With inflation on the rise, many are finding it harder to afford meals in the CBD area. Eating out doesn’t have to break the bank, though. There are still plenty of affordable options if you know where to look.
Consider hawker centres like Lau Pa Sat or Amoy Street Food Centre, where you can find hearty dishes such as chicken rice or noodle soup for under $6. Bento sets at Japanese takeaway stalls often offer good value and variety. Look out for lunch specials at cafes and smaller restaurants, which can help you save a few dollars.
Convenience stores also stock ready-to-eat meals and sandwiches at wallet-friendly prices. Sharing larger portions with friends is another way to cut costs while enjoying more variety. Finally, check food delivery apps for daily deals or discounts exclusive to the CBD area.
With a little planning, eating well on a budget is still possible despite inflation.
1. A Noodle Story
Eatery Type: Ramen stall
Ambience: Busy hawker center setting, casual dining atmosphere with long queues during peak hours, communal seating typical of food centers, no-frills environment focused on the food experience
Location: Amoy Street Food Centre
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre #01-39, Singapore 069111
Dishes:
- Singapore-style ramen (signature dish)
- Wanton noodles fusion
- Onsen egg (add-on for $1.20)
- Additional braised char siu (add-on)
- Extra HK-style wantons (add-on)
- Side of wanton soup
Ingredients:
- Hong Kong noodles (thin, springy)
- Handmade wantons with freshly minced pork
- Wantons filled with prawns and crushed dried flatfish
- Large chunks of bouncy prawns
- Potato-wrapped prawns (tempura-like)
- Fragrant sesame oil
- Light hint of ginger juice
- Ramen chashu (Japanese pork cooked sous vide for 36 hours)
- Superior soy sauce
- Soy-flavoured hot spring egg
- Freshly sliced scallions
- Red pepper
- Ngoh hiang (five-spice roll)
Cooking Instructions:
- Wantons handmade daily with fresh ingredients
- Pork belly cooked using sous vide machine for 36 hours
- Infused with superior soy sauce for silky texture
- Fried minced meatball preparation (shrimp and pork combination)
- Potato wrapping technique for prawns
- Hot spring egg preparation method
Recipe Components:
- Base: Thin springy wanton noodles in signature sauce
- Protein: Tender cha-su, HK-style wontons, potato-wrapped prawn
- Garnish: Soy-flavoured hot spring egg, freshly sliced scallions, red pepper
- Assembly: All components sit neatly on top of noodles
Dish Features:
- Fusion of Japanese ramen with local wanton noodles
- Quality ingredients focus
- Unique sauce pairing
Specialty Dishes:
- Singapore-style ramen (signature)
Price: From $9
Delivery Options: Not specified
Social Media: @anoodlestory (Instagram)
Awards: Michelin Bib Gourmand
2. Han Kee Fish Soup
Eatery Type: Fish soup stall
Ambience: Bustling hawker center atmosphere with consistent long lunch queues stretching beyond the stall, reputation for stern service from the aunty owner, communal dining environment with plastic chairs and tables, focus on quick service and traditional hawker experience, no-frills setting where food quality speaks for itself
Location: Amoy Street Food Centre
Address: Amoy Street Food Centre #02-129, Singapore 069111
Dishes:
- Fish soup (main offering)
- Rice or noodles options
- Additional fish portions available
- Fish soup with different noodle varieties (mee hoon, yellow noodles, kway teow)
- Large portion and regular portion options
Ingredients:
- Fresh thick-cut Batang fish (Spanish Mackerel) slices that are firm, plump and tender
- Clear fish stock
- White pepper
- Ginger
- Light soy sauce
- Green vegetables (typically bok choy or lettuce)
- Tomatoes (optional)
- Fresh fish bones for stock preparation
Cooking Instructions:
- Fish stock preparation using fresh fish bones for depth of flavor
- Keeps broth light and clear through careful heat control and skimming
- Batang fish prepared to be firmer, chunkier and sweeter than typical fish soup
- Flash-cooking of fish slices to maintain texture and prevent overcooking
- Allows natural fish flavor to permeate without overpowering seasonings
Recipe Components:
- Base: Light, clear fish broth with natural sweetness
- Protein: Generous portions of thick-cut Spanish Mackerel that fills the bowl to the brim
- Seasoning: Minimal approach – white pepper, light soy, fresh ginger
- Vegetables: Fresh greens added for color, nutrition and texture contrast
- Serving: Accompanied by rice or choice of noodles with customizable portions
- Quality: Fish so fresh it tastes like it might have just swum in from Tekka Market
Dish Features:
- Simple yet flavorful
- Natural sweetness from fish
- No strong fish smell
- Light and clear broth
Specialty Dishes:
- Fish soup (main offering)
Price: From $5
Delivery Options: Not specified
Social Media: Not mentioned
3. WANTON: Seng’s Noodle Bar
Eatery Type: Noodle bar/restaurant
Ambience: Modern artisanal dining space with cocktail bar atmosphere, elevated from traditional hawker experience, contemporary interior design, suitable for both casual meals and drinks, evening transformation into cocktail-focused venue
Location: Amoy Street
Address: 52 Amoy Street
Dishes:
- Artisanal wanton noodles (signature)
- Soft boiled eggs (add-on)
- Double roasted pork belly (sharing plate)
- Sichuan wantons (sharing plate)
- Traditional wanton noodles variations
- Seasonal specials
Ingredients:
- Traditional wanton noodle ingredients
- Fresh pork belly
- Sichuan peppercorns and chili oil
- Premium soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Fresh egg noodles
- Minced pork and shrimp for wontons
- Special house sauce blend
Cooking Instructions:
- Artisanal preparation methods with modern techniques
- Double roasting technique for pork belly (first roast, then second roast for crispiness)
- Sichuan-style preparation with authentic spice blends
- Handmade noodle and wonton preparation
- Soft-boiled egg technique for perfect consistency
Recipe Components:
- Noodles: Fresh egg noodles in house special sauce
- Wontons: Handmade with pork and shrimp filling
- Pork Belly: Double-roasted for optimal texture
- Sichuan Elements: Authentic spice preparations
- Plating: Modern presentation style
Dish Features:
- Artisanal spin on local favorite
- Customizable add-ons
- Sharing plate options
- Cocktail pairings available
Specialty Dishes:
- Artisanal wanton noodles
- Double roasted pork belly
- Sichuan wantons
Beverages:
- Ju Hua (chrysanthemum tea with vodka)
- Hendricks Gin & Tonic
Price: From $8
Delivery Options: Not specified
Heritage: Operating since 1968 (original Seng’s Wanton Mee)
4. PIPES by HATTENDO
Eatery Type: Japanese cafe/restaurant
Ambience: Upscale Japanese cafe with modern industrial design featuring roasting gallery, transforms from daytime coffee-focused atmosphere to sophisticated evening dining with premium alcohol service, clean minimalist aesthetic with coffee brewing equipment visible, warm lighting for evening ambiance
Location: Tanjong Pagar Centre
Address: 331 New Bridge Road #01-02, Dorsett Residences, Singapore 088764
Dishes:
- Cream buns (signature heritage item)
- Hiroshima Oysters
- Japanese-inspired mains
- Seasonal special dishes
- Coffee-based desserts
- Premium evening tasting menu items
- Japanese confectionery selection
Ingredients:
- Japanese flour for cream buns
- Fresh Hiroshima oysters
- Premium alcohol for evening dishes
- Specialty coffee beans (multiple origins)
- Japanese dairy products
- Seasonal Japanese ingredients
- Traditional confectionery ingredients
Cooking Instructions:
- Traditional Japanese confectionery techniques dating back to 1933
- On-spot coffee roasting to customer’s desired degree
- Oyster preparation methods (steaming, grilling, raw)
- Cream bun production using authentic techniques
- Alcohol pairing preparations for evening service
Recipe Components:
- Cream Buns: Traditional Japanese technique with fluffy exterior and cream filling
- Coffee: Custom roasting profiles for different bean origins
- Oysters: Multiple preparation styles showcasing natural flavor
- Evening Dishes: Premium ingredients with Japanese cooking methods
- Confectionery: Heritage recipes from Mihara, Japan
Dish Features:
- Japanese confectionery heritage
- Fresh roasted coffee
- Premium alcohol pairings for evening
- Customizable coffee roasting
Specialty Dishes:
- Cream buns (signature)
- Hiroshima Oysters
- Specialty coffee
Price: À la carte items vary
Delivery Options: Not specified
Social Media: @hattendo_singapore (Instagram)
Heritage: Established 1933 in Mihara, Japan
5. Ducatus Cafe
Eatery Type: Modern cafe
Ambience: Tech-forward contemporary cafe with digital payment integration including Bitcoin ATM, modern minimalist design with cryptocurrency displays, Instagram-worthy interior with unique decor elements, casual workspace-friendly environment during day, trendy social media hotspot atmosphere, fusion of local kopitiam culture with Western cafe aesthetics
Location: Robinson Road
Address: 138 Robinson Road #01-01, Oxley Tower, Singapore 068901
Dishes:
- Gourmet salads (various combinations)
- Artisanal wraps
- Specialty pastries
- Creative beverage menu combining local kopis/tehs with Western lattes
- Breakfast bowls
- Ondeh-ondeh inspired churros with pandan flavor
- Popcorn-flavored specialties including Popcorn Latte
- Mini chocolate donut toppings
Ingredients:
- Popcorn syrup with nutty fragrance
- Ondeh-ondeh (pandan leaves, fresh coconut, gula melaka)
- Salted caramel
- Fresh bananas
- Lychee fruit
- Rose petals for tea
- Fresh greens for salads
- Artisanal bread
- Premium coffee beans
- Churros dough
- Cinnamon sugar
- Gula melaka for local touch
- Local kopi powder
- Condensed milk for traditional drinks
Cooking Instructions:
- Popcorn syrup preparation for coffee infusion with nutty flavor profile
- Ondeh-ondeh churros preparation: pandan flavor infusion, crispy exterior with moist chewy interior
- Churros dusting technique with cinnamon sugar and gula melaka drizzle
- Ice-blending methods for specialty shakes
- Rose tea brewing techniques with floral extraction
- Creative fusion cooking methods blending local and Western techniques
- Lychee extraction and infusion for beverages
- Traditional kopitiam brewing methods adapted for modern equipment
Recipe Components:
- Popcorn Latte: Popcorn syrup infusion with espresso and steamed milk, crowned with mini chocolate donut
- Ondeh-Ondeh Churros: Traditional churros with mellow pandan taste, cinnamon sugar, and gooey gula melaka
- Hoplite: Salted caramel banana ice blend with smooth texture
- Provocator: Lychee-rose tea combination with floral notes
- Local Fusion: Kopi C Zero with added popcorn syrup shot
- Salads: Fresh seasonal ingredients with house dressings
Dish Features:
- Cryptocurrency payment acceptance (first in Singapore)
- Multiple cashless options
- Unique flavor combinations
- Creative beverage menu
Specialty Dishes:
- Popcorn Latte
- Ondeh-Ondeh Churros
- Hoplite (salted caramel banana ice blend)
- Provocator (lychee rose tea)
Price: From $5
Delivery Options: Not specified
Social Media: @ducatuscafe (Instagram)
Innovation: First Singapore cafe accepting cryptocurrency
6. DOCO Donburi
Eatery Type: Korean-inspired rice bowl kiosk
Ambience: Modern fast-casual kiosk setting with Korean-Japanese fusion design elements, grab-and-go convenience store atmosphere, contemporary counter service with visible food preparation, efficient ordering system for busy office workers
Location: International Plaza
Address: 10 Anson Road #01-16, International Plaza, Singapore 079903
Dishes:
- Korean donburi bowls (signature)
- Korean soup & stew selections
- Fish skin snacks
- Rice bowl variations
- Korean-style banchan (side dishes)
- Fusion Korean-Japanese combinations
Ingredients:
- Premium grilled beef (marinated Korean-style)
- Crispy fish skin (house-made)
- Onsen eggs
- Japanese short-grain rice
- Korean gochujang sauce
- Coconut milk
- Fresh yuzu
- Grapefruit juice
- Korean vegetables (kimchi, pickled radish)
- Sesame oil and seeds
- Nori seaweed
Cooking Instructions:
- Korean beef marinade technique (soy, garlic, pear, sesame)
- Fish skin crisping method (double-frying for crunch)
- Onsen egg preparation (precise temperature control)
- Korean soup base preparation
- Rice cooking technique for perfect texture
- Shake preparation methods for beverages
Recipe Components:
- Sh-nack Don: Grilled marinated beef, crispy fish skin, onsen egg over seasoned rice
- Korean Soup: Traditional Korean soup base with vegetables and protein
- Fish Skin: Double-fried for maximum crunchiness with seasoning
- Beverages: Fresh fruit shake combinations
- Assembly: Bowl construction with proper layering technique
Dish Features:
- Take-n-go convenience
- Generous portions
- Korean-Japanese fusion
- Creative shake combinations
Specialty Dishes:
- Sh-nack Don (grilled beef, crispy fish skin, onsen egg)
- Korean Soup & Stew
- Fish Skin snacks
Beverages:
- Coconut Shake
- Yuzu Shake
- Jolly Shake (grapefruit)
Price: À la carte items vary
Delivery Options: Not specified
Social Media: @docosg (Instagram)
Delivery Options Analysis
Available on GrabFood: Shi Li Fang, City Hot Pot, Ting Yuan Hotpot, Dookki, GoroGoro, Pot Addiction, Suki-Ya, Shabu Sai, House of Steamboat
Specialised Delivery: Hot Pot Belly (delivery-focused), Beauty in the Pot (Paradise Group)
Minimum Orders: Usually $60+ for free delivery
Key Features Comparison
- Free Ice Cream: 8 out of 10 central locations
- 24-Hour Service: Feng Sheng Kampong only
- Individual Stations: Good Combo, La Jiang Shan
- Photo Opportunities: Hao Lai Wu (traditional costumes)
- Membership Benefits: Wu Wang Guo ($34 birthday discount)
- Live Seafood: 777 BBQ, Wu Wang Guo
- Handmade Specialties: Guo Fu (xiao long bao), Wu Wang Guo (seaweed beancurd rolls)
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