As our Hougang food trail has proven, there’s no need to head downtown when you can find fantastic food in your very own neighbourhood. Bukit Timah is considered one of the most expensive districts in Singapore with the posh designer villas and high-end condominiums – but we’ve discovered a ton of affordable good eats along this atas stretch, just waiting to be unearthed by food lovers!
A casual communal cafe tucked away in the neighbourhood Eng Kong Terrace. Necessary Provisions is masterminded by the creators of Smitten Cafe. They serve great coffee, fine teas, fresh food and quality craft beers. At Necessary Provisions, you will get an inexhaustible menu with food of all kinds, from sweet to savoury.
Bring your own book or grab a magazine from the café and you’re good for a caffeinated afternoon.
Address: 21 Eng Kong Terrace S598993
Opening Hours: Tue – Thu: 10am – 10pm | Fri & Sat: 10am – Midnight | Sun: 10am – 6pm
Contact: 9231 7920
Website: http://necessaryprovisions.com
“Better old than new” sums up Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. Of all the shops that have come and gone, this bakery has stood unwavering with its regular patrons. I have been one of them from a young age. I would always go for their durian puffs, mousse cakes and banana cake. Entering the shop is like reliving my childhood – a satisfying, nostalgic experience on the cheap.
Address: 4 Chun Tin Road S599591
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 9pm | Sun: 9am – 1pm
Contact: 6466 3515
Along the same row of shophouses lies yet another unique bakery. Lynn’s Cakes & Coffee specialises in freshly baked layer cakes, paired with their special blend coffee and artisan tea. There are classic cakes such as Carrot Cakes, Dark Chocolate Cakes and more.
The simple decor of the shop gives off a refreshing yet homely vibe – perfect for those of us who need a reprieve from this bustling city. Also, it’s Halal!
Address: 11 Eng Kong Terrace S598983
Opening Hours: Tue – Thu: 11am – 7pm | Fri, Sat & Eve of P.H: 11am – 9pm | Sun & P.H: 11am – 8pm
Contact: 6314 2886
Website: http://www.lynnscakes.com.sg
Fancy Delight doesn’t serve your usual rounded egg tarts. Beside the other eateries along Lorong Kilat, Fancy Delight has a wide range of flavoured egg tarts at really affordable prices, making them the one-stop shop for a great post-meal dessert. The creamy egg in the middle of the tart is to die for – a truly underrated gem.
Address: 17 Lorong Kilat #01-04 S598139
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11am – 7pm (Closed on Sundays and P.H)
Website:http://www.fancydelight.com.sg
I always crave the one in Geylang, and was so stoked when I found out there’s a new outlet in Cheong Chin Nam. How else would you feel about a deal like “Buy 4, Free 3 and Porridge for $30“?
Address: 5 Cheong Chin Nam Road S599730
Opening Hours: 3pm – 3am
Contact: 6467 7317
It’s located at a prominent corner of the old school rooftop hawker centre of Beauty World. The dry noodles are some of the best I’ve had. The Sambal Balacan and black soya sauce gives a tangy taste to the whole bowl of noodles.
Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Beauty World Centre #04-44
Opening Hours: 9am – 8.30pm, Closed on alternate Sundays
Contact: 9857 6162
While it is easy to love Xiao Long Baos and Guoties, it is challenging to find a place that sells affordable and good ones. When You Peng Fresh Mian Jiao Zi Guan first opened, I took a leap of faith and ordered one basket of Xiao Long Baos and a plate of Guotie on top of my other main dishes. It was as good as the ones I had in China – the skin was so tender.
It costs $6 for 10 Guotie and $7 for 10 Xiao Long Bao.
Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Beauty World Centre #04-23
Opening Hours: Daily: 1030am – 9pm
Contact: 6463 5608
Hawker centres are every Singaporean’s food paradise. I am always spoilt for choice when I go to Bukit Timah Hawker Centre and I just end up over-ordering. There is no lack of food varieties and the same goes for the crowd. Below are some of the hawker centre’s best offerings.
Happy Wanton Noodles serves dark soy sauce base wanton noodles. With the springy noodles and lean meat Char Siew, it is easily one of my favourite wanton noodles in Singapore.
Address: Stall #02-197, 116 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588172. Closed on Tuesdays.
Soyako has really silky and smooth beancurd. I will usually take a few packets home and keep them refrigerated, but beancurd from Soyako still stays soft the day after.
Address: Stall #02-166, 116 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588172. Closed on Tuesdays.
At Sin Chew Satay Beehoon, you see the queue before you even reach the stall. Yeah, that’s how good it is.
Address: Stall #02-162, 116 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588172.
Leng Kee Fish Soup only sells non-fried clear fish soup, but their specialisation has brought them a devoted crowd from day one. Though priced slightly higher than the other fish soup stalls at approximately $5 per bowl, the fish Leng Kee uses is not the usual dory.
Address: Stall #02-192, 116 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588172.
Peranakan food, Chinese and Baba-Nyonya mix, is so close to my heart. Such exquisite food rarely comes at a cheap price. One of Ivins‘ many outlets is tucked a few streets down from Turf City’s grandstand. The dishes are served in smaller portions, so I can always order a few favourites without worrying about wasting food.
Address: 21 Binjai Park S589827
Opening Hours: Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm | Closed on Thursdays
Contact: 6468 3060
While many cafés and restaurants at Sixth Avenue are must-visits, Sunny Fishball Noodles at the Good Good Coffeeshop is my weekend breakfast fix. Pair it with a cup of Kopi and that’s my perfect local breakfast – just one of many breakfasts that Singapore has to offer.
Address: 15 Anamalai Avenue S279985 (Sixth Avenue)
Opening Hours: Daily 6am – 4pm
We all know that bar bites aren’t wallet-friendly, and that’s even before you start on your drinks. Bar Bar Black Sheep not only has cheaper beer towers compared to the other bars, they offer Thai, Indian and Western Cuisines at pocket-friendly prices. Filling yet affordable spot for a night out with your friends.
Address: 879 Cherry Avenue
Opening Hours: Sun – Fri: 11am – 12 mn | Sat: 10am – 12 mn
Contact: 6468 9382
Website: http://www.bbbs.com.sg
There’s another outlet down the road at Cluny Court.
Address: 501 Bukit Timah Road, Cluny Court #01-05C
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12pm – 12mn | Fri: 12pm – 2am | Sat: 10am – 2am
Contact: 6763 4757
Amidst the flora and fauna of the Botanic Gardens sits Mr Prata House. I have visited this place intermittently since childhood and the doughy prata never fails to cheer my stomach up, though some might prefer crispier pratas. Nonetheless, it’s a good place to sate your midnight cravings!
If you liked Mr Prata and want more late-night food, try these supper spots.
Address: 26 Evans Road, Evans Lodge #01-02 S259367
Opening Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Contact: 6235 6993
Local food is always comfort food, meant to soothe your soul and stomach. Hidden in a small corner of Coronation Shopping Plaza is My Cosy Corner, serving a range of delicious local delights. Simple yet homely. The popiah and Mee Siam are my personal favourites!
Address: 587 Bukit Timah Road #02-02 Coronation Shopping Plaza S269707
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 10am – 9pm | Sun: 11am – 6pm
Contact: 6463 8286
A student favourite. I was also one of the fans of Golden Rooster during my canoeing days. Just a 20-minute bus ride from MacRitchie Reservoir, you can binge on the chicken chop, beef steak or lemon chicken rice for approximately $5. To top that up, the loving aunty fills your plates with extra gravy.
Address: 587 Bukit Timah Road Coronation Shopping Plaza #03-07 S269707
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 6:45pm
Contact: 6463 6845
At such a prominent spot, no food lover will miss Adam Road Food Centre. Located along the food street of Bukit Timah Road, Adam Road Food Centre caters to both Muslims and the non-Muslim crowd. Here are some of my favourites.
Teck Kee Hot & Cold Desserts has one of the most generous yet cheapest Cheng Teng. Filled with big sago balls, sweet potatoes, and many other ingredients, topped with ice. It has to be one of the most refreshing local desserts after training!
Address: Stall #31, 2 Adam Rd, Singapore 289876. Closed on Mondays.
Noo Cheng Big Prawn Noodles is an affordable prawn paradise for prawn mee lovers! They bring in Jumbo-sized wild sea prawns and a bowl only costs $8. They do have other prawns for $5 per bowl. The soup is what attracts me every time. It is rich yet not overpowering, and you don’t feel thirsty after.
Address: Stall 27, 2 Adam Rd, Singapore 289876.
Seleca Rasa Nasi Lemak is a Halal stall but lacks no Non-Muslim patrons. The chicken wings are almost indescribable – that’s how good they are.
Address: Stall 2, 2 Adam Rd, Singapore 289876.
Apart from crispy savoury and sweet waffles, Waffletown is the American fast food restaurant you did not know existed. Their sambal fish rice is rather good and their fried chicken is of the same calibre.
I really like their old school concept. They have vintage fast food chain chairs that you can’t find anywhere else.
Address: 271 Bukit Timah Road Balmoral Plaza #01-08 S259708
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 10pm
Contact: 6836 6536
Website: http://www.waffletown.com.sg
It’s difficult to find quality pizza that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, but Spizza‘s lunch promotion is a steal compared to their usual pricing. From 12pm – 2.30pm, Monday to Friday, you can get 10-inch pizza or pasta with classic sauce at $12. Also, Spizza is very accessible – it’s a 10-minute walk from Newton MRT Station, or a 10-minute bus ride from town.
Address: 271 Bukit Timah Road Balmoral Plaza #01-09
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri (except P.H): 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm | Sat, Sun, P.H: 12pm – 10.30pm
Contact: 6333 8148
Website: http://www.spizza.sg
Here’s one for the late-night bar-hoppers. Free Flow of Asahi beer from 9pm to 10pm every Sunday and Monday at $15++.
Address: 260 Upper Bukit Timah Road S588213
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 11.30am – 12.30am | Fri: 11.30am – 1.30am | Sat: 9am – 1.30am | Sun & P.H: 9am – 12.30am
Website: http://www.spruce.com.sg
Add these affordable hidden gems to your favourite food hunting list. Make it an adventure this weekend – hurry up and check out these places before the crowds get there via the new MRT lines!
Let us know in the comments below if we missed out any of your favourites!
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