11 family-friendly food spots in Tampines 1 that you need to know

After writing multiple listicles covering what’s there to eat in Tampines, including Tampines Mall and Century Square, I think the entire office will know by now that I grew up on this side of Singapore. There’s one last mall that I haven’t covered, and it’s my favourite one by far— Tampines 1.

Trendy and modern, Tampines 1 was completed in 2009, joining old-time favourites like Tampines Mall and Century Square at Tampines MRT. Spread over 5 storeys and 1 basement are approximately 176 retail and F&B stores, and it even has a rooftop water playground for kids to enjoy!

To complete the family-friendly experience, here are the 11 best food spots in Tampines 1 that you need to visit with your family.

1. Shabu Sai (#02-04)

In my humble opinion, one of the best family meals to ever exist is steamboat. This communal-style meal allows you and your loved ones to indulge in comforting soups and hearty ingredients, and the one place I’ve been heading to since I was a teen is Shabu Sai, which is located on the 2nd floor of Tampines 1.

Why Shabu Sai, you might ask? This shabu shabu restaurant is well-known for its affordable buffet, which offers a wide variety of soup bases and thinly sliced meat for you to eat your fill.

For a free-flow shabu shabu buffet, prices remain pretty wallet-friendly and start from S$18.99++ per pax for 70-min weekday lunches, and go up to S$27.99++ for 90-min weekend dinners. 

Apart from its free-flow meat options that span from chicken to beef and pork, Shabu Sai offers a myriad of hearty soups like sukiyaki, tonkotsu, tom yum miso and yuzu collagen. There are also monthly specials, like the tomato soup or pork bone papaya soup, so pick any 2 soup bases, top it up with ingredients from the bar, and go crazy with the buffet!

+65 6904 8861
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
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2. Fluff Stack (#01-31)

I remember when Fluff Stack first landed in Suntec City in 2019— it rocked the pancake world with its fluffy souffle pancakes that jiggled, wobbled and shook with every movement. 

Thanks to its popularity, it expanded to Northpoint City, Westgate, PLQ, and of course, Tampines 1 in April 2021. You’ll find it conveniently located on the 1st floor.

You really can’t go wrong with Fluff Stack’s Classic Premium (S$13.50), which features 2 souffle pancakes stacked on top of each other, honey butter, maple syrup and chantilly cream. Despite being fluffy and 100% jiggly, the souffle pancakes were denser than expected, reminding me of thick whipped cream rather than airy cotton wool.

Chocolate lovers, try Fluff Stack’s Hazelnut Chocolate (S$15) or Tiramisu (S$15), or if you’re craving something fruity, get the Strawberry Cheese (S$14.50) or Mango Passion Fruit (S$16.50). For adventurous eaters, you can even opt for its Musang King Durian (S$17.50)!

+65 8121 3166
Mon to Thu: 11am – 9.15pm
Fri: 11am – 9.45pm
Sat: 10.30am – 9.45pm
Sun: 10.30am – 9.15pm
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3. luckin’ coffee (#01-17/18)

Newly opened on 16 May 2023 is the hottest coffee chain to hit Singapore— luckin’ coffee, perfect for that midday caffeine fix while you’re out shopping with the family. You’ll see it right as you step out of Tampines MRT and head towards Tampines 1, as it’s conveniently located at the corner of the mall’s entrance at #01-17/18.

luckin’ coffee, also fondly known as “the Starbucks of China”, offers high quality coffee at decent prices. More interestingly, it promotes a cashier-less mode of ordering (they call it “rapid retail”) via its app, where you can browse its menu, order and make payment. The app will also prompt you once your order is ready for collection.

Here’s the best part: As part of its opening promo, luckin’ coffee is offering your first drink at a mere S$0.99 as long as you order via the app.

Though luckin’ coffee has your usual staples like Latte (S$7), Cappuccino (S$7) and Oolong Tea Latte (S$8), you might be interested to check out its unique range of fruit and tropical-inspired flavours.

Speaking as someone who loves her cold brew and kopi o kosong, luckin’ coffee’s Coconut Latte (S$8) surprised me with its refreshing creaminess, which complemented the roasted nuttiness from the coffee. You can also try its Creamy Dreamy Latte (S$8), which uses flavoured thick milk for a richer texture.

Try its new Fruity Americano series, such as its Iced Coconut Americano (S$7) and iced Pomelo Americano (S$7), which pairs coconut water and pomelo respectively with single origin espresso from Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia.

Daily: 10am – 10pm
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4. iSTEAKS (#04-04/05)

Craving a good ol’ steak but you’re strapped for cash? iSTEAKS has always been my go-to alternative. This popular steakhouse is known for its value-for-money quality cuts and plentiful sides, making your meal incredibly customisable.

The options at iSTEAKS are aplenty— some might even say it’s too many! 

For the most affordable cuts of beef, go for the New Zealand Silver Fern Char-grilled Striploin (S$26) or New Zealand Silver Fern Char-grilled Ribeye (S$29.50). If you’re feeling up for it, try iSTEAKS’ Australia Bass Strait Steakhouse Char Striploin (from S$35) or even the T-Bone Steakhouse Char (S$56 for 400g).

There are even more affordable options, such as the Boneless Thigh Fillet (Poultry, Char-grilled 200g), which starts from S$15 depending on your choice of gravy. Remember— all mains come with your choice of 2 sides, so feel free to pick from crowd favourites like Mac & Cheese, Cream Spinach with Parmesan and Baked Potato.

+65 6285 8839
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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5. Zhang Liang Mala Tang (#01-58)

Speaking as a mala lover (I will seriously eat mala xiang guo for every meal if I could— just ask anyone), Zhang Liang Mala Tang is quickly becoming one of my favourite mala tang spots because of its wide array of ingredients and addictive, creamy mala soup that always hits the spot.

You’ll find Zhang Liang near the taxi stand at Tampines 1, next to PlayMade.

Rather than typically oily renditions of most mala soups, Zhang Liang Mala Tang’s Mala Soup is creamy, nutty and delightfully numbingly spicy. To some extent, its consistency even reminds me of laksa— just much spicier, robust and fragrant. And though I’m someone who prefers mala xiang guo, Zhang Liang’s Mala Soup was enough to win me over after a single sip. 

What I love about Zhang Liang is that all its ingredients are priced the same at S$2.98 per 100g, so feel free to pick from fan favourites like Lotus Root, Quail Egg, Pork Belly, Potato Slices, Black Fungus, various Meatballs, Enoki Mushrooms and so much more. 

As the spice sauces are added separately via the condiment counter at the side, feel free to let the staff do it for you— unless you’d like to try your hand at tweaking your own versions of xiao la, zhong la or da la, of course.

+65 6970 0689
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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6. Lau Wang Claypot Delights (#03-16)

Lau Wang Claypot Delights has grown immensely since it first started out in 2012 in a small coffee shop in Yishun. Offering homely zi char-style food in claypots, this home-grown brand can now be found all over Singapore, including Serangoon, Punggol, Bugis+ and now, on the 3rd floor of Tampines 1.

Lau Wang Claypot Delights’ dishes are perfect for sharing with the entire family, and this is exactly what makes it a perfect place to head to for a fuss-free night out with your loved ones.

Pick from crowd favourites like Sesame Chicken (S$6.30 for small, S$8.30 for large), Sambal Seafood (S$10.50), Frog Leg Herbal Soup (from S$9.50), Qing Long Vegetable with Beansprouts (S$7.50), Eggplant with Minced Meat (from S$6.30) and Super Mala Chicken (S$7.80).

To complete the experience, be sure to order Lau Wang’s Homemade Ngoh Hiang (S$6 for 2 rolls) and Homemade Luo Han Guo with Longan (S$2.50 per cup)!

+65 9001 0814
Daily: 11am – 9.45pm
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7. TANYU (探鱼) (#04-06/07/08)

Head to the 4th floor at Tampines 1 to find TANYU (探鱼). This restaurant can be found in 72 major cities in mainland China and it’s well loved for its amazing grilled fish. Currently, TANYU has over 5 outlets in Singapore.

What I especially like about TANYU is its communal-style dining, where the entire family can dig into a whole plate of piping hot grilled fish together.

The ordering process at TANYU can be broken down into 3 steps. 

First, pick your choice of fish from options like Sea Bass (S$47.90), Qing Jiang Fish (S$51.90) and Limbo Fish (S$48.90). Then, you’ll get to select your soup/gravy flavour from 8 choices such as Grilled Fish with Fresh Green Pepper, Chongqing Grilled Fish with Beancurd, Hot Spicy with Pepper Flavour and Grilled Fish with Seven Ingredients.

Last but not least, just like most mala dishes, add whichever accompanying ingredients you’d like, such as Luncheon Meat (S$5.50), Potato (S$4.50), Lotus Root (S$4.50), Konjac Noodles (S$4.50) and Bamboo Shoot Slices (S$4.50).

+65 6908 5708
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
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8. Tun Xiang (#03-K1)

Sprouting up on the 3rd floor of Tampines 1 is Tun Xiang. This casual eatery specialises in Iberico pork, and before you think the prices will be exorbitant given its choice of exquisite meat, Tun Xiang aims to offer it at a reasonable price point. In fact, its concept is that “everyone can afford to taste the Iberico pork”.

At Tun Xiang, the star of the show is the roasted meats, which are available in both rice and noodle options. 

Its Signature Iberico Pork Belly Char Siew Rice/Noodles (S$8.50 for medium, S$11.50 for large) comes with tender char siew that’s said to have a good fat-to-meat ratio. For a better crisp, Tun Xiang’s Crispy Roasted Chestnut Pork Rice/Noodles (S$8.50 for medium, S$11.50 for large) will be sure to satisfy.

For those dining with the family, Tun Xiang offers meat platters too, like Crispy Roasted Chestnut Pork + Signature Iberico Pork Belly Char Siew (S$12.50 for 200gsm), and addictive side dishes like Crispy Chicken Wing (S$10), Squid (Sotong) in Salted Egg Yolk Custard Sauce (S$14) and Sweet and Sour Iberico Pork (S$12).

Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 10pm
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9. Streats Cafe (#B1-05)

Halal-certified Streats Cafe is nestled in the basement of Tampines 1, and it’s a popular spot for families to head to for Asian cuisine ranging from Hong Kong, Macau to Indonesian food. 

In my opinion, this is great for families or large groups as everyone will be able to pick from a vast selection of items, spanning dim sum, noodles, rice, pasta and Chinese food.

The options and combinations are endless at Streats Cafe. There’s the classic and comforting Nissin Noodle w Chicken Luncheon Meat & Egg (S$8.50), as well as more Western options such as XO Cream Sauce Pasta w Beef Balls (S$12.80). 

For those looking for a spicy kick, try Streats Cafe’s Ayam Penyet Set (S$12.50) or Spicy Dry Korean Noodle w Fried Chicken (S$9.80). And of course, for the Instagram-worthy touch, order Streats Cafe’s French toast sets, such as its Chocolate Craze French Toast w Ice Cream (S$8.80) or French Toast w Peanut Butter & Condensed Milk (S$7.20).

Perfect for the kids or young teens is Cheese Baked Riced w Seafood/Chicken Chop (S$14.80), and before you leave, remember to get its Streats Chendol (S$7.80) or Iced Milk Tea w Grass Jelly (S$4.80)!

+65 6509 8108
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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10. Hong Kong Sheng Kee Dessert (#B1-K12)

Those familiar with Hong Kong Sheng Kee Dessert will be familiar with this staple, which has existed in the basement of Tampines 1 for years. This quaint and cosy eatery sells authentic Hong Kong-style desserts, snacks and main dishes, and it’s the ideal place for a fuss-free and filling meal with the family.

From Steamed Chicken Feet (S$3.90) to the Signature Premium Siew Mai (S$3.90 for 3pcs), Hong Kong Sheng Kee Dessert dishes out quality and affordable dim sum, perfect for a breakfast or a midday snack. 

Looking for a fuller meal? Hong Kong Sheng Kee Dessert’s HK Braised Beef Brisket Rice (S$9.50), Hong Kong Style Pork Chop Rice (S$7.90) and Braised Pork Belly with Mui Choy Rice (S$7.90) should be right up your alley. There are also traditional HK noodle options like Signature HK Wanton Soup Noodle (S$7.30).

Need something cold to offset the sweltering heat? Grab a bowl of its SK Mango Pomelo Sago (S$5.50) and Iced Milk Tea (S$3.50), and you’re all set.

+65 6483 8123
Daily: 11am – 9pm
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11. Gelare (#04-K2/K3)

Gelare holds a special spot in my heart. I’ve dined at this classic ice cream and waffles parlour since I was a child, and I always looked forward to Tuesdays because that’s when it’d have 50% off Classic Waffles.

One thing I really appreciate about Gelare is that it uses all-natural ice cream and freshly baked waffles. Originating from Australia, this brand’s ice cream uses higher cream and 0% air content for a richer texture.

For an all-rounded dessert, get Gelare’s classic Banana Split (S$18). This all-time favourite comes with 3 scoops of ice cream, a banana, fresh whipped cream and a drizzle of Gelare’s signature chocolate fudge. 

This one is for the kids— Gelare offers many types of sundaes that’ll be sure to satisfy your child’s sweet tooth, in flavours such as Caramel Biscoff Swirl (S$13.50), Choco Bomb (S$12.90), Strawberry Pop (S$15.20) and Sundae Paradise (S$14.50).

Are you a purist? Order Gelare’s Waffle Fruit Platter (S$29.90) or grab its classic Fruits Medley (S$18.90), which features mixed fruits on a classic waffle, drizzled with maple sauce, and served with a single scoop of ice cream.

+65 6789 0603
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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