The Beach Road-Bugis district has always been a food lover’s paradise, and with the opening of Guoco Midtown II on Tan Quee Lan Street, the area has become even more enticing. This isn’t your typical office development with uninspired lunch spots—instead, it’s a curated collection of dinner destinations and weekend hangouts that bring something fresh to the neighborhood.
1. Pang Pang: The Crab Pot Phenomenon
The Concept: This Haiyan, Zhejiang import brings regional Chinese casseroles that feel like China’s answer to Cajun seafood broils—intensely flavored, messy in the best way, and perfect for sharing.
Star Dishes:
The Signature Crab Pot ($78+) is their crown jewel, and it’s easy to see why. Two substantial crabs arrive stir-fried in a fiery blend of spices and chili oil that coats every crevice of the shell. The beauty of this dish lies in its customization—you can transform it into a full feast by adding chicken feet ($8.80+), rice cakes ($3.80+), or prawns ($9.90+). Each add-on soaks up that gloriously spicy, aromatic sauce.
For the adventurous eater, the Chicken Feet Pot ($48+) is a crowd favorite that showcases how off-cuts can be utterly delicious when treated right. The feet are tender, gelatinous, and swimming in that same addictive sauce.
Supporting Cast:
The appetizers strike an interesting balance between traditional Sichuan flavors and fusion experimentation. The Fried Mochi Fritters ($8.80+) are an unexpected delight—crispy exteriors giving way to chewy, stretchy centers. Meanwhile, the Braised Pork Intestine Bowl ($15.80+) caters to those who appreciate robust, funky flavors.
Cooling dishes provide necessary relief: Smashed Cucumber ($3.80+) and Silken Tofu with Century Egg ($8.80+) offer refreshing counterpoints to the casseroles’ heat. Just remember—last orders are at 9:30pm, so plan accordingly.
2. Leong Kee Bak Kut Teh: Heritage Done Right
The Legacy: With over 60 years of history, Leong Kee isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—they’re perfecting it. Their third outlet at Guoco Midtown II brings that same time-tested approach to a modern setting.
The Bak Kut Teh Experience:
The Soup Bak Kut Teh (Ribs) ($11.80++) is what six hours of daily simmering looks like in a bowl. The broth is deeply herbal, rich without being heavy, and aromatic in a way that fills your senses before the first spoonful even touches your lips. Each serving comes loaded with both pork belly and ribs, giving you that satisfying mix of melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and satisfying chew.
The accompanying Braised Tau Pok ($2++) and You Tiao ($2++) aren’t afterthoughts—they’re essential vessels for that liquid gold broth, soaking it up like edible sponges.
The Dry Alternative:
For those who prefer their flavors concentrated rather than diluted in soup, the Dry Bak Kut Teh ($11.80++) delivers. The pork ribs are stir-fried with aromatics until they develop a slightly smoky glaze that clings to the meat. It’s a different beast entirely from the soup version—more intense, more caramelized, and crying out for white rice.
Wild Card:
The Frog Porridge ($19++) deserves mention as a communal dish that marries sweet, delicate frog meat with silky, comforting porridge. It’s a textural and flavor experience that feels both indulgent and homey.
Value Proposition: With most dishes under $15, Leong Kee offers remarkable value in an area where prices can quickly escalate.
3. Kong Madam: Korean Authenticity Meets Warmth
The Setting: Don’t judge this hanok-style restaurant by its unassuming exterior. Inside, you’ll find a cozy space run by native Korean staff who bring genuine authenticity to every dish.
Tofu as Art:
Kong Madam’s defining feature is their house-made soontofu, crafted fresh daily. The Plain Soontofu ($21.90++) is deceptively simple—silken tofu seasoned with 100% seawater brine that allows the natural earthiness of soya milk to shine through. It’s clean, pure, and surprisingly complex in its simplicity.
For bigger flavors, the Seafood Soontofu ($21.90++) delivers punch along with generosity—whole prawns, crab, and cubes of that same excellent house-made tofu swimming in a robust broth.
The Grill Masters:
The charcoal-grilled meats here elevate Kong Madam beyond just being “the tofu place.” The Special Sauce Charcoal Grilled LA Beef Short Ribs ($39.90++) command the highest price on this list, but they’re worth every cent. Beautifully marinated and charred, these fat-laced beauties are fall-off-the-bone tender with that distinctive smoky char that only charcoal can provide.
The Charcoal Grilled Spicy Pork Bulgogi ($29.90++) brings both heat and that same grilled complexity, while the Beef Sirloin Bulgogi ($29.90++) offers a bone-free alternative for those who want to focus purely on the meat.
Starting Strong:
The Kimchi Pancake ($27.90++) sets the tone—crispy edges, chewy center, and generously packed with prawns and squid. A pronounced bonito note ties all the seafood flavors together in a way that feels both traditional and refined.
4. The Daily Cut: Customization Made Easy
The Formula: Pick a base, choose a protein, pile on supplements, select toppings and dressing. It’s meal engineering for people who want to eat well without overthinking it.
Why It Works:
The Daily Cut has mastered the art of satisfying efficiency. Starting at just $10.50 for their Petite option, you get clear portions and protein-forward choices that deliver exactly what they promise. The quarterly menu rotation keeps regulars engaged—the Fall lineup at the Guoco Midtown II location features intriguing options like Bulgogi-Style Eggplant, Thai Basil Tofu, and Potatoes with Miso Butter.
The Appeal: This is food that makes sense for workday lunches and post-gym refueling. While staples like chicken thigh and salmon provide reliable options, those fusion-leaning seasonal picks show that The Daily Cut isn’t afraid to experiment. The Bugis location marks their first venture outside the CBD, making their build-your-own concept more accessible without the trek to Raffles Place or Tanjong Pagar.
5. 3 Coconut: Hainanese Comfort Goes Upscale
The Tradition: Coconut chicken broth hotpot has become increasingly popular in Singapore, and 3 Coconut—with over 60 outlets across China—brings their refined take on this Southwestern Chinese classic.
The Star Attraction:
The Signature Original Coconut Chicken Hotpot (from $39.80++) uses fresh Pineapple chicken, prized for its tender meat, combined with water from coconuts cracked tableside. It’s a theatrical touch that emphasizes freshness while delivering that comforting, slightly sweet broth that’s meant to alleviate “dampness” in the body according to traditional Chinese medicine. Even if you don’t subscribe to such beliefs, the broth is undeniably delicious—light yet flavorful, warming without being heavy.
The Mixed Meat & Vegetable Platter (from $18.80++) provides the perfect accompaniment—classic steamboat greens paired with marbled beef and pork slices that cook quickly in the gentle broth.
Don’t Skip:
The appetizer selection offers interesting variety: Hot & Sour Chicken Feet ($9.90++) for texture lovers, Chrysanthemum with Black Fungus ($5.80++) for something lighter, and Coconut Sago Cake ($7.80++)—Hainanese yi bua—for a sweet element.
Group Favorite:
The Claypot Rice With Cured Meat (from $18.90++) is ideal for larger tables. Crispy-bottomed rice stir-fried with cured ham and sweet Chinese sausage, finished with scallions, provides that satisfying textural contrast and savory-sweet flavor that makes everyone reach for seconds.
Current Promotion: Through October 27, 2025, enjoy 32% off from 11am-5pm and 12% off after 5pm (restrictions apply).
The Verdict
Guoco Midtown’s dining scene isn’t just about convenience—it’s about bringing quality, diversity, and genuine dining experiences to the Bugis area. From Pang Pang’s messy, flavorful crab pots to Kong Madam’s authentic Korean grilled meats, from Leong Kee’s heritage bak kut teh to 3 Coconut’s comforting hotpot, there’s something here for every craving and occasion.
The pricing spans accessible (Leong Kee, The Daily Cut) to splurge-worthy (Kong Madam’s beef ribs, Pang Pang’s crab pot), but across the board, the quality justifies the cost. Plus, with free parking on Friday evenings after 6pm and weekends (minimum $20-$50 spend), there’s added incentive to explore both Guoco Midtown locations thoroughly.
Pro tip: These aren’t just lunch spots—they’re designed for evening dining, weekend feasts, and occasions when you want the meal to be memorable, not just functional.