Located on the third floor of Fortune Centre, this shop selling tasty and affordable Japanese dishes is a popular lunch stop for many working or studying in the area. The Pork Katsu Curry Rice ($7), one of the five varieties of curry available, is a reliable option. The golden, fried cutlet is placed on a heap of rice with brown curry sauce alongside, so you can choose to smother or dip. Another popular choice is the Salmon Mentai Don ($10) — thick-cut slices of salmon flame-torched for that hint of smokiness, topped with a generous dollop of mentaiko mayo. The portion runs small, so you might want to share a side of the super crispy, addictive Salmon Kama Karaage ($6) which utilizes parts of the fish such as the head and the fin, with your lunch companion!
Avg price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Greedy Pals
Groups can stuff themselves on the cheap at this Okonomiyaki and Teppanyaki restaurant located in the heart of Little India. The key to Seiwaa’s success? Consistently tasty, authentic Japanese food that is priced affordably, plus a lively, casual environment equals a restaurant that no one can argue with. Order the Monjyayaki ($14 for seafood, add $3 for cheese), a pan-fried batter that is largely similar to Okonomiyaki, but wetter and a whole lot more fun to eat. The base of shredded cabbage is fried with your choice of protein, then spread thin on the grill to cook to crisp. A small ditch is made in the middle of the mixture, and a thick, saucy glaze is poured and mixed in. Up till here, the staff cooks everything for you, but once it’s done, you and your friends will have to scrape and eat directly off the grill with tiny metal spoons — a fun and definitely memorable experience for everyone! The pan-grilled Giant Squid ($15) is also worth ordering, Burpple Tastemaker Celest Lim describes it as “fresh and succulent, perfect with the side dip of mayonnaise and a sprinkle of chilli powder”.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Wei Zhi Chiang
Groups can stuff themselves on the cheap at this Okonomiyaki and Teppanyaki restaurant located in the heart of Little India. The key to Seiwaa’s success? Consistently tasty, authentic Japanese food that is priced affordably, plus a lively, casual environment equals a restaurant that no one can argue with. Order the Monjyayaki ($14 for seafood, add $3 for cheese), a pan-fried batter that is largely similar to Okonomiyaki, but wetter and a whole lot more fun to eat. The base of shredded cabbage is fried with your choice of protein, then spread thin on the grill to cook to crisp. A small ditch is made in the middle of the mixture, and a thick, saucy glaze is poured and mixed in. Up till here, the staff cooks everything for you, but once it’s done, you and your friends will have to scrape and eat directly off the grill with tiny metal spoons — a fun and definitely memorable experience for everyone! The pan-grilled Giant Squid ($15) is also worth ordering, Burpple Tastemaker Celest Lim describes it as “fresh and succulent, perfect with the side dip of mayonnaise and a sprinkle of chilli powder”.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Wei Zhi Chiang
Incredibly spacious and conveniently located in Lasalle College of the Arts, this is a good spot for working in groups in a vibrant atmosphere. Great for grabbing wallet-friendly light bites for lunch or tea time, or evening drinks with a cold cider, you can come here anytime. They sometimes hold events and live performances here in the evenings, so do check out the schedule before you head down! Photo by Charlene Tan
This humble Thai stall in Tiong Bahru market is probably the most value-for-money, with huge portions at only $4 a plate. Owned and run by two friendly Thais, you'll be guaranteed authentic, hearty food. The Pad Thai is full of flavour and generous with the ingredients. Go for your favourites, they have a wide variety to choose from!
Serving huge portions, be sure to share your food here at Gold Food. With most dishes priced below $10, this value-for-money Thai restaurant is great for some mango salad, green curry and tom yam. Located conveniently in Sunshine Plaza, it's a great hidden gem for cheap, tasty Thai food in town.
