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

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