Ready meals to avoid lunch crowds
We all know the drill – the clock strikes 12 and you’ll see everyone springing up from their seats, brisk walking towards elevators, some running. All with a common goal in mind: beat those snaking-long lunch queues.
Well, if you’re tired of this mad rush for lunch, opt instead for ready-made meals that’ll fill your bellies without the long prep time. For all you CBD workers clamouring for a “longer” lunch break, here’s a list of healthy and delicious ready meals just a few steps from your office:
1. Shake Salad
If you’re all about that #fitspo life, head to Shake Salad vending machines for fresh salads below 300 calories. Choose from 4 different salad options with complimentary sauces; you can even top it off with smoked duck and egg for dem gainz.
The machine also accepts cashless payment methods like Apple Pay and Nets FlashPay.
What we got: Caesar salad with caesar dressing
Thankfully, we didn’t have to deal with soggy veggies – the salad was extremely fresh and the tangy Caesar dressing made eating clean a joy. We like our salads crunchy, too, so the added pecan nuts and croutons were very welcome.
Rating: 8/10
Price range: $4.90-$6.50
Locations in the CBD: AXA (Tower 1), LASALLE, OUE Downtown Gallery Lobby 2 Level 1
Alternative locations islandwide can be found here
2. Chef In Box
True to its name, the Chef In Box vending machine lets you have chef-prepared and halal ready meals like beef rendang and chicken bolognese spaghetti for just $4!
In 6-8 minutes, a warm and hearty meal is served up, alongside a set of utensils for convenient consumption. These machines accept e-payment; Just tap your NETs, credit card or EZ Link Card and you’re good to go!
What we got: Seafood Hor Fun
Got some zi char cravings? Well, pick up this seafood hor fun that’s topped with meat and fresh prawn. The portion is generous, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. Plus, the addictive gravy of the noodles will make this dish disappear minutes after you head back to office.
Rating: 7/10
Price: $4
Locations in the CBD: Near Raffles Hospital, SMU School of Business, Suntec Convention Centre Level 3 Vendcafe
Alternative locations islandwide can be found here
3. Arumi Japchae
Tucked in the frozen food section here is Arumi Japchae’s microwaveable glass noodles ($4.80) that taste so much like restaurant-quality noodles that you might just say “gaseyo” to Korean restaurants.
What we got: Soy sauce japchae
If you told me that this was bought from a Korean restaurant, I might actually believe you. The chewiness of this was insane! Opt for this instead of a pricey store-bought Korean dish to save you some cash.
Rating: 7/10
Price: $4.80
Locations in the CBD: NTUC Fairprice – 100AM Mall, NTUC Fairprice – Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Alternative NTUC Fairprice locations islandwide can be found here
4. Saybons
Say bon voyage to spilled soup from dabao trips with Saybons packed soups. The broth here is thick and filling – great for those who aren’t hungry enough for a whole meal but still want something that’ll keep them full. There’s two servings in each packets, too, so you can share it with a friend!
What we got: Wild mushroom soup
The soup was densely packed with finely diced mushrooms and had a light salted flavour. Not diluted at all and every scoop was smooth and savoury.
Rating: 8/10
Price: $9.80
Note that besides the soup pack, Saybons ready meals also come in a plastic cup packaging (250ml, from $4.90)! Image credit: @eatbooksg
Locations in CBD: Cold Storage – Marina One, Saybons @OUE Downtown
Alternatively, you could buy them online here
5. CP
CP’s ready meals remind me of home. They’re like instant versions of your mum’s cooked meals, simple and heart-warming (literally). So if you’re unwilling to go through the hassle of cooking and cleaning up, just grab one of these and place it in the microwave for 3-4 minutes.
What we got: Shrimp wonton noodle with vegetable, fried rice
The Shrimp Wonton Noodle with Vegetables is the zhng-ed up version of your everyday instant noodles, with wontons that are jam packed with shrimp and a lightly flavoured broth.
Rating: 6/10
Price: $4.80
This fried rice hit the closest to home as it wasn’t oily at all. With chicken slices topping the rice, there was a myriad of textures with every bite taken.
Rating: 7.5/10
Price: $3.89
Locations in the CBD: NTUC Fairprice – 100AM Mall, NTUC Fairprice – Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Alternative NTUC Fairprice locations islandwide can be found here
6. Taste Asia
We all know the drill when it comes to da bao-ing noodles. Put them aside for an hour or so and the next thing you know? The soup is all gone. Plus, instead of springy noodles, you now have soggy ones.
Luckily, Taste Asia packages their wet and dry ingredients separately. When you finally want to dig into a scrumptious meal, maximum freshness is guaranteed.
What we got: Nyonya Laksa and Yaki Udon with Chikuzenni
Rich and creamy, the laksa broth came close to replicating an authentic fresh bowl of Nyonya laksa. The slices of fish cake, tofu puffs and even a fresh hard-boiled egg made the meal uncannily similar to a bowl of Katong Laksa.
Rating: 6/10
Price: $4.90
As for the Yaki Udon, it was a healthy, yet flavourful meal. The side of mushrooms, corn and lotus complemented the smooth and slightly sweet udon, spicing up the dish and making it a winner.
Rating: 8/10
Price: $5.90
Locations in the CBD: Cold Storage- Altez, Cold Storage- Havelock II, Cold Storage – Marina One, NTUC Fairprice – 100AM Mall, NTUC Fairprice – Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Available at all major supermarkets, including NTUC Fairprice, Giant, Sheng Siong and RedMart
7. Chef’s Finest
We’ve all been through times of desperation where frozen pizzas were our only foods in the fridge. So the next time you’re craving a quick snack, pick up a fusion pizza by Chef’s Finest instead which needs to be toasted for just 5 minutes.
What we got: Oriental Toast Chicken Char Siew
When this came out of the toaster, boy did its aroma blow me away. While its texture was rock hard instead of toast-like, the overflowing amounts of meat and layer of cheese on it made up for that.
Rating: 5/10
Price: $5.65
Locations in the CBD: NTUC Fairprice – 100AM Mall, NTUC Fairprice – Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Alternative NTUC Fairprice locations islandwide can be found here
8. The Soup Spoon
There are days when we wish for more atas food. But not all of us have the luxury of time to go down, buy a plate, or dabao it back.
Luckily, The Soup Spoon now has ready meals in supermarkets. With their cool vacuum packaging, not can you see what exactly you’re paying for, you’ll also know that the original flavours are retained.
Simply remove the plastic sticker and pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes.
What we got: Salmon with Cauliflower Quinoa Rice
Comprising of fresh salmon, soft edamame, fragrant quinoa rice and a thick ponzu miso sauce, this dish is for the health-conscious who are bored of the usual vegetarian options. Original flavours and nutrients were retained in its vacuum-sealed packaging for an extra delicious meal.
Rating: 7.5/10
Price: $12.90
Locations in the CBD: Cold Storage- Altez, Cold Storage- Havelock II, Cold Storage – Marina One, NTUC Fairprice – 100AM Mall, NTUC Fairprice – Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Available at all major supermarkets, including Fairprice Finest, selected Cold Storage outlets and RedMart
9. 7- Eleven
Late for work with hunger pangs? With 7-Eleven ready meals, you no longer have to trudge to the hawker centre or queue for food when you’re short on time. There’s a shop at every MRT station in the CBD, so just grab one and go!
What we got: Butter chicken biryani
Previously when we tried every single 7-11 ready meal, the butter chicken biryani ($3.90) ranked top amongst the rest and it didn’t disappoint this time.
With authentic basmati rice and a light buttery sauce that didn’t overwhelm, this biryani is for those who seek a healthier alternative to this usually oily dish.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $3.90
Locations in the CBD: 1 Raffles Quay, Income At Raffles, International Plaza, Raffles Place MRT, Tanjong Pagar MRT
7-11 stores islandwide here
10. Prima Taste Ready Meal
Some days, you just feel like digging into a plate of true, blue claypot rice but then the conundrum arises; “Aiyo, The waiting time is way too long.” or “Wah sian, the price here is super ex.”
Well, there’s a saviour in the form of Prima Ready Taste Meals. With a long shelf life, you can store up on these packs, making claypot rice extra convenient. Just pop one into the microwave for 90 seconds to get a warm meal.
Four rice variations are offered, and we’ve previously tried them all here.
What we got: Beef rendang with rice
Although slightly dry, the basmati rice and beef pieces resembled the texture of claypot rice. For a spicy kick to the dish, top it off with some of your own chilli padis.
Rating: 5.5/10
Price: $4.90
Locations in the CBD: Cold Storage- Altez, Cold Storage- Havelock II, Cold Storage – Marina One, NTUC Fairprice – 100AM Mall, NTUC Fairprice – Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Available at all major supermarkets, including NTUC Fairprice, Giant, Cold Storage and Sheng Siong.
11. Xndo
If you’re trying to be a #bufflord but don’t want to sacrifice those carbs, Xndo has the solution for you. The rice used has low Glycemic Index (GI), which means its digested slowly and keeps blood sugar levels stable. So you’ll feel full longer and be less susceptible to conditions like diabetes.
Pop one in the microwave for 1-2 minutes and feast.
What we got: Japanese chicken rice
The rice was soft which made it easy to mix with the chicken and sauce. The chicken was dense with umami too, making each bite of the dish very flavourful.
Rating: 8/10
Price: $7.96
Location in the CBD: Tiong Bahru Plaza
Alternative Xndo outlets islandwide can be found here
Bonus: More ready meals at Cold Storage Fusionopolis
For those that work at One North, you might not be in the CBD, but you aren’t missing out.
There’s a new Next Gen Cold Storage store in Fusionopolis, which features a huge ready-to-eat section. Think fresh salads, bento sets, charcuterie and cheese platters and sandwiches for your next lunch break!
Tasty and convenient food options for when you’re hungry
It’s tough juggling fixed eating hours and work, with tight deadlines sometimes even forcing you to OT or skip meals due to the lunch crowd. But with these convenient ready meals, you can now say goodbye to long waiting times for your food.
Image credit: Just Nice
If you think ready meals are ‘unhealthy’ or ‘inferior in quality’, think again. Just look at the Soup Spoon Ready to Go Meals, or Arumi Japchae. These are made from nutritious ingredients, and the former even uses innovative processing and packaging tech. Translation: Your ready meal can taste just as fresh and good as a cooked meal even after being stored for days!
Find out more about ready meals here!
This post was brought to you by the Just Nice campaign.