Impeccable service and fresh sashimi! The wagyu don was also very delicious, up to standard, especially compared to other wagyu dons which are at a higher price point. The 7 course lunch set is worth it. They even provided special cheese cake for my moms’s birthday:)
This might just be as close as you can get to having the real deal. Penang Signature only has one item on the menu — Assam Laksa ($3.50). White, slightly translucent noodles are pre-packed into takeaway containers, even if you're eating it there. Upon order, the staff gives the huge pot of broth a good stir before ladling out the lusciously rich gravy that Tastemaker Fabian Poon describes as "belacan, heh ko (prawn paste), lemongrass, assam and my favourite, mint leaves all mixed harmoniously together in a fish broth". Tastemaker Kenneth Lee loves how the "sweetish prawn paste mixes perfectly with the sour tamarind" without overpowering the other flavours. Pro tip: Request for the gravy to be stored separately from the noodles if you're going to have this taken away — it keeps the noodles from getting soft and soggy!
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Kenneth Lee
There are two kinds of people in life: those who like their hokkien mee wet, and those who prefer it dry. But Nam Sing may just please both crowds. Each spoonful brims with the aromatic, umami-rich prawn seafood stock that has been patiently fried with the noodles. Served simply with cut red chili, soy sauce, squeeze the lime all over to brighten up this dish, and slurp up this perfectly moist plate of noodles. Give them a ring before you go down, or count on your luck for them to be open, as they close the stall as they wish.
Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee
#01-32, Old Airport Road Food Centre
Mon - Sun: 1100 - 1900 (or when sold out)
The aunty here is really like the grandmother who makes sure you're well-fed. Exceedingly generous with ingredients, this stall keeps people coming back with their value-for-money noodles. The char siew noodles are loaded with boiled wontons, fried wontons, char siew, and veg. But the mushroom pork rib noodles are the star. Instead of char siew, you get a good amount of super flavourful, super tender fall-off-the-bone pork ribs atop a good serving of noodles. How awesome is that?
Tai Seng Noodle House
#02-123, Amoy Street Food Centre
Mon - Sat: 0930 - 1430
Closed on Sun
If you want claypot rice that's a cut above the rest, this is it. Cooked upon order, you'll get great traditional claypot rice cooked over charcoal, and the wait can stretch up to an hour. Tender chicken meat, salted fish, lup cheong, charred rice bits, excellent sweet sauce and chilli? Check. This is one of the best places you can get claypot rice at in Singapore, but don't go when you're ravenous because you might get really hangry!
Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice
#02-198/199, Chinatown Complex Market
Tel: 62272470
Mon - Wed: 1600 - 2300
Fri - Sun: 1600 - 2300
Closed on Thu
Trust the perpetual snaking queue at Xin Mei Xiang; a favourite among many. The rich, intense prawn-based gravy is just viscous enough to pleasantly coat the noodles without being cloying - add black vinegar to bring it to another level. The noodles are topped with the standard braised pork, ngoh hiang, egg and beansprouts, they also include fried snapper flakes that lend a great texture. The key here is patience, you'll get to the front of the queue eventually.
Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee
#01-116, Old Airport Road Food Centre
Tue - Wed, Fri - Sun: 0700 - 1400
Closed on Mon & Thu
This burger bar has it all. The build-it-yourself concept gives you full control, and allows you to have as much or as little as you desire. Build the burger of your dreams - extra bacon, extra cheese, portobello mushrooms, caramelised onions, fried egg, and wasabi mayo maybe? If you're not in the mood for building your burger, go for The Fat Basterd ($18). Wash it all down with your choice of beer/ cider/ malt milkshake.
Relish is sort of an oldie-but-goodie, with great value for money. Chef Willin Low really knows how to create unique local twists on the classics. The Wild Rocket Beef Burger ($18.50) features a Sarawak pepper cream and a sun-dried tomato relish that combines to work wonders. Give the Ram-Lee Beef Burger ($21.90) a try if you love the flavours of the iconic Malaysian burger. If having Asian flavours in your burger doesn't appeal to you, go for the Blue Cheese Beef Burger with Rucola, Poached Pear & Walnut Butter ($21.90), it's a superb combination.
Saveur offers possibly the most affordable French cuisine you can find, and you've probably had many-a-meal here already. Priding themselves in the use of local products and making French food accessible to the masses, Saveur has become the go-to place for quality food that won't break the bank. Start with Saveur's Pasta ($4.90) — capellini tossed in chilli oil, finely chopped Japanese konbu, and topped with minced pork sauce, chives and sakura ebi. For mains, get the melt-in-your mouth Salmon Confit ($10.90) or Chicken Roulade ($10.90). If you're in the mood for a complete three-course meal, their lunch sets priced at $22.90++ are available at their Purvis Street and Scotts Road outlets.
Yes, $16 isn't exactly cheap, but for arguably one of the best chirashi around, it certainly is worth it. Teppei Syokudo's much raved-about Kaisen Don is one of the most value-for-money ones out there, and it doesn't compromise on quality or flavour. Add four beautifully sweet, plump scallops for just $1.80 (bringing the total to $17.80), and dig in to what is quite possibly the most indulgent takeaway food. The marinated chunks of salmon and tuna are perfectly meaty and fresh, punctuated by salty bursts of ikura. So you might have to stand and eat this awkwardly in some corner of Takashimaya, but who cares when it tastes so darn good?
