Image adapted from: @youfoundshane, @peipeister
I’m no stranger to Eastie friends telling me, a good ol’ Westie, that their side of Singapore is better than the rest in all ways – especially the food.
But maybe, just maybe, SG Food Masters 2017 is the one thing that’ll put this feud to rest. This competition aims to uncover the favourite food haunts of Singaporeans not just from the East to the West, but from all 4 corners of the country.
Here’re 6 restaurants we think are special enough to deserve a vote:
Image credit: Al Mahboob Rojak
If you haven’t had Indian rojak in awhile, this spot is guaranteed to get you addicted all over again. Al Mahboob Rojak Restaurant still hand makes its own dough balls and prawn fritters, and everything here is freshly fried when you order.
Prices of their rojak go from $5 onwards, and come with a side of their signature chilli sauce. While some rojak sauces tend to lean towards the sweet side, this one’s just right – mashed up sweet potatoes form the base of the gravy, and is blended with chilli powder and peanuts to give you just the right balance of sweet and spicy.
Other notable dishes include their Sup Tulang (Bone steak soup, $6), Mee Goreng ($4) and Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis ($4), which come in sizeable portions.
Al Mahboob Rojak Restaurant Pte Ltd
Address: 300 Tampines Avenue 5, 529653
Opening Hours: 12PM – 9PM, Daily (Closed on alternate Mondays)
Telephone: 6788 2257
Website
Tian Wai Tian heats their steamboat the traditional charcoal way, with a flavoursome soup broth that’s boiled with a generous amounts of veggies, seaweed and yam for a slightly sweet aftertaste. Patrons can also choose between pomfret, coral grouper and snapper as their main, which is fried beforehand before being boiled in the soup, giving the fish an extra bite.
Image credit: @ashleyoms
And though the star of the show is their steamboat, Tian Wai Tian serves up a variety of zi char dishes to have on the side. These include favourites like Salted Egg Yolk Pork Ribs ($10) that come tossed in just the right amount of sauce without being too sticky, and Har Cheong Kai (prawn paste chicken wings, $8), which packs a mean crunch from the extra layer of batter.
Note: The restaurant only accepts cash, so be sure to have your money ready.
Tian Wai Tian Fishhead Steamboat
Address: 1383 Serangoon Road Singapore 328254
Opening Hours: Mon: 11AM – 10PM | Tues to Sat: 5PM – 11PM | Sun: 5PM – 10PM
Telephone: 6292 9982
Website
NTU students might be familiar with Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak, which remains as one of the well-known places that serve up dishes at affordable prices ($3.50 onwards).
Most of these ingredients cost below $1.
Image credit: @youfoundshane
For starters, remember to ask the friendly makcik for more sambal chilli at no extra cost, and mix it in with their fragrant coconut rice that’s pretty good even on its own. Their fried chicken wings are also perfectly coated with just the right amount of crispy batter, allowing the meat to stay juicy on the inside. Top your meal off with a begedil, a traditional potato fritter, and you might find yourself going back for seconds.
Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak
Address: Boon Lay Place Food Centre, 221B Boon Lay Place, #01-106, Singapore 642221
Opening Hours: Mon (4.30PM – 3.30AM) | Tues – Sun (6.30AM – 3.30AM), Daily
Telephone: 62664466
Website
Note: They offer island-wide delivery from 6pm till 2am daily with no minimum order. (Free delivery for Jurong West, Jurong East and Boon Lay. Those living out of these areas have to top up $5-$10 depending on area.)
Image credit: Kahnsanma Tandoori Village
Westies, if you’re looking for some quality Indian nosh, Khansanma Tandoori Village is the place to quell your cravings. Their dishes come in generous portions too, so there’s no need to worry about feeling peckish even after wiping your plates clean.
Look forward to the classics such as their Tandoori Chicken ($24.50). Meaty chicken thighs are marinated in yogurt, tandoori spice blend, lime juice and saffron, and barbecued in a clay oven over the heat of burning charcoal. Vegetarians can go for their Chana Masala ($7.50), a fragrant chickpea dish that goes great with some naan bread!
Image credit: Kahnsanma Tandoori Village
And because no meal is complete without a round of dessert, finish off the feast with Badam Kheer ($5.50), a rich milk-based dessert made up of almonds, cardamom and saffron.
Note: They provide free delivery regardless of the amount of food you order, which is great for those late nights when you just want to tuck into warm Indian food.
Kahnsanma Tandoori Village
Address: Khansama Tandoori Village, 87 Science Park Drive, Singapore 118260
Opening Hours: 11AM – 11PM, Daily
Telephone: 6776 0300
Website
Steam Seabass with Thai Lemon Sauce ($19) – super affordable for a whole fish!
Image adapted from: @soi47thaifood
A hidden gem in the heartlands of Toa Payoh, Soi 47 serves up super affordable, authentic Thai food.
Forget the usual Pad Thai or Pineapple Rice, regulars suggest Soi 47’s signature Steam Seabass with Thai Lemon Sauce ($19). The fish is accompanied by a strong lime and garlic sauce, perfect for those who prefer tangier flavours.
Stuffed Chicken Wing with Minced Chicken ($6.80/3 pieces)
Image credit: @soi47thaifood
Another customer favourite is their Stuffed Chicken Wing with Minced Chicken ($6.80). Thick juicy wings loaded with crunchy minced chicken filling – just the thing to whet your appetite. Plus, no need to worry about picking apart bones with this dish!
Soi 47 boasts using only the freshest and most natural of ingredients – that means no MSG. The restaurant also avoids another 3 letters most of us are afraid of: GST. Yup, they don’t charge patrons for GST or service, making your meal here all the more value for money.
Soi 47 Thai Food
Address: 47 Lor 6 Toa Payoh, 310047
Opening Hours: 12-2.30PM, 5.30PM-10PM, Daily (Closed on Tuesdays)
Website
Image credit: @duckmastersg
If roasted duck is a delicacy that tops your list, head straight to Duck Master, which sells the dish for just $15.
The ducks are stuffed with herbs and spices like cinnamon, garlic and chestnut, which give the meat a robust flavour that’s quite hard to beat. The best part would definitely be the crispy, crackling skin, which resembles the pricier Peking Duck we only get to eat during special occasions.
Everything here is sold to-go, so the next time you’re cracking your heads over what to bring for a potluck or BBQ, just swing by Duck Master.
Tip: If you have a meal straight away, head on to Urban Toast next door and get your duck chopped up and packed for a small service cost of $3.
Duck Master
Address: 1 Park Road, #01-K99, People’s Park Complex, 059108
Opening Hours: 10.30AM – 9PM, Daily
Telephone: 9237 5910
Website
Note: The ducks are so popular that orders must be made 1 day in advance online. Drop by 30 minutes before the stipulated roasting time to avoid long queues and waiting times!
The top 3 finalists from each district out of the 10 chosen stalls will be awarded the SG Food Masters title, and winners are also decided based on votes from the public. When you vote, you may be rewarded as well, as 20 lucky voters (5 from each zone) stand a chance to walk away with $100 worth of shopping vouchers!
Here’s how:
1. Share your favourite food or restaurant on Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #SGFoodmasters.
2. Go online here or send an SMS to 9752 8900 to vote for your favourite stall in the following format:
Note: Voting period lasts from 11 Nov 2017 – 10 Dec 2017 and multiple votes for different stalls are allowed.
So whether you’re just waiting for the great “Best Side of SG” feud to be over, or just want some tasty grub in your tummy, SG Food Masters has got you covered.
This post is brought to you by Singapore Press Holdings.
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