Lunch can be a tedious daily decision to make when you are working in Central Singapore. Ever wondered how you can fill your stomach with great tasting food without breaking your wallet? Our team at SIGNALGRYD has gone to explore many places in the town area to find you 5 places where you can dine at under a $5 budget.
1. Signs A Taste of Vietnam
Hanoi Chicken Pho – $5
Hidden in the corner of Midpoint Orchard, we were greeted with smiles by owners, Anthony and Angela as we entered their humble shop. Opened recently, the eatery serves authentic vietnamese food which offers chicken pho at $5! The pho we tasted here is one of the best vietnamese pho we have ever tried. There were generous amount of shredded chicken slices, along with a thick cut rice noodles in the bowl of goodness.
Besides chicken pho, the vietnamese eatery also serves other must-try foods such as the beef pho ($6), vietnamese spring roll ($5 – which are really huge and good!) and beef noodle salad ($6) which you should definitely try! There are also many drink items you can choose from.
Nearest MRT station: Somerset
Address:
220 Orchard Road
#B1-07 Midpoint Orchard
Singapore 238852
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/Signs-A-Taste-Of-Vietnam-Pho-492638667797743/
2. Choong Chia Wanton Mee
Wanton Mee – $3.50
Located just opposite OG on Bencoolen Street, this store is known for their Char Siew. There are a wide variety of Roasted Pork dishes such as Char Siew Rice, Wanton Mee and Shredded Chicken Hor Fan. We had the dried version of the wanton mee which cost only $3.50.
The noodles did not disappoint, they were cooked al dente which, when mixed with sauce, are springy and flavorful. Each portion comes with a bowl of wanton soup. The star of the dish would be the char siew, which are well-marinated, roasted to perfection, with occasional sweet-tasting burnt edges. This is definitely a worthy visit if you love wanton mee!
Nearest MRT station: Bugis
Address:
180 Bencoolen Street
#01-05 The Bencoolen
Singapore 189646
3. Tea Party
Prawn Aglio Olio Set – $5
A standard go-to meal for SMU students, Tea Party would not be foreign to you if you work near Bras Basah / Bencoolen MRT Stations. At just $4.80, you get to choose from a variety of freshly cooked pasta with a cup of iced tea!
We had the Mushroom Aglio ($4.80) and Prawn Aglio ($5) that comes with 2 cups of iced lemon tea. The pastas were served with generous amounts of mushrooms and prawns, with noodles cooked al dente with fresh and distinct taste of garlic tossed in olive oil.
Besides the pasta set meal, other popular choices are the baked pasta ($4.50) and mini bites where you can get a range of baked and deep fried items such as hash brown or fries at a relatively cheap price (from $1 to $4.50)! Everything on the menu is value for money. This is a place that must not be missed!
Nearest MRT station: Bencoolen / Bras Basah
Address:
90 Stamford Road
#01-74/75 Singapore Management University School of Economics
Singapore 178903
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/TPCSMU/
4. 85 Redhill Teochew Fishball Noodles
Fishball Noodles – $4
Specialised in teochew style fish ball noodles, 85 Redhill Teochew Fishball Noodles first started off as a small stall located in Redhill Close. Today, the local fare eatery has 7 outlets islandwide, serving bowls of goodness that brings about a nostalgic flavour and taste.
For a bowl of fishball noodles ($4), you get a filling portion of noodles (of your choice) served with delicious handmade teochew fishball and fishcake.The noodles are cooked just nice with the right texture and the fish balls are chewy and dense in flavours. Alternatively, you could also try their signature fishball noodles at $5 for their specialty meatball and fish dumpling.
Besides fishball noodles, the popular eatery also serve other local fares such as laksa, pork rib noodles, fish dumpling soup and ba chor mee.
Nearest MRT station: Dhoby Ghaut
68 Orchard Road
#B2-39 Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Website: http://85redhill.com.sg/
5. Nam Kee Pau Mee Hoon Kueh
Nam Kee Pau Mee
Hoon Kueh – $3.50
Nam Kee Pau Mee Hoon Kueh serves old-school style, hand-torn Mee Hoon Kueh cooked in savory great tasting soup. Each bowl is cook on the spot where you will get to see pieces of dough torn right in front of you, into different shapes and sizes which makes the kueh soft and chewy. Other than Mee Hoon Kueh, there are also other noodle options such as Instant Noodles or Crispy Egg Noodles. Each bowl only costs $3.50 too. An additional egg for $0.50 could be added, and enjoy the onsen-style egg mixed together with your noodles for that extra sweet tasting broth to complete the meal.
The Mee Hoon Kueh here taste traditional and each bowl is topped with generous amounts of stewed mushrooms and ikan bilis that adds flavours into the soups. Do expect longer queues during lunch hours as the dish is made-to-order.
Nearest MRT station: Somerset
Address:
The Centrepoint
#B2-03 & #B2-06, 176 Orchard Road,
Singapore 238843
Website: http://namkeepau.com.sg/
