12 hidden gems in Bukit Batok that make travelling to the West worth it
When considering dining options in the West, popular foodie spots like Bukit Timah or Holland V often come to mind. But did you know that Bukit Batok has plenty of food gems, too? Yes, Bukit Batok, the MRT stop right next to Jurong East, and also where you’re likely to pass by to get to BBDC.
I dare say Bukit Batok may very well have one of the best wanton mee and hokkien mee in the West. If I’ve so piqued your interest, here are 12 hidden gems in Bukit Batok that make travelling to the West worth it.
1. Ramen Taisho
Ramen Taisho is a hole-in-the-wall Japanese eatery located amongst the abundance of F&B outlets in Le Quest Mall at Bukit Batok West Avenue 6. Established in Jan 2022, this cosy eatery serves various kinds of ramen, tsukemen, mazemen, an assortment of sides and a selection of tea-centric beverages. Before that, they operated as a Japanese hawker stall located at Maxwell Food Centre.
With upbeat J-POP tunes in the air coupled with Japanese-inspired vintage posters adorning the walls, you’ll instantly feel transported to the alleys of Japan, if only for a moment.
The noodles here are handcrafted in-house using flour imported from the Land of the Rising Sun. Patrons can help themselves to free-flow spicy marinated bean sprouts, pickled ginger and barley tea.
The menu features 6 kinds of ramen with the option to upgrade to a Deluxe Bowl (DX) for an additional S$3 which has extra toppings of 1 seaweed, 1/2 egg and 2 chashus. I tried the DX Black Tonkotsu Ramen (S$15.80) which had ramen crowned with pieces of pork collar, pork loin, pork belly, seaweed and a whole onsen egg (cut in half).
The tonkotsu broth was both delicate and flavourful, with nuances of black garlic. It didn’t feel so jelak on the palate compared to other conventional tonkotsu broths. The noodles and meats were of good quality and cooked perfectly.
One of the star items on the menu is definitely the Karaage (S$6.80). The pieces of chicken thigh are marinated for 24 hours and battered à la minute upon ordering. The meat is incredibly juicy and since it’s coated in Japanese-quality potato flour, you’ll also enjoy a delicate potato flavour.
Save some stomach for dessert and indulge in their homemade Caramel Pudding (S$4.80) which boasts subtle roasted notes.
As for beverages, try the Duck Shit Fragrance (S$3) (yes, that’s its name), an Oolong blend featuring floral honey and longan notes from Chaoshan, China. Another noteworthy option is the Misty Dragon (S$3), a green tea variant with nutty, chestnut, honey and orchid notes.
4 Bukit Batok Street 41, Le Quest Mall, #01-12, Singapore 657991
+65 8886 3228
Daily: 12pm – 9pm
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2. Famous JB 101
WCEGA Tower at Bukit Batok Crescent houses Famous JB 101, an 8-year-old establishment serving Malaysian-style zi char with a delightful twist of entertainment. This al fresco dining spot is truly a hidden gem in the West. It is spacious and breezy, with a rustic vibe to it.
The owners embarked on this business fueled by their passion for JB cuisine, frequently crossing the border to savour crab dishes. With a kitchen staffed by chefs hailing from across the causeway, you can be confident that the food here is authentically Malaysian.
One of the bestsellers include the Signature Crab Bee Hoon (Seasonal Price), which has a whole poached crab doused in a sweet and umami-filled crab broth. The Fragrant Garlic Pork Ribs with Honey (S$16/S$25) is a showstopper with tender, fall-off-the-bone meat perfumed with aromatic garlic and hints of sweet honey.
The Claypot White Pepper Chicken with Goji Wolfberries (S$18/S$28) is a hearty, peppery broth that’s scented with Chinese wine. It’s filled with tender chicken, mushrooms, wolfberries, ginger strips and tofu skin; perfect for a cold, rainy evening.
Also, don’t forget to give the Salted Egg Bittergourd (S$14/S$19) a go. These crispy morsels are sure to win over even those who aren’t fans of bitter gourd. Seafood fans should go for the Chilli Crab (Seasonal Price) or the Power Black Pepper Crab (Seasonal Price) (featuring special peppercorns imported from Sarawak).
At Famous JB 101, every guest enjoys complimentary unlimited ice cream from 5pm – 11pm daily. On weekends, a highly-entertaining roving magician with 5-star raving reviews moves from table-to-table, keeping you entertained. There’s also a mini playground and a plethora of toy vehicles to keep your kids happily occupied as they explore (and you dine).
If you’re in the mood to let your hair down, there’s also a choice of beers available, including Asahi draught beer, Heineken and Carlsberg.
Above all, there are no GST or service charges at this establishment! Undoubtedly, a remarkable discovery in the West! You won’t be disappointed.
21 Bukit Batok Crescent, Wcega Tower, Singapore 658065
+65 6909 7716
Daily: 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 11pm
45 Science Park Road, Sparkle, Science Park II, #01-03/04, Singapore 117407
+65 9223 3707
Daily: 11am – 11pm
11 Changi North Street 1, Lixin Food Court, #01-04, Singapore 498823
+65 8541 1048
Daily: 11am – 11pm
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3. Laifaba
While a not-so-hidden-gem, Laifaba deserves a worthy mention. Like finding a rose among the thorns, you’ll find Laifaba in the middle of a bunch of office buildings crowding the area. The ambience here is particularly reminiscent of the 1990s with all sorts of decor that will take you back in time.
Their absolute must-try would be the Laifaba Signature Dry Tossed Noodles (S$11.90). The sauce of the wanton mee here has a gentle, smoky sweetness and it coats the springy noodles very well. The noodles have a good texture to them and everything from the wanton down to the vegetables are perfectly put together.
The truly remarkable thing about Laifaba, though, would be their char siew. The perfectly caramelised, tender char siew melts away in your mouth and is nothing like any char siew I have tried elsewhere.
Price and obscure location aside, Laifaba is an easy 5 stars: definitely not to be missed if you’re ever in Bukit Batok.
71 Bukit Batok Crescent, Prestige Centre, #02-02, Singapore 658071
+65 9181 6383
Tue to Sun: 11am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 9pm
Closed on Mon
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4. The Neighbourwok
For the wet hokkien mee lovers, The Neighbourwok is for you. Their divine hokkien mee is sure to fix your cravings, and leave you wanting to come back for more.
The hokkien mee here is S$5/S$6/S$8 a plate, though the S$5 portion will more than suffice. While the store sells Satay, too, their star dish is really the hokkien mee. The wok hei here, while present, is not overpowering and there is a perfect balance of delicious prawn stock to noodles for their version of this dish.
The crew of thinly-cut pork belly, prawns, crunchy pork lard, sotong and house-made sambal come together in pure deliciousness. If you love lard, you’ll also be pleased to find that they don’t hold back on that.
To avoid the lunch and dinner crowd (mind you, it’s quite the queue), be sure to head down early to secure your spot in line! Also, be prepared to come out of the coffee shop smelling like the incarnation of hokkien mee itself… the smell really lingers.
Order Delivery: foodpanda
177 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Get Together Coffeeshop, Singapore 650177
+65 9225 5204
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm & 4pm – 8.30pm
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5. Éla
Did you know that there’s a Greek food spot tucked away in Bukit Batok? That’s right! Éla serves up dishes that’ll whisk you away to the Mediterranean, and for a fairly reasonable price.
In true Mediterranean spirit, do try out the fish at Éla, like their Whole Seabass (S$36.90). Seasoned with a harmonious blend of olive oil, oregano, sea salt and drenched in lemon ganda, the fish here will make any fish hater change their mind.
If you come to Éla as a group (or even if you’re alone), a must-order would no doubt be their Dip Party Platter (S$23). It comes with 4 different dips: Greek yoghurt dip, Tzatziki, Tirokafteri, and Melitzanosalata.
The Melitzanosalata at Éla is nothing short of magical. The medley of flavours in the Melitzanosalata from a blend of charred eggplant, red bell peppers and garlic seasoned with paprika and white grape vinegar is particularly addictive.
If you’ve never had Greek food in Singapore, let Éla be your first.
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
2 Bukit Batok West Avenue 7, #01-07, Singapore 659003
+65 8816 9418
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 10pm
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6. Tian Tian Chi Su
Tian Tian Chi Su, the rebirth of the immensely popular Thunder Tree serves up a mean lei cha kolo mee in Bukit Batok West.
Don’t be fooled by its plain appearance: the Lei Cha Kolomee (S$5.50) from Tian Tian Chi Su is sure to leave you feeling ultra-satisfied. While it does not contain any meat (as expected of a vegetarian store), the richness of the broth makes the dish extremely indulgent. The addition of their house-made chilli adds an additional spicy kick that blends beautifully with the earthy, herbal notes of the soup.
I recommend adding another bowl of Lei cha Soup (S$2) for the full experience. Even if you’re neither vegetarian nor vegan, Tian Tian Chi Su is a definite gem of a store.
155 Bukit Batok Street 11, BROADWAY Coffee Shop, #01-322, Singapore 650155
+65 9839 6008
Wed to Mon: 7.30am – 3pm
Closed on Tue
7. Bao Fa Traditional Food 宝发传统小食
Comforting and extremely nostalgic, there’s just something about digging into a pot of claypot rice. Bao Fa Traditional Food (宝发传统小食) serves up this delicious dish along with other comfort food like BCM to chase the Monday blues away.
I must confess, other than their Claypot Rice (S$8/S$15/S$20), I have yet to try the other dishes at Bao Fa Traditional Food (宝发传统小食). I can’t attest to the quality of everything else, but the claypot rice here always hits the spot.
Even without additional dark soy sauce, the rice is extremely flavourful from the generous ingredients. I just love scraping down the claypot near the end of my meal, too. The crispy rice bits are pure bliss.
When in a hurry, be sure to call the store to order in advance: even their dabao claypot rice is absolutely delicious.
283 Bukit Batok East Avenue 3, Singapore 650283
+65 6561 0607
Fri to Wed: 11.30am – 9pm
Closed on Thu
8. Shi Mei Hainanese Chicken Rice
Take a closer look and you’ll find that Shi Mei Hainanese Chicken Rice is not your ordinary chicken rice store. They have a variety of unique side dishes like sesame chicken and Thai-style tofu.
For something other than your standard roast or steam chicken, definitely try out the Sesame Chicken Rice (S$5.80). It comes coated in loads of white sesame seeds and is fried to golden perfection. The combination of sweet sauce and the nutty aroma of the sesame chicken is quite the standout.
If you want to play it safe, though, reach for their Steam/Roast Chicken Rice (S$4.80) instead. The chicken meat is ultra tender and sure to be a crowd pleaser.
371 Bukit Batok Street 31, Sin Huat Lee Restaurant, #01-326, Singapore 650371
+65 9386 8986
Daily: 9.30am – 7pm
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9. Mian Wang 1971
Tucked away in a nondescript coffee shop, Mian Wang 1971 serves up hokkien mee, but with a twist! Unlike your typical hokkien mee, the one from Mian Wang 1971 comes with unique “sides” like salted egg and even sambal pork belly.
The unusual pairing of hokkien mee and delightfully crispy salted egg calamari in their Salted Egg Calamari Hokkien Mee (S$6.50) is not to be missed. The hokkien mee itself is on the drier side, with ultra thick and shiok gravy that is full of wok hei.
The crispy calamari is rich and buttery from the salted egg batter and goes surprisingly well with the heavier taste of the hokkien mee. If you’re an adventurous soul, the Sambal Balacan Hokkien Mee (S$6.50) really zhngs up the classic dish to the max. The spicy sambal and smoky pork belly gives an additional kick to the dish like no other.
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
537 Bukit Batok Street 52, Singapore 650537
+65 9797 5077
Tue to Sun: 10.45am – 3pm
Closed on Mon
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10. Xiang Mei Roasted Meat
I love Xiang Mei Roasted Meat not only for its location (a 2 minute walk from the MRT), but also its delicious char shao shao rou fan. At lunch time, you’ll see a snaking queue in front of the store, and for good reason. Their food is both delicious and generous in size.
My go-to order here is always their Char Siew Roasted Meat Rice (S$5) aka their char shao shao rou fan. While not the crispiest shao rou or the most tender char siew, everything comes together perfectly on the S$5 plate. I especially love the combination of their dark sauce and house-made chilli with my meal.
If you dine at the store, you’ll get a complimentary bowl of soup, which is an additional S$1 for takeaway! The soup changes almost everyday, but I love their ABC soup in particular. Sometimes, you might get peanut or winter melon soup, so it really gives you bang for your buck.
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
Bukit Batok Central, Block 640, Singapore 650640
+65 9450 1941
Daily: 8.30am – 8.30pm
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11. Orang Orang Cafe
It would be a crime to single out just one store in Orang Orang Cafe, so I’ve listed the whole coffee shop here. The special thing about Orang Orang Cafe is that they are a fully halal coffee shop with a wide variety of halal renditions of various cuisines!
From Vietnamese to Western, Orang Orang Cafe will leave our halal foodie friends spoiled for choice.
If you’re craving Vietnamese food, Lilly Norhana Vietnamese Muslim Cuisine has Banh Mi Bo (S$6 for beef, S$5 for chicken) and even Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup) for S$7.30. The Mee Soto (S$4.50) from Milah’s Corner is also a hot fan favourite — the queue at the store can get rather intense.
Of course, who can forget the Kacang Pool (S$4) from Ayam Penyet Obek? Seasoned with plenty of spices, the ultra comforting bean-based dish comes with an old-school bakery style baguette. Surely for those that grew up eating this dish, it’ll be a rather nostalgic experience.
134 Bukit Batok West Avenue 6, Block 134, Singapore 650134
Daily: 7am – 10.30pm
12. Viet Corner
If you are a fan of beef noodles, Viet Corner will be your new favourite joint. Hidden behind a pillar in a HDB coffee shop, Viet Corner sells a wide range of delicious and affordable Vietnamese fare.
The Special Beef Pho (Pho Dac Biet) (S$6.50) is loaded with a variety of super tender cuts of beef, as well as beef balls. The light and flavourful soup goes great with the provided lime that gives a tangy kick.
When I’m craving non-soup noodles that’s not BCM or WTM, the Rice Vermicelli Noodle With Grilled Pork (Bun Thit Nuong) (S$5) is a no-brainer choice. It is loaded with shredded vegetables, meat and an extremely moreish fish sauce-based dressing. It’s extremely nutritious too — so what’s there not to love?
Order Delivery: Deliveroo
217 Bukit Batok Street 21, Singapore 650217
+65 8222 9928
Daily: 10am – 9pm
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