence.

A 600g, 800g, 1kg, 1.5kg and 2kg portion will feed two, three, four six and eight pax respectively. The freshness of these lobsters is guaranteed as they catch your lobsters right after you place your order. These crustaceans are cut into halves, and the plump and juicy lobster meat attributes to the Teochew porridge’s sweetness and aromatic broth.

BOSTON LOBSTER

The massive Boston Lobster (S$70) took us by surprise and we devoured every single bit of it. The succulent flesh is best eaten with the accompanying sauce—a complex blend of butter, cheese, milk and spices. We were almost licking the plate clean!

You can save S$10 and order this chunky lobster for just S$60 as an add-on to any set menus.

TEOCHEW COLD CRAB

The Teochew-style Cold Crab is a crab dish that is almost forgotten, but one that our parents and Teochew descendants will definitely relish.

The Teochew Cold Crab is prized for its roe, and just look at the generous amount of roe on Orchid Live Seafood’s Teochew Cold Crab (S$52)! These briny crabs taste naturally sweet on its own.

STEAMED MINCED PORK WITH SALTED EGG

Orchid Live Seafood is introducing pork in its menu for the very first time and we are totally digging their rendition of the fragrant Steamed Minced Pork (S$18). The meat patty is served with a bright orangey salted egg yolk and drenched in superior sauce.

It’s one of those ‘comfort food’ options, and the kids will love it!

STEVEN CHICKEN

The Steven Chicken (8 pieces – S$12, 12 pieces – S$18, 16 pieces – S$24) blew our minds; it is no surprise this signature has been keeping regulars back for more for many decades.

Marinated in a sweet sauce (inhouse secret!) and deep-fried to perfection; this bestselling dish ain’t no ordinary chicken wings. We dare say it’s even better than Korean fried chicken! Take a closer look and you will notice that the flesh has been scraped from one wing end to the other for easy consumption.

TOP-SHELL WITH FRIED TOFU

Orchid Live Seafood’s chef-recommended Top-shell With Crispy Tofu (S$12) instantly reminded us of a Thai salad. This semi-spicy dish features tofu with sliced cucumber, onions and sesame seeds; the mixture is then drizzled with a hot sauce.

SPINACH WITH THREE EGGS

This plate of Spinach With Three Types Of Eggs (small – S$12, medium – S$15) is a Chinese classic that nailed all the right spots.

The sweet hearty clear chicken broth and fresh greens are served in a pot set atop a fire so your dish stays warm throughout your meal.

SWEET POTATO BALLS WITH YAM PASTE

These Sweet Potato Balls with Yam Paste (S$20 per set) might look unassuming, but it sure left an everlasting impression. Who would have thought these bite-size balls could be so addictive?!

These warm mini balls are delightfully soft inside—with the first layer being sweet potato mash, and the inner layer yam paste. Each golden-brown orb is dusted with icing sugar.

A HUGE SELECTION OF SOUTH AFRICAN CRAFT BEERS 

Interestingly, Orchid Live Seafood is home to a huge collection of South African craft beers. You can purchase these imported bottles from S$8 for a Eversons Cloudy Apple Cider to S$14 for a Citizen Beer Pacifist Winter Porter.

Quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 40% off craft beers with any purchase of items on the menu (valid only on weekdays and until 31 Dec 2016).

Orchid Live Seafood has also opened its reservations for Chinese New Year dinners. Set menus are available; premium seafood and honest cooking are befitting of that annual reunion dinner. Prices start from S$268 nett for 4 pax, to S$468 nett for 6 pax and S$488 nett for 8 pax.

Orchid Live Seafood
16 Jalan Kelulut
Singapore 809033
Tel: +65 6484 2495
Nearest Station: Fernvale

This post is brought to you by Orchid Live Seafood.