Singapore’s Chinatown is lined with a number of rows of heritage shophouses which are wealthy in historical past. From trendy eateries and eating places which are stretched alongside Keong Saik Road to hip bars positioned at Club Street, Chinatown is a one-stop vacation spot with tons to eat, see and do.
Did you realize that it’s the solely Chinatown on this planet that boasts a Buddhist temple, a Hindu Temple, and a mosque alongside a single avenue? How cool is that?
I’ve compiled a meals information with the 15 finest meals spots in Chinatown to take a look at whereas exploring its heritage streets, which embody an excellent mixture of native eateries, cafes, and eating places— you possibly can thank me later!
1. The Populus
Located alongside Neil Road, The Populus serves an intensive unfold of contemporary dishes that’s influenced by flavours from all around the globe. Their seasonal specialty coffees are from their Roastery they usually even have beautiful teas and artisanal scorching chocolate.
When you’re there, be sure you order the Spring Pancake & Fried Chicken (S$24)— my private favorite! The skinny pancake is crammed with spring onions and corn and is topped with a fried rooster thigh fillet. A decadent home particular ranch dressing is then drizzled on prime of it.
Have the luxurious Populus All Day Big Breakky (S$28) which comes with a potato rosti topped with two poached eggs and aerated hollandaise sauce. It’s paired with blended mushrooms, seasonal greens, selfmade baked beans, and a alternative of rooster harissa sausage or Norwegian smoked salmon.
For dessert, indulge within the Lemon & White Chocolate Sundae (S$15) and add on a Buttermilk Waffle (S$6) for further shiok-ness.
146 Neil Road, Singapore 088875
Sun to Thu: 9am – 6.30pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 9.30pm
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2. Thirty Six Brewlab & Smokehouse
Thirty Six Brewlab & Smokehouse lies alongside Club Street and is housed inside a heritage constructing. The gastropub has an outside beer terrace and 25 faucets pouring a variety of the freshest craft beers.
Their open flame-inspired menu reinvents pub classics and illustrates dishes with daring flavours. Start off your meal with their assortment of small bites, comparable to Homemade Corn Dog (S$14) and Scotch Egg (S$15) (made from pork sausage meat, nduja and home sriracha mayo).
Then tuck into their scrumptious mains just like the vegetarian Woodfired Cauliflower (S$30) that includes a turmeric-honey rubbed cauliflower with chilli and cashew nut butter, served with a aspect of cauliflower rice, miso puree and kale.
If you’re visiting with a gaggle of associates, they’ve a number of sharing platters on the menu such because the Cheese Platter (S$63 for 3 pax) that you need to take pleasure in.
36 Club Street, Singapore 069469
Daily: 11.30am – 12am
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3. Chinatown Complex Food Centre
One of the most important hawker centres in Singapore with over 260 stalls, Chinatown Complex Food Centre is a one-stop vacation spot providing an eclectic mixture of hawker meals. From conventional classics to Michelin-starred stalls, this large labyrinth has (virtually) all the pieces you possibly can consider.
Check out Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken (#02-189), whose proprietor is famend to be the well-known Hawker Chan‘s instructor. The stall is known for its Soya Sauce Chicken Rice (S$4) and Signature Braised Beancurd (S$1.60).
If you’re keen on hor enjoyable, you need to positively take a look at Poh Preserved Veg Hor Fun (#02-011). The Preserved Veg Hor Fun (S$6) has tons of wok hei and the hor enjoyable is hid by a layer of charred egg on prime, and is served with prawns and chai poh.
46 Smith Street, Singapore 058956
Daily: 8am – 9pm
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4. Nic & Tom Eatery
Formerly positioned at Serangoon Gardens, Nic & Tom Eatery moved to Sago Street in Jul 2022.
Indulge of their signature cheese bee hoon collection, the place cheddar cheese is infused to create a wealthy and viscous sauce. Give the Seafood Cheese Beehoon (S$9.90) and Abalone Cheese Beehoon (S$15.90) a go.
Another must-try is the Tuckshop Rice (S$1.90). It’s a bowl of fragrant rice dressed with particular sauce and spices, served with crispy fried pork, and topped with a sunny-side up.
A few new additions to their menu embody the Arabic Dancing Prawns (S$8.90) and Swirly Intestine (S$9). The former dish options recent and juicy Saudi Arabia prawns served with a selfmade wasabi dip whereas the latter presents hand-folded braised intestines executed utilizing their secret recipe.
6 Sago Street, Singapore 059011
+65 6789 9696
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
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5. Xiao Ya Tou
Brought to you by the oldsters behind Symmetry, Xiao Ya Tou is a contemporary fusion restaurant and bar that’s tucked away in Duxton Hill. Known for his or her plethora of brunch choices, they’ve remodeled Western cafe staples into quirky dishes with an Asian twist.
Expect to search out native favorite dishes zhuzhed up in attention-grabbing methods like Puff Beancurd Pockets (S$18), that are filled with charred eggplant, chickpeas, lime, onions, chilli, jalapeno and herbs.
There’s additionally Crispy Otak-Otak Rolls (S$15) that are formed like mini spring rolls, and served with white achar and tamarind peanut sauce— sounds so yummy!
For location, contact quantity and opening hours, refer right here.
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6. iKO Restaurant & Bar
iKO Restaurant & Bar is a modern-Japanese restaurant located alongside Neil Road with iKO which means “Let’s go and have a bite”. The inside of the place is adorned with avenue murals, graffiti and faceless geishas, making this place look very artsy and funky.
The meals showcases a collaboration between Japanese and European produce ready with completely different cooking methods, priding themselves as being a contact extra distinctive than different institutions.
True to that testomony, their choices of bar snacks are particular certainly! The signature Tempura Jalapeno (S$9) is served with kombu cream cheese and bitter cream powder. For one thing wholesome, strive the Charred Edamame (S$14) which comes with wasabi powder, wasabi roe and oyster leaf.
If you take pleasure in sashimi, you’ve bought to strive the Hay Smoked Hamachi (S$24). The dish is a superb starter which has smoked hamachi drizzled with punchy ponzu brown butter, scallion garlic oil, compressed inexperienced grapes and a trio of sesame seeds for a satisfying nutty flavour.
For location, contact quantity and opening hours, refer right here.
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7. Yum Cha Chinatown
Yum Cha Chinatown goals to carry again the dim sum teahouse expertise in a shophouse setting, with marble tables and picket chairs for a nostalgic atmosphere. They are well-known for his or her giant number of dim sum.
The menu ranges from basic dishes comparable to BBQ Pork Pau (S$4 for two) and Fish Roe Siew Mai (S$5.20 for 3) to trendy ones like Pan Fried Impossible Pork Puff (S$7.80 for two) and Prawn & Mango Sesame Fritters (S$5.60 for 3).
Popular native delicacies and seafood delights have additionally been added to their meals choices. Relish in conventional favourites comparable to Half Peking Duck (S$38) and Salted Egg Prawns (S$32).
20 Trengganu Street, #02-01, Singapore 058479
+65 6372 1717
Tue to Fri: 10.30am – 9pm
Sat to Mon: 9am – 9pm
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8. Lime House Keong Saik
Lime House Keong Saik sits inside a 4-storey heritage shophouse in Chinatown’s Jiak Chuan Road. It opened its doorways again in 2013 with the intent of introducing Caribbean delicacies with an Asian aptitude along with an intensive rum assortment.
Its all-day menu presents a collection of tapas like Pan-Caribbean Mac Balls (S$8), that includes 3 selfmade macaroni & cheese balls coated in breadcrumbs, served with tomato dipping sauce.
Seafood fanatics can go for the Pan-Caribbean Spicy Shrimp (S$18). It comes with yummy pan-seared recent prawns with habanero, topped off with heat salsa, and made to sit down on a plantain coracle.
2 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089260
+65 6222 3130
For opening hours, refer right here.
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9. Utu
The proprietor of UTU, Mr Kurt Wagner, had spent most of his time in his youthful days residing in numerous African nations. Earning the fame of being Singapore’s authentic African cafe, their imaginative and prescient is to make each buyer really feel like they’re in their very own dwelling.
This pretty area in Chinatown has a complete of three storeys, and every flooring is hand made with African motifs and detailing.
Indulge of their unique selections of mains comparable to Goat Curry (S$31), which has recent goat meat simmered in home curry paste, habanero and is served with coconut rice. You also can have a go on the Fried Plantain (S$17) which is ripe plantain marinated in Liberian dried spices, served with mango chilli marmalade.
The menu additionally options numerous brunch objects and pastries. You’ll be excited to study you can sit back with their specialty grade single-origin coffees sourced from sustainable farms in Uganda, Brazil and Mexico.
12 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089265
+65 6996 3937
Wed to Fri: 10am – 5pm & 6pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm & 6pm – 11pm
Closed on Mon & Tue
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10. Potato Head Singapore
Potato head Singapore at Keong Saik Road has a eating corridor, a cocktail place and a tropical rooftop bar all stretched out amongst 4 ranges— definitely a multi-concept eating hotspot!
The eating corridor showcases dishes which are derived from all around the globe. The Indonesian Beef Sate (S$15 for six sticks) provides you pretty char-grilled beef skewers served with kicap manis, crimson chilli, heritage tomato and fried shallots.
Their intensive assortment of Three Buns Burgers makes use of solely the very best quality components, bespoke artisan buns and selfmade slow-cooked sauces. Tuck into the Honky Tong (S$19) which sandwiches a buttermilk free-range fried Sakura rooster, coleslaw, lettuce, pickles, scorching sauce, and miso mayonnaise between a toasted baked rice bun.
Dear vegetarians, you’re not forgotten. The Impossible Inferno (S$24) showcases an Impossible meat patty, double ketchup, double Tillamook cheddar cheese, inferno sauce, cucumber and jalapeno pickles stuffed between a toasted demi brioche bun.
36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143
Daily: 12pm – 12am
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11. Tong Ah Eating House
Tong Ah Eating House has an extended historical past in Chinatown. The conventional kopitiam used to occupy the long-lasting crimson and white constructing subsequent door which at the moment homes Potato Head Singapore.
The look of the place could also be easy and nothing fancy, however don’t choose too shortly. They are well-known not just for their collection of zi char dishes, but in addition for his or her old-school breakfast choices.
Head on down for a quintessential native breakfast, the place you will get your arms on the Traditional Kaya Toast (S$2.20), French Toast with Kaya (S$4) or Steamed Bread with Kaya (S$2.20). The breads are grilled over charcoal to provide them that particular smoky aroma.
Wash all of it down with an fragrant cup of Kopi-O (S$1.60) or Kopi (S$1.70) and add some butter for an additional clean cup of Joe.
35 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089142
+65 6223 5083
Thu to Tue: 7am – 10pm
Wed: 7am – 2pm
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12. May Pho Culture
May Pho Culture is positioned at Fook Hai Building, a quiet business constructing nestled on the nook of Upper Hokien Street and South Bridge Road. This Vietnamese eatery has a brilliant and cosy eating area with intoxicating smells of pho broth and freshly brewed Vietnamese espresso.
The Beef Tenderloin Pho (S$17.90) is the costliest merchandise on the menu. The juicy and tender items of beef is soaked in a sturdy and flavourful broth which has a great deal of mint and Thai basil infusions.
You’ve additionally bought to strive the Fresh Spring Rolls (S$9.90) that are splendidly mild and crunchy, with an excellent quantity of non-vegetable components inside, comparable to pork slices, shrimp and rice noodles.
If you’re a bona fide espresso addict, end off your meal with a cup of Vietnamese Iced Coffee (S$3.80). It has an ideal steadiness between sweetness and the roastedness of the espresso beans.
150 South Bridge Road, Fook Hai Building, #01-16, Singapore 058727
+65 9646 2589
Wed to Mon: 11.30am – 9pm
Closed on Tue
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13. Dong Bei Ren Jia
If you’re a fan of Chinese regional meals, Dong Bei Ren Jia in Chinatown specialises in North-Eastern Chinese delicacies with an intensive menu choice. The pricing is inexpensive and in addition caters to patrons who eat non-spicy meals.
To begin off your meal, stay up for round 18 completely different sorts of chilly appetisers so that you can take your decide from. My private favourites are the Preserved Egg with Tofu (S$8), Garlic Cucumber (S$6) and Sliced Pork with Garlic Paste (S$10).
For your fundamental meal, get the Sauteed Hot And Sour Shredded Potato With Green Pepper (S$8) which has crunchy strips of spicy and tangy potato. The Stir Fried Shredded Pork With Soy Paste (S$12) comes with sheets of bean curd pores and skin so that you can wrap your shreds of pork along with cucumber strips— similar to Peking duck!
If you’re visiting in a giant group, share the Spicy Grilled Fish (S$38) or Steamed Fish (S$34). These are positively the prime dishes to be savoured with household and associates.
22 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058334
+65 6224 5258
Daily: 11am – 11pm
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14. Grids Coffee & Bar
Grids Coffee & Bar is ready in a charming 3-storey heritage shophouse alongside South Bridge Road. Coffee bistro by day and gastrobar by night time, its menu incorporates a Japanese-centric theme in a few of its dishes.
From 9am to 4pm, count on to see all-day breakfast objects like Avocado Toast (S$18) and Grids Big Breakfast (S$22) (which is a beautiful mixture of Arabiki sausage, crispy bacon, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, grilled grapes, cherry tomatoes, greens and sourdough bread). They even have 8 completely different sorts of sandos utilizing Japanese milk bread, with quirky names like Feelin’ Plucky (S$15) and Sitting Duck (S$16).
When the solar goes down from 5pm to 11pm, they serve mains like Off-Grids Steak (S$24). It incorporates a 200g meltique striploin with caramelised Onion, togarashi mustard, fried garlic and greens. If you’re on the lookout for one thing to munch on whereas sipping in your drinks, their small plates like Fried Shisamo (S$12) and Yuzu Wings (S$14) will do the trick.
200 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058749
+65 9665 4398
Mon & Sun: 9am – 6pm
Wed to Sat: 9am – 12am
Closed on Tue
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15. People’s Park Food Centre
People’s Park Food Centre is positioned on the coronary heart of Chinatown near People’s Park Complex and OG People’s Park. It homes about 85 meals stalls which supply largely native and mainland Chinese delicacies.
One of my go-to stalls is Jin Feng Mei Shi 金鳯美食 (#01-1130), which sells their signature Xiao Long Bao (S$4.50), Fried Dumplings (S$5 for small, S$8 for giant) and Fried Beancurd Roll (S$4.50).
If you’re a die-hard spice fanatic, you have to take a look at Ri Ri Hong Mala Hot Pot (#01-1036) The stall sees fixed lengthy queues and serves up scrumptious plates of stir-fried spicy mala. Make your choice over their plethora of components which incorporates greens, meat, and seafood.
32 New Market Road, Singapore 050032
+65 6225 5632
Daily: 9am – 9pm
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