12 beautiful food gems to cover all your Beauty World cravings

Those frequenting Beauty World would be familiar with Beauty World Food Centre and Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre as the most iconic BW food landmarks. Along with Cheong Chin Nam Road, the  Korean food and supper paradise, Beauty World leaves foodies spoilt for choice.

Like icing on the cake, Beauty World is located but a stone’s throw away from the Rail Corridor, Rifle Range Nature Park and Bukit Timah Hill. You’ll find that it’s the best place to refuel after getting your fill of the outdoors at any time of the day. 

Just in case you’re overwhelmed by all that Beauty World has to offer, here are 12 food gems to cover all your Beauty World cravings.

1. He Zhong Carrot Cake

Growing up, my Saturday morning visits to Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre would rarely go without a visit to He Zhong Carrot Cake (合眾菜頭粿).

The carrot cake here has an extremely nostalgic taste for me. While the price has gone up with inflation over the years, it remains an affordable S$3 for a big 2-block piece of carrot cake. They do sell larger portions of S$4 and S$5, but the $S3 is really more than enough.

It’s savoury, filling and with a great hae bee-filled chilli to top it all off; one can’t really ask for more when it comes to carrot cake. I especially love the bits of chai poh in their carrot cake, it gives a nice salty and umami kick.

Be sure to call and order in advance, or head down early as the stall always has a pretty long wait of at least 15 minutes for their carrot cake. They are so popular that they even occupy a second unit at #02-182 to speed up their cooking time!

Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo

51 Upper Bukit Timah Road,  Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre, #02-182/185, Singapore 588215
+65 8498 9211
Sat to Tue: 6am – 8pm
Wed: 6am – 1pm
Thu to Fri: 6am – 8.30pm

2. Juz Bake

Located in the same hawker centre as He Zhong Carrot Cake is Juz Bake. At first glance, you may think they’re just another neighbourhood bakery, but don’t be fooled.

Juz Bake houses delicious, flaky French bakes like croissants and kouign-amann, too. This charming hawker bakery is one of the few places you can get pastries for below S$3!

Juz Bake sells a huge array of both local bakes and more atas French offerings; you can see row after row just smiling at you when you head over to the store. If you’re lucky, you might even get some of the bakes fresh out of the oven.

For local favourites, Juz Bake has the all-star Butter Sugar Bun (S$1.70) and sweet-savoury Chicken Char Siew Bun (S$1.90). The hottest-selling items here, though, would no doubt be the French bakes like the Croissants (S$2). Extremely popular, the first batch of croissants sells out as early as 8am!

While the croissants are one of the most popular items here, my personal favourite is the Cranberry Scone (S$1.70 for 1, S$10 for 6). It is delightfully dense with a tender bite and goes great with butter and a cup of coffee in the morning. Even though I wouldn’t reach for most dried fruit, I really enjoy the Cranberry Scones from Juz Bake.

51 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Bukit Timah Market and Food Centre, #02-149, Singapore 588215
+65 8500 5660
Tue to Sun: 6am – 3pm
Closed on Mon

3. Top 1 Home Made Noodle

Beauty World Food Centre is a food treasure trove and I kid you not when I say Top 1 Home Made Noodle has an almost hypnotic effect on me… Just a week after my first taste of their noodles, I was back for more. The queue at the stall is imposing and stretches quite a distance (it’s the first thing you’ll see when you approach the hawker centre!).

You can fully customise your dish at Top 1 Home Made Noodle with choice of noodles, soup/no soup, ingredients and optional add-on ingredients. The Dry Ban Mian (S$5) with Meatball comes with a super aromatic mixture of dark soy sauce and chilli that coats the ultra QQ mian perfectly. Though the stall gives but a smidgen of their chilli, it packs quite the punch.

If you can take spice, Top 1 Home Made Noodle’s Tom Yum (S$5) soup base is not to be missed. Pair it with any choice of noodle and main ingredient (I recommend U Mian and prawn) to satisfy all your tom yum cravings. With a gut-wrenching heat that makes you come back begging for more, the thick broth is deadly but oh so savoury and delicious.

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Beauty World Food Centre, #04-44, Singapore 588177
+65 8338 4483
Thu to Tue: 11am to 6.30pm
Closed on Wed
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4. Chirashizushi Shou

If you’re at Beauty World, walk down a little further and you’ll land yourself at Bukit Timah Plaza — somewhere right between Beauty World and King Albert Park along the Downtown Line.

While you’re there, drop by Chirashizushi Shou, a cosy Japanese restaurant selling great, affordable sashimi dons, ramen and donburi. Specialising in chirashi and kaisen don, Chirashizushi Shou uses extremely fresh sashimi and has really generous portions, too.

Every don comes with a complimentary bowl of miso soup and salad with sesame dressing. Chirashizushi Shou’s classic Kaisen Don (S$20.90) has a great mix of thick-cut salmon, hamachi and hotate slices, and a sweet melt-in-the-mouth amaebi peeking out through the centre. The Kaisen Don comes topped with shiso and a generous portion of ikura for a pop of umami. If you’re not feeling that hungry, opt for the Mini Chirashi Don (S$11.90) that has an assortment of cubed sashimi, tamago and ikura.

The stall originally occupied one unit in the building, but has since expanded and now has two units, #B1-55A and #B1-60. I personally enjoy the vibe and atmosphere of the #B1-55A stall more; it is more retro and old school. If you have the time to spare, it’s definitely worth the wait.

1 Jalan Anak Bukit, Bukit Timah Plaza, #B1-55A & #B1-60,  Singapore 588996
+65 8810 4190
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5. Myung Ga (명가) II

Right next door to Chirashizushi Shou is Myung Ga (명가) II. Often packed with students, Myung Ga (명가) II sells authentic and affordable Korean food and is helmed by a Korean boss.

The family-style restaurant also sees plenty of Korean diners and has huge portions in contrast to their wallet-friendly prices.

I love the Haemul Buchu Jeon (S$20) (seafood leek pancake) at Myung Ga (명가) II. Perfectly crisp and loaded with plenty of seafood, this pancake is the go-to for many diners at the store.

The Haemul Sundubu (S$17) (seafood tofu stew) here is also a great hit. The huge portion comes with a bowl of rice and is packed with an assortment of prawns, clams, muscles and loads of tofu for a filling and nutritious meal.

To best enjoy Myung Ga (명가) II, visit the stall with a few friends so you can try a few of their dishes!

1 Jalan Anak Bukit, Bukit Timah Plaza, #B1-55, Singapore 588996
+65 6469 5123
Tue to Sun: 11.30pm – 4pm & 5.30pm – 9pm
Closed on Mon

6. Syiok

Nestled in Beauty World Food Centre like Top 1 Handmade Noodle lies Syiok. They sell a host of both old school handmade treats as well as a wide range of creative bakes.

Think egg tarts, but with fillings like taro and apple, tom yum puffs, and even mochi-filled puff pastry.

The bakes like the Taro Egg Tart (S$1.80) are certainly on the sweeter side, but worth a try for their novelty. The exceptional items here, though, would no doubt be the mochi puffs.

To get your hands on these elusive weekend-exclusive bakes from Syiok, you’ve gotta sacrifice some of your weekend shut eye. Auntie tells me that she typically sells out by 12pm. The Chocolate Mochi Puff (S$1.80) is stuffed to the brim with stretchy rice cake and molten chocolate.

The mochi here is on the liquidy side and with a silky-smooth mouthfeel, making it extra indulgent when paired with the rich chocolate filling. I’d say it’s an awesome reward for a tiring hike up Bukit Timah Hill.

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Beauty World Centre, #04-59, Singapore 588177
Tue to Sat: 9am – 4pm
Sun: 9am – 3pm
Closed on Mon
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7. Ajiya Okonomiyaki

Located along Jalan Jurong Kechil, a bus stop away from Beauty World, Ajiya Okonomiyaki hides in plain sight. As it blends in seamlessly with the other shops in the row, you’re unlikely to take a second glance if you’re not in the know.

Lining the walls of Ajiya Okonomiyaki are retro posters and the very layout of the joint is reminiscent of a typical Japanese izakaya, or even okonomiyaki house in Osaka. If you choose to take a seat in front of the grill, it’s almost like being whisked away to Japan.

While you can most definitely order as per usual, you also have the option to make your own DIY okonomiyaki. It’s a fun activity to do with friends and no worries if your cooking skills are not great — the staff have got your back!

In the true spirit of okonomiyaki (お好み焼き), which quite literally means “whatever you want grilled”, you can choose any 3 ingredients from the list in their menu to make the Ajiya Combo (S$18). As a meat lover, I find the bacon, prawn and tobiko combination extremely tempting.

If you’re going DIY, you can make use of the sauces like okonomiyaki sauce and mayo, as well as bonito flakes to top everything off. Otherwise, the okonomiyaki will come all dressed up and ready to devour.

Other than okonomiyaki, the sides like the Potato Cheese Mentai (S$12) are pure joy. Though it is simply sliced potatoes topped with mozzarella cheese and mentaiko sauce, there’s something about the dish that makes my inner child smile with glee.

Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo

104 Jalan Jurong Kechil, Singapore 598603
+65 6463 3461
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 2.15pm & 5.30pm – 9.15pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.15pm & 5pm – 9.15pm
Closed on Mon
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8. Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh

Bak Kut Teh fans would be well acquainted with the name Feng Xiang Bak Kut Teh. Head to the back of Beauty World Centre’s upper floor and you’ll be greeted by the enticing herbal fragrance of their BKT.

Feng Xiang is immensely popular for their KL-style herbal BKT, as well as their fried porridge.

Rather than the typical pepper BKT you can find left, right and centre in SG, Feng Xiang specialises in Herbal Bak Kut Teh (S$6.90/S$11.90). The soup is light and aromatic, and you can get a free refill if you dine in! The store also doesn’t hold back on the ingredients, so you really get bang for your buck.

The star of the stall for me, though, would be the fried porridge. For something special, try the Mixed Pig’s Organ Fried Porridge (S$5.90). This classic hits you with intense wok hei and has a wide array of well-cleaned pig organs in the silky porridge.

Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Beauty World Food Centre, #04-65, Singapore 588177
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 3pm & 4.30pm – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 3pm & 4.30pm – 8pm
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9. NO.5 Bukit Timah Live Bull Frog Claypot Porridge

While some may squirm at the idea of eating frogs, NO.5 Bukit Timah Live Bull Frog Claypot Porridge at Cheong Chin Nam Road might just change your mind.

Close an eye at the frog part and you’ll be in for a surprise. The frog porridge at NO.5 Bukit Timah Live Bull Frog Claypot Porridge is extremely comforting and delicious.

If you’ve never had frog before, it honestly tastes just like chicken, but is more tender. So, no fear of foreign textures here. The frogs at G7 Sinma Claypot come in claypots and you can choose the spicy, non-spicy or “mixed” option when ordering.

For 3 people, the Buy 2 Free 1 (S$17) or Buy 3 Free 2 (S$27) works out nicely. If you’re extra hungry, the Buy 4 free 3 (S$37) would be a great choice.  To this day, why the frogs are not just simply 3, 5 or 7 frogs is beyond me. But my best guess is that they’re playing on the fact that Singaporeans love free stuff (surprise, it works! Most people buy the medium or largest size, no matter what).

Give me a bowl of porridge and the Signature Tofu (S$8) from NO.5 Bukit Timah Live Bull Frog Claypot Porridge and I’d be happy to call it a day, any day. While it may appear a little oily, the golden fried tofu’s texture is soft and airy and it has a custardy interior. It melts in the mouth and the accompanying meat gravy is a godsend. Try it out and you’ll never look back.

Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo

5 Cheong Chin Nam Rd, Singapore 599730
+65 6467 7317
Daily: 10am – 3am

10. Al-Azhar

Night owls and supper fans would be no stranger to the iconic Al-Azhar. Also situated on Cheong Chin Nam Road, the stall is where you’re likely to find all the hungry students fueling up after a long day of studying or training.

While they are an Indian Muslim joint, they sell everything from Thai to Western food.

Best of all, if your hunger pangs hit late at night, Al-Azhar’s got you covered till 3am.

The Mutton Dum Biryani (S$11.90) here really hits the spot. Accompanied by dahl curry and yoghurt, the aromatic mutton biryani is extremely satisfying. The portion size is massive to boot, so the Mutton Dum Biyani can well feed 2 people or a very hungry 1.

A personal favourite would be the Prata Set Butter Chicken (with 2 plain prata) (S$12.90). The butter chicken masala here is not greasy at all and is filled with big chunks of juicy chicken. It’s the perfect supper fix.

Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo

For a list of addresses, contact numbers and opening hours, refer here.
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11. BBQ BOX

Yet another familiar face on the supper scene is BBQ Box. The store at the end of Cheong Chin Nam Road is hard to miss at night, even from afar. Its bright neon lights are like a party inviting you in.

For the unacquainted, BBQ Box sells an amazing assortment of chuan chuan or skewered food, and drinks that are perfect for both dinner and late-night bites.

For something savoury and juicy, the Grilled Bacon and Scallop Roll (S$6.80 for 2 pieces) is ultra satisfying, as is the Grilled Bacon Shrimp (S$6.80 for 2 pieces). Quite frankly, bacon can never go wrong but put it in chuan chuan and it’s pure bliss. Don’t miss the Grilled Potato Chip (S$2.80 for 3 sticks) — the thinly cut potato pieces are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.

And finally… who can forget the lamb chuan chuan at BBQ Box… Even my brother’s girlfriend who’s averse to the meat of the woolly animal that goes baa loves the Original Cumin Lamb (S$1.80 per piece) from here. The meat is very well-marinated and the spice completely masks any unpleasant gaminess.

Order Delivery: foodpanda

22 Cheong Chin Nam Road, Singapore 599746
+65 6463 2981
Mon to Fri: 2pm – 2am
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2am
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12. Better Days Cafe & Bar

A relatively new kid on the block, Better Days Cafe & Bar is strategically located at the corner of the 4th floor of Beauty World Centre. If you’re coming from Rifle Range to the food centre, the cafe will be the first thing you spot.

The ice-cold drinks like the eye-catching Peach Lavender Soda ($S6) are sure to refresh and cool you down after a good hike. On the especially hot afternoon that I visited, the Mixed Berry Earl Grey (Iced) ($S5.50) was just what I needed to escape from the heat. Slightly citrusy from the bergamot and not overly sweet, the drink quenched my thirst perfectly.

The Shepherd’s Pie (S$8.50) would also be a good option if you want to grab something quick.

You can look forward to cocktails and other alcoholic drinks at Better Days Cafe & Bar all day long. What better way to relax and unwind than sipping on a cold drink at this vibey spot?

144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Beauty World Food Centre,  #04-12A, Singapore 588177
+65 8806 0890
Tue to Fri: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 11pm
Closed on Mon
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