Great food at a small price

It’s easy to find affordable and good grub in Singapore. Here’s a list of places to eat in the city if you’re on the hunt for some wallet-friendly options.

1. Lau Pa Sat

Interior of Lau Pa Sat, a food centre located in the Central Business District (Credit: Singapore Tourism Board)

Man grilling satay - skewered marinated meat - over fire, outside Lau Pa Sat (Credit: Singapore Tourism Board)

For an endless array of local food options, there’s Lau Pat Sat. Situated in the CBD (Central Business District), this huge hawker centre has gained an iconic status as one of the city’s oldest markets. Wander through the food complex and you’ll find dishes like bak chor mee (minced pork noodles), carrot cake, nasi padang (rice with side dishes), chapati (Indian flatbread), and more.

2. Everything with Fries

Having been around since 2010, Everything With Fries is consistent with their glorious comfort food offerings. Items like the Hainanese pork chop burger and the har jeong kai (fermented shrimp paste chicken) burger are big crowd favourites, and – as the brand name suggests – a side of fries comes with your mains (flavours to choose from include original, sour cream and onion, and spicy curry). Don't miss the Nutella tart dessert; this warm, gooey creation is a real treat.

3. Gyoza-ya

Chow down on all sorts of gyozas (Japanese dumplings filled with meat and vegetables) at this Japanese eatery located in the basement of Robinsons Orchard. Gyoza-ya serves up a variety of Japanese dumplings that come with different fillings, from pork to vegetable and even crab meat. If you need something more substantial to go with these delicious morsels, you can order items like a salmon donburi (rice bowl dish) or a piping hot bowl of seafood ramen.

4. I Want My Noodle

The concept behind I Want My Noodle is straightforward. These guys specialise in egg noodles (freshly made every day, mind you) that form the base of their popular creations like the My Noodle with Double Roast (the roast being char siew (barbecued pork). Other tempting plates to try include the homemade meatball soup and the flourless fried chicken wings, which is served with fiery sambal (Asian chilli paste).

5. 49 Seats

It's fusion food galore at 49 Seats, where dishes like tom yum seafood pasta, smoked duck aglio olio, and fried chicken chop stuffed with cheese take centre stage. Psst... this joint's open till the wee hours of the morning (6pm to 2am from Monday to Thursday, and 6pm to 5:30am on Fridays and Saturdays) and it's a hotspot among partygoers who frequent Zouk – one of Singapore's hottest nightclubs.

6. 5 Little Monkeys Cafe

Peranakan (Straits-Chinese) food can be quite costly in Singapore, so if you want a taste of the real thing at half the price (or less even), head to 5 Little Monkeys Cafe. This laid-back rooftop eating spot boasts menu highlights such as tender beef rendang (braised beef cooked in coconut milk and spices) and assam (tamarind) fish head curry that’s a perfect combination of sour, spicy, and umami. 

7. Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant

Lovers of Vietnamese fare, hit up Long Phung. This no-frills east-side haunt puts out authentic Vietnamese dishes such as belly-warming pho (chicken and beef are available), and sides like fried spring rolls, grilled quail, and garlic cockles. Long Phung opens till late (12 midnight) so you might want to drop by for late night supper – one that will surely hit the spot.

8. Salute Coffeeshop

Unlike other kopitiams (open-air coffee shops) you see in Singapore, Salute houses food stalls that feature an array of Western delights, all tagged at prices that won't break the bank. Instead of chicken rice and prawn noodles, here you'll find highlights like German pork knuckle from Stew Küche, duck confit from Immanuel French Kitchen, chicken wings from Two Wings, and grilled mackerel from Sea Salt.

9. The Good Beer Company

The Good Beer Company in Chinatown (Credit: Danny Santos)

There’s nothing like enjoying local food with a bottle of ice cold beer. The Good Beer Company is a craft beer and cider stall that offers over 50 more-than-reasonably priced labels for you to choose from. The selection changes often, so it’d be wise to follow them on Facebook or call ahead to check if they have your favourite tipple in stock. Pair your brew of

By Singapore Tourism Board