10 Cheap and Good Meals Under $10

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

If Korean and Mexican food had a lovechild, this hole-in-the-wall shop at the basement of Marina Bay Financial Centre (sandwiched between Aloha Poke and Four Seasons Gourmet Market) would be it. Ssäm (meaning 'wrapped' in Korean) crafts protein-packed bowls that will keep you fuelled throughout the day. Order the cilantro lime rice and top it with the unbelievably tasty 40-hour Korean BBQ marinated beef short ribs ($9). Unless you opt out, the bowl is completed with sides of tangy kimchi and tomato salsa, onion lime relish, pickled cucumbers, kimchi and seaweed, and topped with sesame seeds and fried shallots. If you have change to spare, add on the Egg ($0.80) or treat yourself to a scoop of Guacamole ($2.50).
Avg price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See

Located within the NTUC Foodfare foodcourt in Clementi Mall, Ramen Taisho is the place to go to when you're on a tight budget and ramen cravings strike. It is unlike any run-of-the-mill ramen stalls usually present in foodcourts. For one, the thin, stringy noodles are made fresh daily and the flavourful broth is prepared in-house by slowly simmering pork bones. The famed Tonkotsu Ramen ($6.90) comes topped with two pieces of chashu, a molten egg and spring onion — a popular amongst budget-conscious students. If you have two bucks to spare, get the Ramen Deluxe ($8.90) instead and be rewarded with five pieces of chashu!
Avg price: $10 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Irene Arieputri

Set in Burlington Square, this air-conditioned food court is known for its Northern Thai Tom Yum Soup from the fish soup stall. The broth is spicy, sour and extremely punchy — definitely not one for the faint-hearted! For the best experience, go for the mixed fish soup ($5.40), which comes with a combination of fresh and deep-fried fish pieces. To make it more substantial, pick one of nine noodle choices to add on ($0.50-$1.10, options include ban mian, mee hoon kueh and instant noodles) and don't hesitate to order the crispy fried egg ($1) on the side — it's crisp and super yummy! Pro-tip: Bookmark this spot for lunch. The stall opens from 10:30am and operations wind down by 3pm. It's a mad rush here at lunchtime, so come before noon to beat the crowd.
Avg price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Felicia Sim

Dining with a small group of friends? Plan your next catch up at YangZhou Fried Rice Restaurant. Located within East Village (next to WatSub), this cosy Chinese restaurant offers generous portions of zi char dishes at pocket-friendly prices — perfect for sharing! Fill your table with the flavourful Yangzhou Fried Rice ($3) that will easily feed two, crispy Salted Egg Chicken ($6) and Yu Xiang Brinjal ($5) in spicy garlic sauce. You'll walk out stuffed, happy and with barely a dent in your pocket.
Avg price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Jayson Yeo

Here's where to go for a filling, rainy day lunch in the heart of town. Set on the seventh floor of Orchard Central, Taiwanese hotpot chain Shi Li Fang serves up incredibly affordable individual set lunch meals ($9.90). There are several options for your main protein, including sliced chicken, sliced pork belly and mushroom. This is served with a generous basket of fresh ingredients like cabbage, enoki mushrooms, tofu and a whole egg. You can also select up to two base broths (we recommend the specialty mala soup and the tonic chicken soup), a choice of rice or noodles, plus a drink.
Avg price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Andy Xu

This fully-automated newcomer at the void deck of 320C Anchorvale Drive in Sengkang has been attracting crowds of curious onlookers. Swing by this 24-hour VendCafe after pulling a late night at the office and place your order at one of the bright orange vending machines before making your payment (cash or credit card). The machines then dispense piping hot packed meals that are ready to be consumed or frozen ones that are handy for takeaways, all under five minutes. The vending machines are stocked with 19 options from trendy Salted Egg Pasta with Shrimps ($5) and popular Seafood Hor Fun ($3.50) to Halal-certified Ikan Goreng with Sambal Goreng Rice ($4.50) — you'll be spoilt for choice. Freshly squeezed Orange Juice ($2) and small snacks (from $1) are also available.
Avg price: $5 per person
Photo by Burppler Triffany Lim

Just across the road from Beauty World MRT Station is this homey Korean restaurant owned and run by Koreans — an indication that the food here is as authentic as it gets. If that isn't enough to convince you, here's another fact — the restaurant is usually packed with twice as many Korean patrons than Singaporeans so expect to wait around 20 minutes for a table during peak hours. When your body is in need of a soothing pot of spicy stew, be sure to order the Sundubu Jjigae ($10 for seafood) — a bubbling cauldron for one consisting of smooth tofu, vegetables and finished with a raw egg cracked in the middle, served with a side of rice. Their side dishes ('banchan' in Korean) like sausages, kimchi and omelette, are stellar. These are refillable till you're happily stuffed!
Avg price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See

This stall at Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre owns the title as the most pocket-friendly Xiao Long Bao stall amongst our Burpple community! Come with your colleagues after work and order a few sets of Xiao Long Bao ($5.50 for 10). As you wait, grab a seat nearby to watch them work their magic as they knead, stuff and fold the soup dumplings like clockwork. The translucent thin-as-paper dumpling skin traps hot soup inside, so don't be too eager to pop them right into your mouth. Another must-order is the Hong You Chao Shou ($4.50 for 10) that Burpple Tastemaker Michelle Kayla Tey strongly endorses — velvety smooth pork and prawn dumplings doused in a piquant reservoir of red chili oil and black vinegar!
Avg price: $10 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Peter Wong

This Western stall by night (it's a coffeeshop in the day) may only operate after 5pm, but its never-ending stream of customers is testament to how value-for-money the food is here. Regulars of The Carving Board know that its best to come as early as 5pm to snag a seat. Expect everything "western" you can think of — pasta, burgers, grilled meats and ribeye steaks, all reasonably priced below $20. The customisable Spaghetti (from $5) is what you should come for — al dente spaghetti tossed in your desired sauce (tomato, cream, spicy tomato or aglio olio) with choices for add-ons like Grilled Zucchini ($1), Smoked Duck ($3.50) and Seafood ($3.50). For heartier mains, the saucy Barbecue Pork Chop ($9) that comes with a side of salad greens and sauteed potatoes will fill you up just right.
Avg price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Emily S