North

If you’re in the north or near the HDB Centre of Building Research…

1. Ivan’s Carbina

Exciting news for rosti lovers: this popular Swiss dish of sautéed grated potatoes is freshly made and served at Ivan’s Carbina.

Choose from a variety of toppings such as cheese sausage ($9.80) or chicken cutlet ($10) to pair with the crisp, golden-brown potato strips. The sour cream provides the perfect tangy balance, while the mushroom sauce adds an extra layer of flavour. Rosti is a rare find at a coffee shop, and the options at Ivan’s are much more affordable than those from restaurants. As potato fans, we enjoyed every bite.

2. Al-Usroh Malay Cuisine

Nestled in a coffee shop at Admiralty, Al-Usroh offers a mouth-watering spread of Malay cuisine at wallet-friendly prices.

We ordered their ayam lemak chilli padi set ($6), and chose an assortment of sides like begedil (potato fritters), kerisik (toasted grated coconut), tofu, tempeh, curry, and a fragrant, perfectly cooked chicken. The sambal belachan was a standout, providing a spicy kick to the dish. It is a popular stall, so be prepared to wait in line during peak lunch hours!

3. JOFA Meepok

Digging into a bowl of minced meat noodles here is like digging into a treasure trove of goodies.

Besides the typical ingredients like minced meat, fishball and pork slices, JOFA’s signature minced meat noodles ($6) are amped up with seafood toppings like scallops, clams, prawn paste, mock abalone, and fried fish sticks.

Tucking into the noodles, we found that they were al-dente and well-dressed in a flavourful sauce of vinegar, pork lard and hint of chilli. Paired with the generous bounty of tasty ingredients, every bite was packed with flavour.

CENTRAL

If you’re in the central area or near The Treasury, LTA Hampshire, HPB, HDB Hub, or MND Tower Block…

4. Ming He Fish Soup

Need a pick-me-up? Drop by Zion Riverside Food Centre and spice up your day with a hearty serving of tom yum fish soup ($6.50)!

The authentic and spicy tom yum flavour truly shines through the soup made by the hawker stall owner who has been in business for over 20 years. It was intensely satisfying to slurp up the soup with a generous accompaniment of rice noodles and fish slices.

5. Isle Eating House

A popular go-to for the hungry office crowd, Isle Eating House serves up satisfying lunch options at affordable prices. At lunch time, its cai fan (economy rice) stall is hard to miss, with its long (but fast-moving) queue.

Here’s what we got for our cai fan: Thai-style fish, spinach, omelette with chives ($4). Each dish was well-cooked and the Thai-style fish was particularly enjoyable, thanks to a good balance between the sweet and sour flavours.

If you’re not in the mood for rice, try out the noodle stall inside Isle Eating House. The seafood ee mian ($4.50) comes with a hearty serving of prawn and sliced fish, chunks of minced pork, and imitation crab, and is topped with a soft-boiled egg. Several slices of bitter gourd also give the soup a refreshing lift. Overall, the dish is filling without being too heavy on the palate.

6. Diva’s Muslim Food

Diva’s Muslim Food, located along Balestier Road, is a hidden gem run by an Indonesian couple from Medan.

Their menu features the usual Malay cuisine favourites, like lontong ($4), mee rebus ($4) and nasi lemak ($4). We tried their nasi ayam penyet ($6.50) which came with fluffy white rice, generous portions of chicken and tempeh, and a bowl of soto on the side. The dish had a homemade feel and the chicken was flavourful, with its crispy skin adding a delightful crunch to each bite.

7. Lechon Republic

Meat lovers, rejoice! You’ll love Lechon Republic, an authentic Filipino restaurant known for its lechon, a suckling pig that is expertly roasted over charcoal.

The dish is available in both half (500g for $25.30) and full portions (1kg for $45.30), making it a great choice for sharing with groups of different sizes. For the ultimate flavour explosion, pair it with mang tomas (pork liver sauce) or with pancit bihon (fried rice noodles) ($11).

8 Good Bites Cafe

Looking for good vibes and great food? Head over to Good Bites, a halal-certified cafe housed in Bishan Sports Complex.

You will be spoilt for choice with their range of fusion western dishes and indulgent milkshakes. From a range of lunch sets, we tried their vegetarian aglio olio ($14), which was served with broccoli and mushrooms — a great option for meat-free days. Good Bites does not just cater to the lunchtime working crowd. If you find yourself craving a late-night supper, the restaurant is open till 5am daily.

WEST

If you’re in the west or near the National Council of Social Service, JEM Office Tower, Jurong Lake Gardens, or Choa Chu Kang Sports Centre…

9. Ah Tiam Curry Rice

Ah Tiam Curry Rice is perfect for the office worker looking for a filling and flavour-packed meal.

Located at Pasir Panjang Food Centre, the stall is known for its pork chop set ($5), which comes with generous servings of cabbage, as well as its sweet and sour pork set ($5), which includes long beans. The portions are large, and soup is also available to round out your meal. The curry sauce, while flavourful, is not too spicy, making it a good option for those who can’t handle too much heat.

10. Tien Lai Rice Stall

Tien Lai Rice Stall is a must-visit for those living or working in the western part of the island. Awarded with a Michelin Plate, it is renowned for their delectable char siu (BBQ pork) and shao rou (roasted pork).

The fragrant oiled rice, paired with the delicious chilli sauce, perfectly complements the succulent meats. The true star of the show, however, is the char siu: lean, sweet and expertly charred, each bite leaves you wanting more. Just be sure to arrive early to get your hands on their char siu and shao rou rice ($4). When we got there around 11am, there was already a queue and the shao rou sold out quickly.

EAST

If you’re in the east or near the SCDF Innovation & Technology Lab or Our Tampines Hub…

11. Pâtisserie CLÉ

Whether you need a sweet treat to celebrate a colleague’s birthday or you simply feel like treating yourself, Pâtisserie CLÉ offers a range of elegant desserts that are perfect for any occasion.

We tried a few of their best sellers: the passion sesame tart ($9), lemon meringue tart ($9), and orh blanc tart ($9), which was a showstopper. Garnished with a candied ginkgo nut and filled with coconut cream and fresh yam paste, the orh blanc tart is a must-try for anyone who loves a modern take on traditional flavours. Do keep in mind that Patisserie CLÉ does not do dine-ins and only offers takeaways or delivery.

12. Imam Banana Leaf Restaurant

Fuel up your day with Imam Banana Leaf’s nasi kandar – a customisable dish that is served with various sides and topped off with curries of your liking.

For our nasi kandar, we ordered a sharing platter plenty for a party of four. We chose fish curry to be ladled atop fragrant biryani and enjoyed a variety of sides: chilli chicken, black pepper sotong, aloo masala, fried fish, ladies’ fingers, and fried egg ($17.50). The result was a feast for both the eyes and taste buds. Among the dishes, the fried fish and aloo masala were the most memorable.

Feeling the hunger pangs after reading this article? Check out this Google Map to find the yummy food stops closest to you.

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