15 makan places in Punggol to check out with your friends

Punggol is known to be one of the youngest HDB towns in Singapore. It has tons of new HDB flats, the longest man-made waterway, a network of LRT stations connecting the whole infrastructure, shopping malls, and so much more! It’s a stark contrast compared to the old Punggol I knew when I was a kid— densely forested areas and sparse private housing.

With the easing of restrictions by our government, I’m sure you’ve started organising gatherings with friends over good food and drinks again. From coffeeshops to modern cafes and bistros, I hope these 15 makan places in Punggol to check out with your friends will give you ideas on where to hold your next get together, depending on your budget and preference.

1. Otoko Ten Ten

You don’t have to travel all the way to Waterway Point for your dose of chirashi dons, sashimi and sushi maki rolls. Located at Edgedale plains at a kopitiam, you can have a good Japanese meal with your buddies at Otoko Ten Ten.

Order the Chirashi 6 kinds (S$12) which contains salmon, tuna, hamachi (yellow tail), mekajiki (swordfish), and tako (octopus)— two slices each for everything, coupled with one cooked prawn, a bunch of tobiko roe, pickled ginger and wasabi atop a bed of sushi rice at the bottom.

Under the Gunkan Sushi section of Otoko Ten Ten’s menu, they offer various kinds of sushi like their Kani Mayo (S$3 for 2) and Salmon & Avocado (S$4 for 2)— for those craving some sushi.

Otoko Ten Ten also has various sushi maki rolls like the California Maki (S$9) and Unagi Maki (S$12)— Sushi filled with unagi, cucumber and egg garnished with pork floss and tobiko mayonnaise.

660a Edgedale Plains, Food Village 饮食村, Singapore 821660                        
+65 9862 7740                                                                              
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9pm                                                               
Fri to Sat: 11am – 9.30pm
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2. Vibes Cafe @ Punggol 

Located at Punggol Town Square at the extreme corner of Waterway Point, Vibes Cafe @ Punggol is a joint venture together with Kiztopia Kids Club, which is a playground for kids— perfect for friends who want some alone time with each other, away from their kids.

Their menu has a wide selection of Asian and Western fare. Enjoy small bites like Spam Fries (S$14) or indulge in their All-Day Breakfast (S$18)— consisting of creamy scrambled eggs, two slices of garlic bread, two pieces of sausages, baked beans, sauteed mushrooms, bacon and a side of green salad.

If your buddies want to chill with some booze, Vibes Cafe also has a bar serving all kinds of beers on tap, Italy premium wines, Korean soju and Japanese sake. Order their Kirin Frozen Beer Snowy Float (S$6 for half pint, S$11 for full pint), which has various flavours like lychee, pineapple and yuzu.

Vibes Cafe has another branch located at Westgate Mall. More information is available here.

85 Punggol Central, #01-01, Singapore 828726
+65 8868 2288
Daily : 11am – 9.30pm
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3. Leong Ji Seafood

Previously located at The Punggol Settlement, Leong Ji Seafood is now located within a HDB void deck at Waterway Sunray at a kopitiam, near Kadaloor LRT Station. You and your buddies can check out their wide variety of seafood and zi char dishes. Order their Curry Hor Fun (S$6 for small): hor fun served with seafood and meat, drenched in a smokey curry sauce. You can also share their Cuttlefish With Kangkong (S$12 for small)— good enough for two to three pax.

This towering dish is a unique twist to the traditional dish, featuring tempura-battered kangkong, cuttlefish, cucumber and green mango strips, crispy yam, shredded turnips and fried tau pok drenched in rojak sauce and grounded peanuts— very delicious!

Leong Ji Seafood also has various interesting dishes like their Beancurd With Salted Egg (S$10 for small), Blackcurrant Fried Pork Rib (S$15 for small) and “Snow Flake” Sotong (S$12 for small).

Be prepared to wait especially on weekends, as it can get quite popular and seating is limited.

Blk 658 Punggol East, Waterway Sunray, #01-10, Singapore 820658
+65 9026 1882
Daily: 11am – 2.30pm & 4.30pm – 11pm
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4. Whisk & Paddle

Chill out with Whisk & Paddle‘s all-day breakfast and delectable mains over a good cup of coffee with your friends, with tranquil riverfront views that will instantly get your relax mode on. If you’re heading there at night, you can enjoy a nice cold beer at their veranda, under the stars. They have recently gone through renovations, and are back with a new refreshed look with some changes in their menu.

Indulge in their Norwegian Trout (S$28.80) or Eggs Benedict (S$16.80)— two poached eggs atop a half waffle with a choice of smoked salmon, honey baked ham, thick-cut bacon or sauteed mushrooms.

If pasta is your jam, I’d recommend their Beef Stroganoff Pasta (S$20.80)— linguine tossed in a rich creamy sauce, served with tender beef chunks and mushrooms. This is my personal favourite dish to order whenever I’m here!

You can also visit Whisk & Paddle’s other branch at Bukit Gombak Park.

For a list of locations, contact numbers and opening hours, refer here.
+65 6242 4617
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5. Slappy Cakes

Located at Northshore Plaza, Slappy Cakes originates from Portland, Oregon and was introduced in Singapore back in 2013. It offers a selection of pastas like Spaghetti Beef Bolognese (S$17) or main dishes like Pacific White Fish and Chips (S$23).

With built-in griddles at each table, the make-your-own (MYO) dining concept allows you and your friends to have a fun dining experience creating your own pancakes. Slappy Cakes flavoured batters like Pandan and Chocolate (S$8.50 per bottle). Choose from a variety of condiments like Toasted Almonds (S$1.80), Strawberry (S$3) and Granola (S$2.50), together with sauces— Raspberry Jam (S$2.50) and 100% Maple Syrup (S$3.50).

They even have savoury options like Roasted Mushrooms (S$3) and Cheddar Cheese (S$2). Get creative and invent all sorts of weird combinations if you want— no one is stopping you from having fun!

If pancakes are not your thing, they also offer a DIY Okonomiyaki set (S$27) which consists of buttermilk batter, cabbage, spring onion, prawn, squid, chicken ham, mayonnaise and Okonomiyaki Sauce. Create your very own savoury pancake and remember to take pictures for memory.

418 Northshore Drive, Northshore Plaza II, Singapore 820418
+65 6992 2992
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 10pm
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6. Sugartown

Sugartown is a petite cafe nestled below a HDB void deck offering waffles, gelato and coffee. They are located near Kandaloor LRT Station at the Waterway Sunray area. Engage in great conversations while enjoying a cup of Iced Mocha (S$5.50) or Cappuccino (S$4.50).

For non-caffeine drinkers, do not worry. Their Chocolate Affogato (S$7.40) features a single scoop of gelato that’s drowned in hot chocolate or try out their Root Beer Float (S$7.40)— a classic drink from one of my favourite fast-food joints.

Their waffles come in different flavours like Original, Charcoal and Red Velvet (S$3.90 for single and S$7.60 for double), and you may pair them with your favourite gelato flavours. Their gelato comes in Classic (S$3.90 per scoop) or Premium (S$4.90 per scoop) flavours— like Chocolate 85%, Italian White Truffle and Yuzu.

If you and your friends have an urge for a round of gaming, you can purchase tokens and engage in a game of space invaders inside Sugartown, with their very own arcade machine located inside the cafe!

658 Punggol East, Waterway Sunray, #01-08, Singapore 820658
For their menu & opening hours, click here.
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7. Isshin Machi

With travel restrictions still imposed for Taiwan, I’m sure most of you miss the sights, sounds and food in Taiwan. Isshin Machi is a Taiwanese eatery which has four locations around Singapore. You and your buddies can check out the outlet in Punggol that’s located at the basement of Waterway Point to curb some of your Taiwanese cravings.

If you’re a fan of fried food like me, be sure to order their Hakka-style Golden Fried Chicken (S$6.90) or Golden Fried Tempura (S$6.50). Both dishes are derived from popular street food items sold at local Taiwanese night markets— I miss them so much!

Try their mains like Hakka-style Braised Meat Rice (S$9) and Signature Taiwanese Braised Beef Noodles (S$12), and perhaps plan your next vacation to Taiwan when the borders open.

83 Punggol Central, Waterway Point, B2-04, Singapore 828761
+65 9660 8204
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
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8. Fat Po

If Western-Asian fusion food is right up your alley, visit Fat Po. They are located next to their sister outlet, Whisk & Paddle (also in this list). With the extensive choices in their menu ranging from starters, exciting mains and desserts, be prepared to be spoiled for choice.

Fat Po replaces the traditional burger buns for their signature bolo buns, which are popular sweet buns in Hong Kong. Savour their Har Chiong Chicken Bolo Burger (S$19.80) or Masala Breaded Fish Bolo Burger (S$19.80)— deep fried fish fillet with masala breadcrumbs, sambal mayo, shredded cucumber, tomato, lettuce, fries and side salad.

There are also various sharing plates that you can share with your friends, like Miso Butter Corn (S$9.80), Deep-Fried Chicken Skin (S$9.80) and HCG Wings (S$11.80)— crispy har chiong (prawn paste) chicken wings served with Fat Po’s belachan chilli.

10 Tebing Lane, #01-05/06, Singapore 828836
+65 6244 4505
For operating hours, click here.
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9. Buey Tahan Sea Food

Catching up with friends doesn’t always have to happen at air-conditioned restaurants or bistros. The best conversations can also happen at kopitiams. Buey Tahan Sea Food is a quaint seafood stall located at Foodgle, 308C Punggol Walk, that sells halal all-day English breakfast sets at a coffeeshop. 

Between 8am to 1pm daily (not all-day afterall), they offer breakfast sets like their Champion’s Breakfast (S$11.50) and Chicken Sausage (S$7)— a slice of buttered toast, fluffy scrambled eggs, baked beans, garden salad, sausages and hashbrowns. You can also head down after 1pm and try their wide selections of zi char and other seafood dishes together with your buddies— if waking up early is not your thing.

Buey Tahan Sea Food also has a restaurant at Downtown East and a few other stalls located at coffeeshops around Singapore.

308C Punggol Walk, Foodgle, #01-308, Singapore 823308
+65 97733983
Daily: 8am – 10.30pm
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10. Ajumma

Ajumma’s at Waterway Point is a casual Korean eatery that was established in 2014. They specialise in serving hearty, delicious Korean cuisine— perfect for those who embrace Korean culture. You and your pals can enjoy a wallet-friendly Korean feast without the need to purchase an air ticket to Korea.

Try their Bibimbap (S$11.90) or Jjajangmyeon (S$11.90)— chunks of pork fried with fermented black bean paste, slathered over hand-made noodles that are served with four side dishes too!

You can also share a Traditional Jangtteok Seafood Pancake (S$13.90) that is a local hot favourite. Seating is limited so it’s advisable to be there early to avoid disappointment.

For dessert, order Ajumma’s Chapssal Red Bean Donuts with Vanilla Ice-cream & Pine nuts (S$8.90) which is essentially sweet red bean puree wrapped in a crisp, pillowy donut skin & coated with cinnamon sugar, served with vanilla ice cream and pine nuts.

For a list of locations, contact numbers and opening hours, refer here.
+65 8749 7993
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11. Nomstar

Recently launched on 2 July 2022 at Northshore Plaza, Nomstar has five famous Asian establishments under one roof— Hawker Chan, Tsuta, Mrs Pho, Tim Ho Wan and Thai Lae Dee. You and your friends can enjoy a wide selection of cuisines while admiring the Punggol seafront view— I’ve heard it’s really gorgeous here during sunsets!

Feast on award-winning authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum with signatures like their Baked BBQ Pork Buns (S$8.60 for 3) and Pan-fried Radish Cakes (S$6.20 for 3) from Tim Ho Wan or indulge in some heartwarming Vietnamese fare like Sliced Beef Pho (S$9.90) and Grilled Pork Chop Rice Platter (S$10.90) from Mrs Pho.

418 Northshore Drive, Northshore Plaza II, #03-02, Singapore 820418
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9.30pm
Sat to Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
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12. Dai Lou (大佬）

Dai Lou is a Cantonese family-style restaurant at Marina Country Club that has a stunning Punggol waterfront view. Head over here with your friends and choose from their wide array of zi char and seafood dishes. You can choose between their alfresco and indoor dining.

Give their Honey Pork Cubes (S$13 for small, S$18 for medium, S$23 for large) a try. The meat is tenderised in both milk and honey, before deep-frying and then stir-frying it. Their Dai Lou’s Money Bag (S$53.90) was inspired by Louisianian cuisine where a pot is filled with the crab shell, prawns, mussels, clams and crab meat. Dai Lou has created two variations of said Money Bag to cater to various preferences.

If your friends want to meet for supper, Dai Lou also offers a wide range of delicious JB-style lok lok skewers (S$1 – S$2 per stick) from 10.30pm onwards with six different kinds of dipping sauces.

11 Northshore Drive, Marina Country Club, #01-0R, Singapore 828670
+65 6920 7494
Daily: 12pm – 2am
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13. Rise & Grind Coffee Co.

Rise & Grind Coffee Co. is an Australian-inspired cafe located at Oasis Terraces. Similar to most Aussie cafes, their decor has clean-looking white brick walls and wooden furniture.

Besides offering breakfast and brunch dishes, they also have a spread of delectable mains ranging from burgers, pastas and steaks.

Dig in at breakfast or brunch, daily before 3pm, with their Pulled Pork Benedict (S$16.90) or Big Brekkie (S17.90)— consisting of a pork bratwurst sausage, hickory smoked bacon, sauteed mushrooms, guacamole, tomatoes, poached eggs and sourdough toast.

They also have a selection of about 12 types of spaghetti dishes, which includes Seafood Tom Yum (S$16.90), Bacon & Mushroom Aglio Olio (S$13.90) and Creamy Smoked Salmon Alfredo (S$14.90).

Check out their Weekday Set Lunch (From S$10.90+) where you can choose between any main, burger or pasta, and get a free iced tea with it.

681 Punggol Drive, Oasis Terraces, #01-06, Singapore 820681
+65 9866 2020
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 9pm
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14. Min Xiang Ge Putian Restaurant (闽香阁莆田菜馆)

Nestled within Punggol Plaza, Min Xiang Ge Putian Restaurant offers a wide range of chinese dishes from the state of Fujian, China. Their menu choices are pretty similar to a popular restaurant chain in Singapore (I’m sure you know where), but at a fraction of the price— sounds good to me!

With ample seating in an air-conditioned space, you and your friends can choose from their extensive range of seafoods, meats, side dishes and mains from their menu. Min Xiang Ge Putian Restaurant also has a seperate Korean menu if you crave for some Korean fare.

Their Xing Hua Bee Hoon (S$7 for small) is a simple yet yummy dish of fried bee hoon served with seafood like clams and prawns, pork and vegetables.

Remember to order their Putien Sweet & Sour Pork With Lychees (S$11.80 for small) which is a traditional dish in Fuzhou. It’s similar to our local sweet and sour pork, with the addition of sweet lychees that make the dish more delectable.

168 Punggol Field, Punggol Plaza, #B1-05, Singapore 820168
+65 8411 9833 / +65 9226 6958
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
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15. STAPLE By Qiji

STAPLE is a Halal-certified casual restaurant that’s located within Northshore Plaza, and it’s the sister company to the popular Qiji restaurant— famous for their nasi lemak and other local delights. They offer Asian-fusion dishes with their own spin on recreating some of Singapore’s local dishes.

Besides their starters like Garlic Truffle Fries (S$4.90) and Otah Balls (S$6), I would personally recommend their Assam Squid Ink Pasta (S$10.90), which is a fusion dish of Italian and Malay influences. Assam is added to squid ink to provide a tangy kick to the sauce that is tossed into the pasta, and served with pieces of squid and cherry tomatoes.

Another dish to look out for is STAPLE’s Black Pepper Chicken Rice (S$8.90). The classic ayam panggang is given a tangy makeover served with a fiery chilli that packs a punch, served with yellow rice, achar and a sunny-side up egg on top.

STAPLE does not have GST and service charge— good news for you and your friends!

407 Northshore Dr, Northshore Plaza I, #02-05, Singapore 820407
+65 6283 8572
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
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