This is NOT your usual hawker fare!
There’s no better place for an affordable and satisfying meal than at our hawker centres and coffee shops. But with fewer successors taking up the reins from the chicken rice uncle and hokkien mee aunty, we worry that our well-loved hawker centres will slowly disappear.
In recent years, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the future of the hawker scene: we’re witnessing fresh entrants that offer a new variety of food but at the same affordable prices. Now, we can find British, German and fusion food in our hawker centres and coffee shops.
Here are 8 places that you should definitely check out!
1. Unkai Teppanyaki & Japanese Cuisine
Many people know about the hokkien mee and Ruji kitchen in the Old Airport Road Food Centre, but what about this gem over here? Unkai Japanese Cuisine serves a variety of seafood dishes and bento boxes, including the usual Teriyaki chicken set ($5) and Salmon fish set ($6). Their rice bowls are incredibly affordable as well, with Saba don going for $5 and Ungagi don at $8.50.
Unkai Japanese Cuisine also serves fresh seafood, such as grilled scallop ($15 for half a dozen) and premium fresh oysters ($18 for half a dozen). 5 pieces of Sake sashimi will set you back by $6, but the freshness and flavour makes it all worth it.
Address: #01-89, Old Airport Road Food Centre, 51 Old Airport Road, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 11am-10pm Daily
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2. Ham Bao Bao
Located in Beauty World, Ham Bao Bao might be familiar to some of you. But for the others, it serves hand crafted burgers at affordable prices. The classic beef burger costs $5 and for just a dollar, you can top up for hand cut fries— not the frozen kind you usually find at fast food joints.
The other 4 offerings include a spicy pulled pork burger, crispy pork belly burger, dory fish burger and last but not least, the Ayam Buah Keluak burger. Curious about the last one? It’s a Peranakan chicken stew burger topped with braised cabbage and black fungus. You’ve got to try Ham Bao Bao, after you survive the long queues, that is!
Address: Blk 144 Upper Bukit Timah, Beauty World Centre #04-49
Opening hours: 12pm onwards, Closed on Mon and Tue
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3. Lad & Dad
For most of us, British food isn’t the obvious lunch or dinner option, mainly because they’re generally pricier than the usual prawn mee or chicken rice. But at Lad & Dad, you’ll be treated to affordable British-inspired classics with a local touch. The Lancashire Hotpot sells for $12, and includes beef stew, salad, mashed potatoes and a Yorkshire pudding. That’s a pretty good deal to me!
During his study and work in London, the founder was inspired to be an entrepreneur. Together with his father’s passion for hawker food, Lad & Dad was born to serve comfort food to hungry patrons. The father and son duo also serve their dishes at events such as the SMU Samba Masala and Writer’s Festival. Lad & Dad’s British treats are also available on Uber’s food delivery.
Address: 49A Serangoon Garden Way, Serangoon Garden Market & Hawker Centre #32
Opening: 12:00 – 20:00, Closed on Mon & Tues
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4. Buta Kin
Relocated from its spot in Beauty World, Buta Kin is now at Food Loft in Bedok. Before you worry about a drop in quality, loyal patrons can assure you that Buta Kin still serves the same goodness as before. Good food and good service is the winning combination, and Buta Kin hits the nail on the head with its generous portions, flavourful broth and friendly service. For meals ranging from $3.50 to $6.90, Buta Kin sure goes easy on the wallet, and is considered a must-try for many!
Address: 217 Bedok North Street 1, #01-77
Opening hours: 11:30- 21: 00, Closed on Mon
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5. Il Piccolo
A 4-minute walk from Toa Payoh MRT station, II Piccolo is my go-to place for a quick pasta or pizza fix. Personally, I recommend the carbonara, which is creamy enough without making you feel jelak. An entire 7-inch pizza would cost around $7 while a 12-inch one would cost $12-$15. Compared to what you’ll be paying at a pizza restaurant, that’s a great deal!
Of course, the quality and taste won’t be on par with the food served in a high-end restaurant, but you’re definitely getting your money’s worth here! For the dessert-lovers out there, the panna cotta, tiramisu and chocolate mousse are pretty decent as well.
Address: 79C Toa Payoh Central, Singapore 313079
Opening hours: 8am – 9pm Daily
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6. Don 档
Looking for a satisfying Donburi (rice bowl) that won’t burn a hole in your wallet? This is it: Western-Japanese fusion Donburi at just $10.
Using the sous vide method, Don ensures that all the nutrients in their meats and fish are well captured. That also means you get to enjoy a perfectly cooked onsen egg with your rice bowls.
A Wagyu Beef Don goes for $12.90, while a Mentaiko Salmon Don is surprisingly affordable at $9.90. If you’re part of the salted egg craze, try the Salted Egg Tempura Don that will only set you back by $9.90. The offerings at Don sure go easy on your wallet — just like how hawker food should be. After all, the team at Don believes that great food doesn’t have to be pricey!
Address: 30 Foch Road #01-02, Singapore 209276
Opening: 11:00 to 21:30, Closed on Wed
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7. Otto Berlin Haus
Judging by the name, you probably think that this German place is going to be a restaurant. But surprise! You’ll find Otto Berlin Haus in a humble coffee shop setting in Lorong 8 Toa Payoh. Here, you can find cuisine like Pork Knuckle (half a portion is just $13) with a side of local achar. Customers also enjoy the braised lamb shank which goes for $15.
What’s more, they also offer lunch sets at $10, which includes a soup and drink. I’ve tried the pork knuckle myself, and I have to say that it definitely deserves the rave it’s receiving.
Address: Blk 211 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh #01-01, Singapore 310211
Opening hours:11.30am-1.00am daily
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8. The Burning Oak
The Burning Oak might be the priciest option in this list, but given the quality of its offerings, it’s definitely worth a try. Enjoy an explosion of flavours from grilled yakitori (~$2 each) that has been barbecued by hand over a real charcoal stove. The slow-cooked Beef Short Ribs that sells for $6 a stick is also worth a try, especially if you’re a meat lover.
You can’t say you’ve tried The Burning Oak without a taste of their Wagyu Beef Rump. Imported directly from Australia, the meat is served medium rare with a pink centre. Needless to say, customers love the smokey flavour and slightly chewy texture of the beef. If you’re willing to splurge a little, try the foie gras and beef don, which promises to be as satisfying as it looks. Served with an egg, you’ll enjoy every spoonful and there’ll definitely be no regrets on spending that $20.
Address: 348 Bedok Rd, #02-16, 469560
Opening hours: 12:00 to 21:00
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9. Cowboy Charcoal Grill
Source: Author’s Own
Cowboy Charcoal Grill prides itself in bringing delicious, high quality Western food to the heartland community– and at affordable prices as well! With a branch in Kovan and another in Toa Payoh, Cowboy Charcoal Grill is here to satisfy your cravings with its signature Fish & Chips ($7) and Pork Chop ($8.50).
Source: Author’s own
Meat lovers can opt for the premium cut of air flown ribeye steak, which costs $15.80 and is served with baked potato and garden greens. Customers who tried the Sirloin steak ($13) described it as “restaurant standard”, as the tender and juicy meat wins them over. The next time you’re in the area, don’t forget to pop by and give Cowboy Charcoal Grill a shot!
Address: 209 Hougang Street 21 #01-31 (Kovan Hawker) and 125 Toa Payoh Lor 1
Opening hours: 2pm-10pm (Kovan) and 12pm- 10pm (Toa Payoh)
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10. Fish and Chicks
You might have heard of Fish and Chicks at Cineleisure, but the original store is actually nestled in a coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio. Fish and Chicks serves affordable and satisfying fish, chicken and pasta.
What sets Fish and Chicks apart from other Western stalls would be their sauces. Best of Both Worlds ($13.90) features fish and chips served with both salted egg yolk and chilli crab sauce. Be sure to try this winning combination, and I promise you won’t be needing tartar sauce anymore!
Address: Blk 531 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Singapore 560531
Opening hours:11:00 – 21:30 Daily
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While these stalls are pretty different from the ‘traditional’ stalls that we’re used to, they’re definitely breathing new life into the hawker centres and coffee shops. Maybe we’ll learn to grow and love these cuisines as well, just as much as we love a good bowl of mee pok and kuey chap.
