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Singapore Budget Food Guide

by | May 15, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Food Scene Analysis

Singapore’s budget food scene reveals several essential characteristics:

  1. Price Point Persistence: Despite inflation and rising costs, several hawker stalls maintain extremely affordable prices ($1.20-$2.50)
  2. Geographical Distribution: Budget options exist throughout Singapore (CBD, Chinatown, Bedok, Jurong East, etc.)
  3. Cultural Diversity: Affordable options span multiple cuisines (Chinese, Malay, Indian-influenced)
  4. Heritage Preservation: Many stalls have decades-long histories (some operating for 20-50+ years)
  5. Specialised Menus: Most budget stalls focus on perfecting a small selection of dishes rather than extensive menus
  6. Early Operations: Many budget stalls operate only in morning/early afternoon hours
  7. Hawker Centre Concentration: Most affordable options are found in hawker centres rather than standalone restaurants

Detailed Analysis of Budget Dishes

1. 63 Laksa

  • Location: Ghim Moh Market & Food Centre, 20 Ghim Moh Road, #01-20
  • Price: $2.50
  • Ingredients:
    • Thick rice vermicelli noodles
    • Fresh cockles
    • Sliced fish cakes
    • Coconut milk-based broth
    • Spice paste (likely containing dried shrimp, lemongrass, galangal, chilli)
  • Cooking Method: Noodles are likely blanched, then topped with rich laksa broth and garnishes
  • Budget Ingredient Source: Wet markets for vermicelli and spices; Sheng Siong/NTUC FairPrice for basics

2. Azme Corner Muslim Food – Nasi Lemak

  • Location: 122 Bedok North Street 2, #01-00
  • Price: $2.00
  • Ingredients:
    • Coconut rice
    • Ikan bilis (dried anchovies)
    • Fried egg
    • Sambal (chilli paste)
    • Cucumber slices
    • Peanuts
  • Cooking Method: Rice cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves; accompaniments prepared separately
  • Budget Ingredient Source: Geylang Serai Market for halal ingredients; Sheng Siong for basics

3. Chang Ji Gourmet – Porridge/Bee Hoon

  • Location: Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, Blk 335 Smith Street, #02-110
  • Price: $1.20
  • Ingredients:
    • Rice (for porridge)
    • Bee hoon (rice vermicelli)
    • Light seasoning
    • Likely minimal garnishes at this price point
  • Cooking Method: Rice is slow-cooked until broken down for porridge; bee hoon is soaked and fried
  • Budget Ingredient Source: Chinatown wet market for fresh ingredients; Value Dollar for dried goods

4. Frenzlink Cafeteria – Noodle Dishes