7 Best Eats You Must Try Along Tanjong Katong For That Great Meal

The Tanjong Katong neighbourhood is one with cafes and eateries spouting out relatively fast. Coupled with old school eateries and stalls, it’s an eclectic neighbourhood with a wide range of food options.

With its large residential crowd and people flocking from all parts of Singapore, it is undoubtedly a prime spot for cafe owners and eateries.

Well, the East has practically everything for food! Yes, we East siders do take our food very seriously. Do join us for a gastronomic tour down Tanjong Katong Road as bring you 7 best cheap eats all under $15.

1. Punggol Nasi Lemak

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Don’t be fooled by its name. Although this stall is named Punggol Nasi Lemak, it is located along Tanjong Katong Road. Though it is priced slightly highly than your usual plate of Nasi Lemak, you get to choose from a wide array of dishes.

What we recommend – their crispy chicken wings fried to perfection, crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside; and their spicy Otah. Their French Beans fried with dried shrimps is also one of our must haves. For any Nasi Lemak dish, the sambal chilli is the most important condiment and we must say it is on point.

The queue starts as early as 6pm. Fret not, as their staff work quickly and it won’t take too long before it’s your turn (about 15 minutes). Each plate will cost from about $5 to $7 depending on what dishes you pick. Overall, its fried chicken wings and otahs undoubtedly win our hearts.

Punggol Nasi Lemak 
Address: 238 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore 437026
Tel:
65 6287 0020
Opening Hours: 5.30pm-2.30am, Closed on Thu

2. Eng’s Noodles House

Noddle House(image credit: wanton mee. This place has come a long way from the 1950s where it started out from a pushcart at Duku Road to a stall at Dunman Food Center and now a shophouse unit along Tanjong Katong Road.

Their noodles are custom made according to Eng’s specifications. Thicker than the usual wanton noodles, they’re springy and firm. Bottles of hot chilli sauce are also provided at each table. Their wontons, though smaller in size, are seriously addictive. Priced at $4.50 for a small bowl of wanton mee and $5.50 for a large one.

Tip: Order an extra plate of wonton (we prefer the non-fried version), you won’t regret it!

Eng’s Noodles House
Address: 287 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore 437070
Tel:
8688 2727
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-9pm

3. Little Ice Cream Kafe

[caption id="attachment_8419" align="alignnone" width="640"]Little Ice Cream Kafe Image credit: burpple[/caption]

Known as LICK in short, this homely ice cream palour is opened by a pair of sisters-in-law. Serving up 30 flavours ranging from the good old classics, zesty fruity flavours to local delights, this is the place to go for a late night ice cream fix!

Some of their best sellers include Gula Melaka, Sea Salt Caramel, and Mao Shan Wang. This place also makes really good crispy waffles which are fluffy and soft on the inside.

The cafe is quite small and it is difficult to get a seat on weekends as it is usually crowded. $3.30 for a single scoop, $5.30 for double scoop and approximately $10 for 2 scoops of ice cream and waffles.

Tip: Half-price for waffles every Tuesday. Free Wi-Fi available.


Address: 258 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore 437046
Tel:
65 
6440 8526
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 1pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am

4. Maekhong Thai Cuisine

[caption id="attachment_8438" align="alignnone" width="640"]Basil Seafood Fried Rice Image credit: burpple[/caption]

If you’re looking for affordable and good Thai food, check out Maekhong Thai Cuisine. With over 100 dishes on the menu, Chef Kuan and his team cook for the Singaporean’s tastebuds while retaining the authenticity of each dish.

Try their Basil Seafood Fried Rice (pictured above) at $6.80 nett. A very affordable price for big pieces of squid, sliced fish and prawns. Their Pineapple Rice ($6.80) with lap cheong (chinese port sausage) is delectable to say the least. For the sweet tooth, order their Red Ruby or Mango Sticky Rice for the perfect end to a great meal.

Maekhong Thai Cuisine
Address: 228 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437053
Tel:
65 6440 7714
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, 5-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm

5. Nan Xiang Chicken Rice

[caption id="attachment_8497" align="alignnone" width="800"]nan xiang chicken rice Image credit: yelp[/caption]

Nan Xiang Chicken Rice is the stall to visit if you are looking for some good chicken rice at Tanjong Katong. Located in a coffee shop along Tanjong Katong Road, this stall not only serves chicken rice but also the best char siew (cantonese roasted meat), roasted to perfection! Its char siew is done old school style – charred with fatty cuts. They also serve good roast duck and sio bak (crispy roast pork belly).

With quality food at affordable prices, this stall often gets crowded during meal times but it is well worth the waiting time for a good plate of chicken rice and char siew. A plate of chicken rice or char siew rice starts from $3.

Nan Xiang Chicken Rice 
Address: 271 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437054
Tel:
65 6397 6823/ 9752 3448 (Jimmy)
Opening Hours: 9.30am-10pm, Closed on Tue

6. The Laneway Market

[caption id="attachment_8489" align="alignnone" width="800"]laneway market Image credit: foodiepink[/caption]

Located at a laneway (at Boscombe Road) off the busy Tanjong Katong Road lies a cosy cafe where people come together to enjoy good food. Serving up casual breakfasts to dinner mains, with speciality coffee and in-house baked pastries to go along, this cafe presents a welcoming atmosphere for its customers.

If you’d like to enjoy a chill out evening, drop by The Laneway Market. Its coffee, tea and desserts are decent with no extra GST or service charge. The cafe also provides free Wi-Fi and iced water. You can spend almost the whole day in the comforts of the cafe catching up with friends or work.

For the coffee lovers, try their Laneway Cuppa ($6), a special blend of Sumatran and Ethiopian beans infused with a shot of coconut essence. Their Earl Grey latte ($6) and cold brewed coffee are worthy of mention too. For the mains, we recommend their Laneway Carbonara – Bacon, Chipolatas, Sous Vide Egg ($15).

Whats more – download the Hollerout app and receive 10% discount with $40 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG).

The Laneway Market
Address: 266 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437053
Tel:
65 6719 8832
Opening Hours: Wed-Sundays: 11am-930pm, Closed on Mon & Tue

7. Do.Main Bakery

Do Main(Image credit:
Address: 226 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437015
Tel:
65 6348 1406
Opening Hours: Tue-Thu 8am-9pm, Fri-Sun 8am-10.30pm

With so much good and cheap food along Tanjong Katong Road, there’s no reason to procrastinate. Head down soon to explore the place!

For those driving to Tanjong Katong, parking may be difficult to find along the main road, but there is a big public carpark if you turn into the road just beside Caltex. If you know of any other affordable must eats at Tanjong Katong, do drop us a comment and let us know!

(Header image by Instagram user @howicworld, edited by writer)

Also read: Here’s An Ingenious Way To Easily Save 10% Off Your Dining Bills

7 Best Non-Local Cuisines Under S$10 You Can Find In The CBD

If you’re working in Singapore’s CBD, you would have experienced the bittersweet feeling that floods you when lunch hour arrives. Your growling tummy has been waiting all morning for food, but you secretly crave something other than typical local dishes like hokkien mee or chicken rice – you want something different. 

Fear not, for we have collated 6 different types of cuisines in various CBD hawker centres (and a bonus Italian store at the end!) that you can try during your next lunch break. And don’t worry, they won’t burn a hole in your pocket.


1. Mamacitas @ Lau Pa Sat or Amoy Street Food Centre (Costa Rican food)

[caption id="attachment_310" align="alignnone" width="695"] Mamacitas at Lau Pa Sat. Photo Credits: Mypaper.sg[/caption] [caption id="attachment_311" align="alignnone" width="640"] Mamacitas at Lau Pat Sat. Photo Credits: Burpple[/caption]

If you’re working in the Tanjong Pagar or Raffles Place area, chances are you already know about or have tried Mamacitas. But their store is definitely unique enough to deserve another mention!

Since 2012, Costa Rican owner Ms Cindy Castro Vega has been serving up traditional Costa Rican cuisine such as beef burritos ($6.90), crispy taco bowls ($7.90, pictured), chicken fajitas ($6.80) and their signature dish, arroz con mariscos (seafood fried rice, $6.80).

And remember, all these prices include a side of rice and stewed potatoes! So trust us when we say a meal at Mamacitas is value for money.

And where else in Singapore can you get a generous topping of avocado for just $1? 😉

ADDRESS

18 Raffles Quay
Lau Pa Sat Stall 6
Singapore 048582

OPENING HOURS

11:30am – 09:00pm (Daily)


2. A Noodle Story @ Amoy Street Food Centre (Japanese/Hong Kong noodles)

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Run by 2 Shatec-trained chefs who have worked for top restaurants like Iggy’s, A Noodle Story is dedicated to serving gourmet noodles at affordable prices.

Coming in 3 different sizes ($5.50, $6.50 and $7.50), their Singapore Style Ramen is an ingenious fusion of HK style wonton noodles and Japanese ramen.

Dig into a delectable bowl of chinese egg noodles, pork cha-su, hot spring egg, HK style wontons and potato prawn fritters. And don’t slurp up the accompanying bowl of pork broth too quickly!

Whilst waiting for your order, take a peek into the kitchen: A Noodle Story uses unique cooking techniques such as an immersion circulator for precision cooking of the eggs and cha-su.

ADDRESS

Amoy Street Food Centre
7 Maxwell Road
#01-39
Singapore 069111

OPENING HOURS

11.15am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 7.30pm (Mon-Fri)
10.30am – 2.00pm (Sat)
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

 


 

3. Soi 55 @ Golden Shoe Food Centre (Thai drinks)

[caption id="attachment_313" align="alignnone" width="650"] Soi 55 @ Golden Shoe Food Centre. Photo credits: DanielFoodDiary.com[/caption] [caption id="attachment_314" align="alignnone" width="650"] Soi 55 @ Golden Shoe Food Centre. Photo credits: DanielFoodDiary.com[/caption]

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We really have to hand it to this young couple for bringing another treasured piece of Thailand’s food/drink scene to Singapore.

Soi 55 serves famous Thai drinks such as Thai Milk Tea, Thai Milk Coffee, Thai Rose Milk Tea and Thai Green Milk Tea at very affordable prices (Hot for $2.30, Cold for $2.50). They are also well-praised for taking it easy on the milk, sugar and ice, thus creating the perfect balance.

Top ups of sago, red ruby and pearls are available (50c each) to add some texture and childhood nostalgia.

ADDRESS

50 Market Street
Golden Shoe Food Centre#02-19,, Singapore 048940

OPENING HOURS

8:30am – 5:00pm (Mon-Fri)
Closed on Sat and Sun


 

4. Taqueria @ Golden Shoe Food Centre (Mexican tacos)

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="617"] Taqueria at Golden Shoe. Photo credits: Timeout Singapore[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] Taqueria at Golden Shoe. Photo credits: @kayarocks[/caption]

Cheap. Halal. Mexican. Tacos.

Need we say more? 😉

If you’re feeling peckish, opt for an individual taco – you can choose from chicken ($2.50), breaded fish ($3), prawns ($3.50) and grilled steak ($4).

Each taco come with a generous serving of pico de gallo (a Mexican topping of diced tomatoes, onions and cilantro) and are wrapped in soft tortillas that are handmade every morning with love. The considerate owners even provide plastic gloves for a hygienic eating experience.

a $12 set of all four variations is available for those looking for a complete meal. What’s more, you get free mild or hot salsa AND guacamole!

ADDRESS

50 Market Street
Golden Shoe Food Centre #03-29,
Singapore 048940

OPENING HOURS

11.30am – 2pm (Mon-Fri)
Closed on Sat and Sun


 

5. Fork N’ Fingers @ Chinatown Complex (Japanese Izakaya-style bites)

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="638"] Spicy Sesame Tofu with Spinach at Fork N’ Fingers. Photo credits: Burpple[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="638"] Japanese Oden at Fork N’ Fingers. Photo credits: Burpple[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="638"] Hae Bee Hiam Rice at Fork N’ Fingers. Photo credits: Burpple[/caption]

Located in one of Chinatown’s most famous eating hubs, Fork N’ Fingers is a  Japanese store selling izakaya-style food (that goes perfectly with #6 on this list!)

If you’re looking for something heartier, dig into a bowl of Oden – a mild japanese stew of shitake mushrooms, hard boiled egg, daikon and carrots in a dashi broth ($3). Pair this with a plate of Hae Bee Hiam Rice ($3) to meet your daily carb requirements.

Don’t forget to try the Spicy Sesame Tofu with Spinach ($2)- served cold. You’ll love this refreshing side dish that is great for Singapore’s sweltering heat.

ADDRESS
335 Smith Street
Chinatown Complex Food Centre #02-54
Singapore 050335
OPENING HOURS
12pm – 8.30pm (Tue – Sun)
Closed on Mon

6. The Good Beer Company @ Chinatown Complex (Craft beers)

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Yes, beers count as a cuisine. Especially when it comes to the huge variety of craft beers, which The Good Beer Company serves up at its humble hawker stall. With over 50 different types of beers and ciders from all over the word, you will definitely be spoilt for choice!

Unfortunately, it’s not open for lunch. But why not swing by after a hard day’s work to chill out with your colleagues?

ADDRESS

335 Smith Street
Chinatown Complex Food Centre #02-58
Singapore 050335

OPENING HOURS

6pm – 10pm (Mon-Sat)
Closed on Sun


 

 

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="710"] Ah Bong’s Italian. Photo credits: Ladyironchef[/caption]

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[BONUS]  7. Ah Bong’s Italian @ Tiong Bahru

For those who don’t mind travelling a teensy bit  further or who work in the Tiong Bahru area, you’ve surely heard of Ah Bong’s Italian. This non-pretentious and simple eatery serves up super affordable Italian fare – where else can you get Basil Pesto Pasta or Squid Ink Pasta for just $7-$10?

We can’t give you the exact items/prices because their menu changes every single day. Guess you’ll just have to head down there to check it out yourself 😉 Trust us, it is definitely worth the extra distance.

ADDRESS

56 Eng Hoon St
#01-46
Singapore 169793

OPENING HOURS

10am – 2pm (Daily)