10 Food In Bukit Merah So Good That They’ll Make You Weep Tears Of Joy
We’ve always harbored the assumption that Bukit Merah was a ghost town with little or nothing to offer. We had no idea what started it but my oh my, how foolish we were. Turns out, Bukit Merah is home to so many great places that offer quality food.
With this, Discover SG has completed yet another food listicle that takes you on a foodgasmic tour of the best spots to grab an affordable meal (under $15) at Bukit Merah.
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Tian Tian Curry Rice
It’s hard to walk by Tian Tian without passing a look at all its endorsements displayed at the stall front. Boasting at least 6 different types of curries to suit your palate, enjoy a collision of sweet and savoury gravies together with your standard cai fan fare.
[caption id="attachment_9298" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9297" align="alignnone" width="640"] Hainanese Pork Chops + Pork Belly + Stewed Cabbage with Rice ($5)No curry, no honey! A mouthful of pork chop and rice slathered with curry is the best way to kick-start a sloppy morning!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Address: #01-253, Blk 116, Bukit Merah View, S 151116
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 10pm
Tel: 9109 6732
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Wow Wow West
Aside from generous portions at bargain prices, this Western food stall has a unique story. Ex-owner Eric is part of the Yellow Ribbon Project and he hires ex-convicts to run his stall. So yea, the food here is prepared by people with criminal records. But as the saying goes: don’t judge by a book by its cover, because the food here is fantastic.
[caption id="attachment_9294" align="alignnone" width="640"] Chicken Chop ($6)Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9289" align="alignnone" width="641"] Fish & Chips ($7)
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Wow Wow West
Address: #01-133, ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre, 6 Jalan Bukit Merah Lane 1, S 150006
Opening Hours: Tues – Sat: 10.30am – 7.30pm
Tel: 9380 8571
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Bukit Merah View Carrot Cake
Meh, what’s so special about carrot cake? Don’t they all taste the same? Well, this 60+ year old stall nestled in the heart of Bukit Merah is probably the last of its kind in Singapore that serves true blue carrot cake. What we mean is, they actually mill their own rice to make the fried radish cake we all so fondly love. That’s maybe why they taste so much better.
[caption id="attachment_9279" align="alignnone" width="643"] Black Carrot Cake ($2.50)Crazy good carrot cake at even crazier prices!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Bukit Merah View Carrot Cake
Address: #01-279, Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre, 115 Bukit Merah View, S 151115
Opening Hours: Daily: 7am – 2pm; 6pm – 1am
Tel: –
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Yan Fried Bee Hoon
Remember when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was photographed queuing for chicken wings? Yup, this is the one! Don’t be deceived by the stall’s ordinary exterior. It may seem like any other typical Nasi Lemak stall, but beneath the façade is one of the juiciest, crispiest, and finger-licking chicken wings you can find at a hawker centre. PM Lee approves!
[caption id="attachment_9277" align="alignnone" width="640"] Chicken Wings ($1.20) + Bee Hoon ($0.60)A simple meal for the complex tummy!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9285" align="alignnone" width="612"] Deep-fried Chicken Wings that will make Colonel Sanders proud!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Yan Fried Bee Hoon
Address: #01-09, Redhill Food Centre, 85 Redhill Lane, S 150085
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 3pm – 10pm
Tel: –
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Stew Küche
Pronounced Ku-Shay, not Ku-chi, this German (yes, German!!!) food joint is a Bukit Merah gem at the very hip and atas coffee-shop Salut. Served with authentic German flair, some dishes are approaching the expensive threshold. But still, it is really affordable compared to other German food joints like Brotzeit.
[caption id="attachment_9286" align="alignnone" width="640"] Spaghetti with Sausage ($11.50)Juicy sausage on a bed of al dente pasta – magnifique!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9293" align="alignnone" width="640"] Pork Knuckle ($15)
Well-marinated & herb-infused, a meal for champions!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Stew Küche
Address: #01-40, Salut Coffeeshop, 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1, S 151119
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 11.30am – 3pm; 5.30pm – 10pm
Tel: 6276 6445
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Keng Eng Kee Seafood
Award-winning Keng Eng Kee is a specialist seafood eatery serving local zi char dishes. Most patrons go in groups to bask in the joys of eating a cooked crustacean together. Not to worry though, they also serve meal-sized dishes such as the fan-favourite Moonlight Hor Fun (why moonlight? Check out the picture, no explanation needed!)
[caption id="attachment_9287" align="alignnone" width="635"] Moonlight Hor Fun ($8)Tip: break the yolk and fold it with the hor fun to make the dish smoother and tastier!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9288" align="alignnone" width="634"] Mingzhu Roll ($9)
Fried beancurd skin wrapped with egg, ham and mushrooms! Wew!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Keng Eng Kee Seafood
Address: #01-136, 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, S 150124
Opening Hours: Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm; 5pm – 10pm
Tel: 6272 1038
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Joe’s Kitchen
With a name like Joe, you’d probably expect the owner to be a Singaporean. But nope, Thai blood runs in his veins. So don’t worry that the food about the food being unauthentic. Here you’ll find the mandatory dishes like Green Curry, Phad Thai, Basil Leaf Pork, Tom Yum… we could go on, but we won’t because our tummies are already starting to growl.
[caption id="attachment_9280" align="alignnone" width="640"] Authentic Thai CuisineImage Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9296" align="alignnone" width="640"] Dry Curry Chicken ($10.90)
Spicy, creamy, and thick, pair it with a bowl of rice and you get a delicious meal!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Joe’s Kitchen
Address: #01-182, 125 Bukit Merah Lane 1, S 150125
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am -3pm; 5pm – 10pm
Tel: 6270 8484
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Butterscotch
Heading into café territory now, let’s begin with this Muslim-owned café. As its name suggests, the menu consists of quite a number of butterscotch-infused dishes. Together with aesthetically appealing desserts, they also serve some of the most creative halal mains you can find at the heartlands.
[caption id="attachment_9282" align="alignnone" width="640"] Chili Crab BurgerImage Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9301" align="alignnone" width="640"] Ramly Meets Wendy Burger ($14)
The popular Pasar Malam burger is given the atas treatment!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9291" align="alignnone" width="642"] Smoked Salmon on Brioche Toast with Poached Eggs
Pavlova
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Butterscotch
Address: #01-3625, 164 Bukit Merah Central, S 150164
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 10am – 10pm
Tel: 6271 1164
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The Bakery Chef
The Bakery Chef is one of the best cafes in Singapore specialising in your favorite baked goods drizzled with your favourite sauces. Making the rounds on Instagram are their picture-perfect desserts that will make you wish you could grab food out of the screen.
[caption id="attachment_9275" align="alignnone" width="646"] Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9284" align="alignnone" width="649"] Charcoal Custard Toast with Matcha Ice Cream ($12.80)Oh my goodness :O
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
The Bakery Chef
Address: #01-3711, 161 Bukit Merah Central, S 150161
Opening Hours:
Tues – Thurs: 10am – 7pm
Fri – Mon: 10am – 9pm
Tel: 6273 9211
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Pan Delights
The décor is clean, simple, and white. There are beautifully drawn pictures on the wall. That’s Pan Delights for you, a café that serves quality food at reasonably wallet-friendly prices. On weekdays, you can indulge in the pleasure of pasta sets at $12. For food that yummy, it’s daylight robbery!
[caption id="attachment_9278" align="alignnone" width="646"] Feeling Like Crispy Chicken ($14.50)Yep, we definitely feel it too!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9283" align="alignnone" width="645"] Squid Ink Pasta & Prawns
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9281" align="alignnone" width="640"] Pan’s Salmon
A hint of sweet and sour!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Pan Delights
Address: #01-3725, 161 Bukit Merah Central, Bukit Merah Estate, S 150161
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.30am – 3.30pm; 5.30pm – 9pm
Tel: 6377 4009
Bukit Merah is the undervalued neighbourhood with food so good, even PM Lee approves. Teeming with delicious hawker and cafe favourites, you’ll certainly regret not visiting and trying the food here. If this is already your go-to place for good food, did we miss out anything? Let us know!
Also read: Beerfest Asia 2016 – Bottoms Up To Your Favourite Beers & More!
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!
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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.
[caption id="attachment_8946" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8947" align="alignnone" width="640"] Lala Hokkien Mee ($8)Generous fresh sotongs and clams on a bed of delicious wet noodles!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Penang Seafood Restaurant
Address: 76 Lorong 25A Geylang, S 388258
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am – 12mn
Tel: 6841 3002
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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.
[caption id="attachment_8949" align="alignnone" width="640"] Claypot Rice ($13, good for 2 pax)Tender chicken with a good amount of Chinese sausage, salted fish and veggies. Is this the pot of gold we’ve been searching for?
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8948" align="alignnone" width="640"] Pork Ribs
Tender meat with a rich batter – a good option for sharing!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Geylang Claypot Rice
Address: No. 639, Lorong 33 Geylang, S 389570
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 12am
Tel: 6744 4574
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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!
[caption id="attachment_8966" align="alignnone" width="640"] Fish Soup ($6)A simple dish with complex flavours!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
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
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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.
[caption id="attachment_8964" align="alignnone" width="640"] Pork Ban Mian ($3.50)Dry?
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8963" align="alignnone" width="640"] Pork Ban Mian (Soup) ($3.50)
Or soup? That is the question.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
L32 Kopitiam Ban Mian
Address: 558 Geylang Road, S 389509
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 11am – 9pm
Tel: 9770 2829
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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.
[caption id="attachment_8944" align="alignnone" width="640"] Siew Mai ($3.20)Siew Mai is love. Siew Mai is life.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8956" align="alignnone" width="640"] Carrot Cake ($4)
What’s a dim sum without carrot cake? 126’s carrot cake is crispy and one of their consistently good dishes.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8968" align="alignnone" width="612"] Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
126 Dim Sum
Address: 126 Sims Avenue, S 387449
Opening Hours: Daily: 24 hours
Tel: 6746 4757
- 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.
[caption id="attachment_8959" align="alignnone" width="640"] Beef Hor Fun ($6)Generous, unnaturally tender portions of beef on a bed of soft kway teow with legendary gravy.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Must try: Beef Hor Fun ($6)
[caption id="attachment_8955" align="alignnone" width="640"] Seafood Hor FunImage Credit: burpple[/caption]
Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow
Address: 237 Geylang Lorong 9, S 388756
Opening Hours: Daily: 4.30pm – 2.30am
Tel: 9388 0723
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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.
[caption id="attachment_8952" align="alignnone" width="640"] Fish & Chips Set ($8.90, lunch only)No description needed. You can never go wrong with fish & chips!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8953" align="alignnone" width="639"] Grilled Chicken Set ($8.90, lunch only)
No description needed again. Has anyone never tried a chicken chop? Seriously.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
The Ranch Cafe
Address: 71 Lorong 27 Geylang, S 388198
Opening Hours: Daily: 11.30am – 11pm
Tel: 6747 0788
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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.
[caption id="attachment_8958" align="alignnone" width="640"] Beef PhoImage Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8950" align="alignnone" width="640"] Lemongrass Chicken Rice
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8943" align="alignnone" width="640"] Beef Combo Pho ($7.50)
Looking at beef slices swimming joyfully with beef balls before putting them in your mouth makes for a satisfying hearty meal!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
Little Vietnam Café
Address: #01-25, Grandlink Square, 511 Guillemard Road, S 399849
Opening Hours: Daily: 5pm – 3am
Tel: 6547 8587
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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.
[caption id="attachment_8945" align="alignnone" width="630"] Smoked Salmon and Avocado on BriocheA real handful to say but damn, it’s good!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8951" align="alignnone" width="630"] Oven Baked Molten Eggs ($12.90)
A melody of flavours – 2 half boiled eggs and an overwhelming yet satisfying amount of melted cheese atop a thin pizza crust.
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
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
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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.
[caption id="attachment_8960" align="alignnone" width="640"] Sushi Veg Wrap Roll ($4)So pretty!
Image Credit: burpple[/caption]
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