Tag: Cheap eats

This Stall In The CBD Serves ‘Thai Cai Png’ – Mix And Match Basil Pork, Green Curry For $5

Apart from a few exceptions, Thai food is something that you pretty much have to eat in a group — with most eateries serving dishes à la carte, it’s not possible for one person to get everything they’d want without overordering and burning a hole in their wallet.

Order the green curry, for example, and you’ll wish you had some basil chicken to go with it. Order both, and you’ll soon realise that even the smallest portions weren’t meant for a party of one.

Basil & Mint, however, changes all that.

Thai Food Meets Cai Fan

Located conveniently at the first level of Amoy Street Food Centre (a mere three minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT), Basil & Mint is a small, unassuming stall that makes full use of its limited space — the storefront is lined from end to end with cooking pots, filled with an assortment of Thai-inspired meat and vegetables.

This isn’t the result of poor space management, though — unlike most eateries that make you commit to a single dish, Basil & Mint operates on a cai fan-esque system instead, where you can mix and match different dishes to create the perfect plate of Thai food.

And in true cai fan fashion, it’s incredibly affordable too, with prices starting from $5 for the classic order of one meat and two vegetables. If that isn’t enough, additional meat and vegetables go for a reasonable $2 and $1 respectively as well.

The mind (and hands, considering that she cooks and serves the food as well) behind Basil & Mint is a woman who goes by the name of “Vee”. She’s not Thai, but her previous job in the airline industry did allow her to make many Thai friends, who then taught her how to cook their native dishes in an authentic way.

Made With Love

Having ordered two plates, my team and I were able to sample pretty much everything that was available (considering that it’s a one-woman operation, it’s understandable that the selection isn’t as extensive as an actual cai fan stall).

While I wouldn’t go so far as to say that it’s better than the food I’ve had in Bangkok, there is a distinct, home-cooked feel to everything — the general taste is something I can best describe as “hearty”, and you can really tell that Vee makes every single dish with love.

While select dishes like the moo palo (AKA Five-Spice Pork) are packed with flavour, others like the basil chicken and bean sprouts are a little too light for my tastes.

That’s where the green curry comes in, though — providing a savoury kick without going overboard, the curry helps to unlock the flavour of other dishes, and everything comes together for an extremely satisfying bite. If there’s one thing that you have to order here, this is it.

Special mention also needs to be said about the portions — Vee is extremely generous when scooping from those cooking pots, and the standard $5 order is more than enough to get you into a food coma (whether that’s a good thing is a whole other thing altogether).

With a unique concept, wide selection and cheap prices, Thai food lovers owe it to themselves to give Basil & Mint a try. It takes all the hassle of choosing what to eat out of the equation, and provides a uniquely homely flavour that you won’t find in your average Thai eatery.

Basil & Mint — Thai Street Eats
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre – 7 Maxwell Road, #01-47
Opening Hours: 11:30AM – 2PM (Monday to Friday), 5PM – 8PM (Monday to Thursday)

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Also Read From Korean Sandwiches To Steaks, Here Are 10 New Eateries In Century Square Worth Checking Out

(Header Image Credit: Discover SG)

8 Incredible Eats In Tampines So Good & Cheap, They’re Made Specially For True Foodies!

Arguably the best spot for foodies, the East definitely harbours some good eats. Whether you are looking for good Bak Chor Mee or mouthwatering Indian Rojak, the neighbourhood of Tampines has it all!

Be spoilt for choice as you attempt to choose from simple dining options to luxurious dinners. To save you some trouble, here’s our list of recommended awesome affordable eats below $10!

1. Xing Yun Kway Chap

Open only during the weekends (Fri-Sun), a bowl of Kway Chap makes the perfect brunch. The pig’s intestines offered at Xing Yun are braised to perfection where they are tender and flavourful. The kway pairs just as well with other ingredients such as pork belly tau pok and more. For under $10, get ready to enjoy a hearty bowl of kway and all the above-mentioned ingredients!

Do however note that queuing can sometimes take as long as 45 mins and remember to arrive as everything is usually sold before 1pm!

Xing Yun Kway Chap
Address: #01-14 Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, Blk 137 Tampines Street 11, Singapore 521137
Opening Hours: Fri-Sun 8am-1pm

2. 137 Lor Mee Prawn Noodles

If you’re looking for a less dense version of Lor Mee, 137 Lor Mee Prawn Noodles is just the thing. Its stall owners are generous with ingredients which include eggs, a slice of pork belly, wu xiang and fish cake. The best part has to be its fried fish, a side dish that spots a beautiful crispy golden brown. The fish comes in generous portions and remains its crispiness despite being soaked in gravy.

With just $3, you are able to get a bowl of decent Lor Mee. If that’s too small a portion, simply pay a dollar more to fully satisfy your tummy!

137 Lor Mee Prawn Noodles
Address:#01-09 Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, Blk 137 Tampines Street 11, Singapore 521137
Contact: 9365 2219
Opening Hours: Daily 6.30am-3.00pm

3. Teo Kee Mushroom Minced Pork Noodle

How can one resist this mouthwatering bones? At Teo Kee, its pork ribs are braised to perfection – tender, bursting with flavour and melts in your mouth. The stall also uses special egg noodles that are surprisingly chewy. Pair the noodles with some green chilli for that tinge of sourness that blends perfectly with the savoury dish for just $4! So if you’re looking for some tasty pork rib noodles at bargain prices, Teo Kee is the stall to visit.

Teo Kee Mushroom Minced Pork Noodle
Address:#01-09 Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, Blk 137 Tampines Street 11, Singapore 521137
Contact: 9365 2219
Opening Hours: Daily 6.30am-3pm

4. Yummy Sarawak Kolo Mee   

Fancy some Kolo Mee? With Yummy Sarawak Kolo Mee, you no longer have to travel across the causeway for this dish. Here at Tampines Round Market, you can find an equally satisfying rendition of this dish. This dish is dry-tossed with different sauces and must-have ingredients such as minced pork, char siew, vegetables and wontons or sui gao, Kolo Mee is sort of like a luxurious version of Wanton Mee. The difference is that the noodles used for Kolo Mee are made with only egg whites, making them a shade lighter and a tad healthier.

A plate of Kolo Mee costs $3 to $5 whilst a set with additional pork ribs will set you back at $3.50. If you’re in the mood for something different, feel free to try the Chicken Feet Spare Ribs Noodles ($4). The spare ribs are well braised and flavourful!

Yummy Sarawak Kolo Mee
Address:#01-45 Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, Blk 137 Tampines Street 11, S521137
Contact: 9885 5513
Opening Hours: Daily 5am-3pm

5. Chai Chee Pork Porridge

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The go-to food for any rainy day, Chai Chee Pork Porridge, similar to the above-mentioned Kolo Mee, is also located at Tampines Round Market. With chicken, fish, pork and century egg to choose from, order your favourite porridge at just $3 per bowl! Our favourite combination will have to be the minced pork porridge with century eggs topped with you tiao. Chai Chee Pork Porridge is rumoured to serve the best Cantonese congee in Eastern Singapore where their thick congee is packed full of ingredients.

However, we are unsure of this stall’s opening hours, so do arrive early to avoid disappointment!

Chai Chee Pork Porridge
Address:#01-45 Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, Blk 137 Tampines Street 11, S521137

6. Fu Yuan Minced Pork Noodle

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Similar to Tai Hwa Minced Pork Noodle, this stall serves good Bak Chor Mee at just half the price. Located at Tampines Street 21, the owner of Fu Yuan Minced Pork Noodle formerly had, as a young boy, worked as an assistant at Tai Hwa. Now you know why there’s a familiar taste to Fu Yuan’s Bak Chor Mee.

At just $3 per bowl, you get a good mixture of minced pork, liver, pork balls and springy noodles, all tossed in Fu Yuan’s special vinegar-based sauce. If you’re coming for lunch, do note that the stall’s closing time is at 2.30pm and will only reopen for dinner at 5pm.

Fu Yuan Minced Pork Noodle
Address:Blk 201C Tampines Street 21
Contact: 65 6337 2201 (from 5pm)
Opening Hours: 6am-2.30pm; 5pm -8pm, closed every 2 weeks on Wed

7. L32 Handmade Noodles

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With L32 Handmade Noodles located at the food court of Tampines 1, you no longer have to travel to Geylang Lor 32 to get your Ban Mian fix.

For its soupy version, an egg is cracked into its flavourful soup for a sweet aftertaste. The noodles are thin and chewy whilst the minced pork/chicken is seasoned nicely with the aroma of sesame oil. The dry version is similar to the soup version, but it is slightly tastier due to an additional secret sauce (we have no idea what it is).

Do note that the queue during lunch time is pretty long. For $4.20 per bowl, we’ll say the dish is worth queueing for.

L32 Handmade Noodles
Address: Tampines 1 shopping mall, 10 Tampines Central 1,  #05-05 Kapitans Food court
Opening Hours: Daily 10am-9.30pm

8. Al Mahboob Indian Rojak

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With good Indian Rojak getting difficult to find, this stall at Tampines is a blessing to all.

One of the best Indian Rojak stalls in Singapore, Al Mahboob‘s fiery red gravy is made from mashed sweet potatoes and spiked with chilli powder. Select from its wide array of ingredients before dipping them into its lip-smacking gravy! Prices depend on how many items you pick but the cost will definitely be below $10 (unless you pick fifty pieces or something). Besides the Indian Rojak, the other signature dish of this stall has to be its Sup Tulang ($6 for 4 pieces).

Al Mahboob Indian Rojak
Address:Blk 506, Tampines Ave 4, #01-361, S520506 
Opening Hours: 12.30pm-8pm (Closed every alt Wed)

With a great variety of cheap eats at Tampines, remember to bring along an empty stomach when exploring this neighbourhood! Let us know in the comments below if there are more worthy cheap eats in Tampines!

(Header image by Miss Tam Chiak)

Also read: The Ultimate Guide For Supper At Siglap – 6 Places You Can’t Miss

Go Ga-Ga Over Geylang With These Seriously Good Eats Under $15

Geylang Sipaku Geylang!

The atmospheric district of Geylang is known for many things (if you know what I mean…), but do you know that it is also home to a huge selection of food at penny-pinching prices? Well, now you do. We’ll be happy to take the credit!

Let us take you on a trip down the streets, past whimsical shophouses and great period architecture to get your fill of some of the best local food in the country. On offer is a greedy grab of choices that will make you go gaga with glee!

1. Penang Seafood Restaurant

Craving for authentic Penang dishes but don’t want to travel across the causeway? Don’t pout, leave your passports at home and opt for the popular Penang Seafood Restaurant instead, a worthy alternative. Aside from traditional favourites, they also serve a wide array of local zi char dishes.

Penang Seafood Restaurant
Address: 76 Lorong 25A Geylang, S 388258
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am – 12mn
Tel: 6841 3002

2. Geylang Claypot Rice

A specialist at their craft, Geylang Claypot Rice takes an estimated 30 minutes – an hour (during peak hours), to serve the food. Good food must wait. For interested diners, it’s advisable to call them in advance. Served with an array of wholesome ingredients, kick up the taste with the recommended two rounds of dark sauce. Believe me, the wait is well worth it.

Geylang Claypot Rice
Address: No. 639, Lorong 33 Geylang, S 389570
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 12am
Tel: 6744 4574

3. Hong Qin Fish & Duck Porridge

This stall offers a variety of Teochew fare such as braised duck and pig trotter platters (in other words, Kway Chap side dishes) to go with their signature porridge. Of course, their best would be the sliced Batang fish, which is often sold out a few hours into business (there’s the fried fish option too). The early bird catches the fish!

Hong Qin Fish & Duck Porridge
Address: #01-127, 134 Geylang East Avenue 1, S 380134
Opening Hours: Daily: 5.45am – 3.30pm
Tel: 9061 4988

4. L32 Kopitiam Ban Mian

When it comes to handmade noodles, the phrase “one of the best” often gets thrown around a lot. But this time, we’re going to make an exception. On the surface, L32 Kopitiam may look ordinary, until you take a glance at the queue at this stall. Such is the power of their Ban Mian, which comes equally slurp worthy, dry or soup.

L32 Kopitiam Ban Mian
Address: 558 Geylang Road, S 389509
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 11am – 9pm
Tel: 9770 2829

5. 126 Dim Sum

Also featured in best 24-7 food places, it’s impossible not to include Wan Dou Sek in this list too. Head down for a no-frills dining experience of value for money dim sum. Nevertheless, be wary of the quality inconsistency of some of their dishes (sometimes good, sometimes bad). At their prime however, this eatery deserves to be on everyone’s list.

126 Dim Sum
Address: 126 Sims Avenue, S 387449
Opening Hours: Daily: 24 hours
Tel: 6746 4757

6. Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow

When you plaster the word “famous” in bold white front at your eatery, you are either arrogant or your food really is damn good. Fortunately, it’s the latter. Arguably one of the best Hor Funs in Singapore, the thick sauce is irresistibly shiok. Although I’ve heard that standards have dropped, it still remains somewhere along the pinnacle.

Must try: Beef Hor Fun ($6)

Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow
Address: 237 Geylang Lorong 9, S 388756
Opening Hours: Daily: 4.30pm – 2.30am
Tel: 9388 0723

7. The Ranch Cafe

Astons? Chargrill Bar? Collins Grille? With all of them offering affordable Western delights and much to the chagrin of our tummies, we can only be at one place at one time. Well, when in Geylang, add The Ranch to that list, which is also same same, but different. Their economical set lunches and dinners on menu are to die for.

The Ranch Cafe
Address: 71 Lorong 27 Geylang, S 388198
Opening Hours: Daily: 11.30am – 11pm
Tel: 6747 0788

8. Little Vietnam Café

Little Vietnam is quite literally, a little Vietnamese-run eatery that serves an extensive menu of Vietnamese staples. You’ve got your phos, banh mis, spring rolls and the likes. Not forgetting to mention, this place is uber popular because prices are middling cheap. Add to that a chill atmosphere and you’ve got yourself a winner.

Little Vietnam Café
Address: #01-25, Grandlink Square, 511 Guillemard Road, S 399849
Opening Hours: Daily: 5pm – 3am
Tel: 6547 8587

9. Brawn & Brains Café

We’ve now headed into café territory so how can we neglect Brawn & Brains, one of the best cafes Singapore has to offer? Brawn & Brains ticks all the boxes. Instagram-worthy food? Check. Artisanal drinks? Check. Good vibes? Triple check. For a genuine wholesome dining experience, make this place your next destination.

Brawn & Brains Café
Address: #01-02, Singapore Badminton Hall, 100 Guillemard Road, S 399718
Opening Hours:
Tue – Fri: 9am – 7pm
Sat – Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
Tel: 6348 0501

10. The Real Hut

Need a break from the meat fare? Head down to this Asian-Western fusion inspired vegetarian café, a relatively new player in the culinary scene. The Real Hut’s dishes are eloquently presented and they look outstanding, giving our favourite greens the extra zing (you have to admit it’s hard to make veggies look appetizing). Psst, there is no service charge and GST too.

The Real Hut
Address: #01-197, Blk 46 Sims Place, S 380046
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 8.30pm
Tel: 6846 9976

There you have it! A world of delectable food for you to explore. So, when in Geylang, you know what to do… Oei! You know what I meant!

Are these places worthy of this list? Did we miss out anything in our food series? Let us know!

Also read: 8 Best Laksa In Singapore For Thick, Flavourful & Spicy Broth

7 Best Meals Under $10 In Orchard That You Didn’t Know About! – Part 1

This is Part 1 of meals under $10 in Orchard . For part 2: