Have you been spending too much on food? Eating out has been increasingly pricey these days and it’s about time we start getting bored of having the typical brunch or cafe food all the time.
But, not to worry, here are some food places that will leave both your belly and your wallet satisfied!
Jtown Cafe
Located at the basement of Midpoint Orchard, Jtown Cafe is a place you have to visit if you are craving for Indonesian food. A frequent spot for Indonesians, this homely cafeteria serves authentic Indonesian cuisine, and arguably the best martabak in town. Not to mention the wallet-friendly prices that go below $10!
When dining at Jtown Cafe, you definitely can’t miss out on their Bakmie Ayam Cabe Ijo ($5.90). Though it may look like a normal bowl of noodles, this bowl of Green Chilli Chicken Noodles packs a serious punch. The texture of the springy noodles is similar to a combination of Japanese ramen and maggi noodles. Topped with a generous amount of chicken and green chilli, every mouthful feels like a party in your mouth and will make your taste buds tingle. If you are looking to elevate the savoury experience, feel free customise your bowl with some of their dark sauce and special chilli sauce. If you can’t find these sauce bottles on your table, do not hesitate to approach the friendly staff!
Spoilt for choice for dessert? Their Martabak Campur (Regular $3.90, Large, $5.90) is the way to go! A thicker and fluffier version of the Chinese Ban Jian Kueh, this Indonesian pancake is filled with sweet condense milk, chocolate rice, peanuts, and cheese! That’s right, CHEESE! Every bite is a heavenly combination of sweet and savoury, while the chocolate rice and peanuts add another dimension in contrast to the soft and moist pancake. The martabaks here come in two sizes, regular and large (perfect for sharing), with the option of additional toppings.
Midpoint Orchard
Address: 220 Orchard Road
B1-03/04/05
Singapore 238852
Tel: 9230 5040
Nearest MRT: Somerset
Opening hours: 12pm – 9pm
River Valley Nasi Lemak
If cheap food is already hard enough to locate in town, it is even more so for food that is both cheap and good. Tucked in the basement of Lucky Plaza, the River Valley Nasi Lemak is one of the oldest stalls in the Lucky Food Centre. While it may not serve the best nasi lemak in Singapore, it is definitely one that is worth your time and money.
Seemingly bland and average, the nasi lemak here tastes better than it looks. The rice is cooked to perfection: distinct, fragrant and chewy grains with an excellent texture. The juicy drumstick is deep-fried to a golden brown with the perfect level of crispiness, while the sambal chilli is a superb blend of sweetness and spiciness, flavourful and yet not overwhelming. At an incredible price of $3.80, there are five different sets of nasi lemak you can choose from, which you can further customise from a selection of fried fish, egg, otah, and achar.
A word of advice from us: be prepared to fight the working crowd during lunch hours, for this economic dish has already captured the hearts of many loyal followers. It may also be a little challenging to find seats at this bustling coffeeshop, so do plan ahead. Despite so, it is definitely still worthwhile, because where else can you find a decent plate of nasi lemak for less than $5 in town?
Lucky Plaza
Address: 304 Orchard Rd
#B1-99/101
Singapore 238863
Tel: 6732 0080
Nearest MRT: Orchard
Opening hours: 9am – 8pm
Tae Woo Korean Restaurant
If you are a big fan of Korean jajangmyeon, this restaurant will definitely make the top of your list. Serving a variety of authentic Korean dishes, this restaurant is most famous for its jajangmyeon ($12), which has been said to taste as good as jajangmyeon in Korea itself!
A huge delectable bowl of bouncy, succulent handmade noodles drenched in black bean sauce with chunks of meat and onions, topped with thin cucumber slices. You won’t be able to stop slurping from this bowl of goodness. Furthermore, it comes in a generous portion. Trust me when I say that this bowl of jajangmyeon is definitely enough to fully satisfy a hungry adult. If you and your friends intend to order some side dishes to share, it would be advisable to share the jajangmyeon as well.
Other than the jajangmyeon, the jampong ($15) is another dish one ought to try. Served with the same springy noodles, this dish comes with a spicy seafood broth, from which you can taste the sweetness of the clams, mussels, prawns, octopus, and assorted vegetables. For the indecisive people or those who prefer variety, there is also the jajangmyeon and jampong combination ($18) to satisfy your tastebuds. Talk about having the best of both worlds!
Not to mention, the banchan served is exceptionally good, especially its mildly spicy homemade kimchi and the sweet, crunchy pickled radish that is perfect for cleansing your palate between dishes. The affable staff will also take the initiative to refill your side dishes when they see empty plates. Bonus points for great service!
While the restaurant serves a wide array of authentic Korean dishes, only these three dishes made the cut, as the prices of other dishes are comparatively less value-for-money. Here is their menu.
The Central
Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen St #03-84
Singapore 059817
Tel: 6224 8284
Nearest MRT: Clarke QuayOpening Hours: Daily 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
*Currently closed due to renovation. Please check their Facebook page for updates.
