The Singapore Experience

I love the dignified restaurant setting, but the precious experience I had at Chinatown Food Centre was better. Rice tastes a little old, otherwise the soup is good. There's a free second soup refill, which is awesome!

Book a table in advance at this popular Bukit Merah zi char spot that is great for celebrations with friends. Get their signature Moonlight Hor Fun (from $7) that sees flat rice noodles fried with squid and lap cheong, and topped with a fresh raw egg yolk begging to be mixed in. Also good is their Salted Egg Crab ($60) with delicious gravy that you'll want to mop up with their Steamed Man Tou ($6 for 6 pieces). Complete your meal with the Mingzhu Roll ($2 per roll) and the Coffee Pork Ribs ($8). Since it's a celebration, bring your own wine (corkage at $5 per bottle!) to pair with the food!
Photo by Burppler Dave Tan

Keep this spot in mind for group outings. Go straight for the Nasi Ambeng ($29.90 for 2pax, $50.80 for 4 pax) that features a mountain of rice surrounded on all sides by bergedils, milky chicken curry and a succulent, slightly spicy rendang. Burppler Jayson Yeo recommends heading over before 8pm as the food sells out pretty early.
Photo by Burppler Vanessa Sng