9 hip food spots Jalan Besar residents don’t want to share
Some time ago, our team discovered the best food spots around Jalan Besar that offered dishes at wallet-friendly prices. Fast forward to 6 years later, countless hip joints have set foot in the same vicinity, offering stellar grub and dining experiences that elevate the Jalan Besar food and beverage scene.
Today, I present the 10 best hip food spots in Jalan Besar that residents would prefer to keep hush about.
1. HUE Restaurant
Fancy Thai cuisine but craving for a modern touch? Look no further than Hue, a restaurant specialising in creative spins on traditional Thai dishes.
There is no better start to the evening than with Three Little Pigs (S$22). Think thick chunks of oven roasted pork belly tainted with a beautiful green-hued seasoning composed of coriander, white pepper and garlic. Oh, and did I mention it has the most satisfying cackled skin ever?
Tantalise your tastebuds further with Garlilicious Prawn (S$30) which sees large plump prawns covered in a garlic butter and truffle salsa-infused blanket. The freshness of the seafood is well kept as they are cooked to perfection — snappy and sweet.
Vegetables are a must have when dining at Hue, and the Cai Yen Yen (S$18) comes greatly recommended. Do not trivialise its simple title and you’ll find a unique dish consisting of baby kailan prepped 2 ways. In one method, the vegetable leaves are deep fried till they resemble ‘chips’. Highly addictive!
Pair your grub with cocktails done right such as the Happy Ever After (S$18). The marriage of creamy coconut milk and aromatic pandan will have you coming back for seconds.
If you’ve been itching to try unique constructions such as these, make your reservations soon; seats do get filled pretty quickly!
Food delivery: Deliveroo
123 Tyrwhitt Rd, Singapore 207549
+65 9018 0992
Mon to Wed: 6pm – 10.30pm
Thu & Sun: 12pm – 3pm & 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm & 6pm – 11.30pm
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2. Sweet Cheeks
Playful gelato flavours that’s open till 1am? The deal simply does not get any sweeter than this. Sweet Cheeks’ recent revamp from a pretty pink interior to a moody dark aesthetic has fans screaming. That said, their gelato quality and out-of-this-world flavours have been well-kept.
While some of us may be pleased with classic gelato flavours including Uji Matcha Hokkaido Milk (S$5), most flavours sold at this dessert parlour are inventive and unique to the brand.
Even the most conventional tastes are turned into something even more enticing including the Bronte Pistachio Praline (S$5) and Charcoal Honeycomb (S$5). The team ensures that dimension and textures are contained within the creamy churn — a component anyone would appreciate.
Fruity flavours that should not be missed are Peach, Passionfruit & Sage (S$6) and Olive & Figs (S$5). The former sees a delicate introduction of tang to the mellow peach and sage infusion. Simply divine!
Food delivery: foodpanda
147 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207561
Sun to Thu: 12pm to 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm to 1am
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3. Asylum Coffeehouse
Battling the countless coffee cafes dotted around Jalan Besar, Asylum Coffeehouse is going strong with their intentions to provide quality brews while educating fellow coffee aficionados with the right knowledge on matters related to coffee.
Naturally, guests are encouraged to try their espresso-based drinks. First pick either White or Black brews before choosing your filter beans if you’re up for the latter. Non-coffee peeps, do not fret. The team makes an excellent cup of Chocolate (S$6) while a tea selection is available, too.
I went for the Hot White (S$6.5 for 8oz) and was not disappointed. The espresso was well-extracted while its ratio to milk was balanced. Needless to say, this robust cup was easy to down within minutes.
Some bakes are set aside for those feeling a little peckish including the classic Croissant (S$4).
Set aside some evening time for their Coffee Salon Sessions to equip yourself with the deeds regarding brewing your own coffee.
Food delivery: foodpanda
311 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208970
+65 8921 9875
Daily: 8am to 4.30pm
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4. Cheeselads
(Almost) nothing beats dinner with a divine cheese platter, exclusive quality wines and good ambiance. Cheeselads is located in a quiet corner of Jalan Besar and provides an extensive list of cheese and wine selections.
Choose to dine in and revel in a personalised cheese board filled with artisanal produce in a vast range of flavours. One can hardly go wrong with Cheeselads Signature Truffle Brie (S$22.50 for 150g) for a creamy texture showered with hints of truffle aromatics.
Other mentionable options include the oozy Gorgonzola Dolce (S$14.25 for 150g), Sea Salt Cheddar (S$21.80 for 200g) and Chorizo Gouda (S$28 for 200g). Pair your cheese with a fine glass of red Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon (S$52) for a rich and complex infusion of blueberries, deep plum and cracked peppercorn.
The team also provides 12 different platters suited for every occasion. Simply choose the number of pax dining, the quantity of cheese deemed adequate and leave the rest to the team’s good hands. You’ll surely be pleased with the end result!
117 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207546
+65 8807 4851
Mon: 4pm – 10.30pm
Wed, Thu & Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12am
Closed on Tue
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5. Brawn & Brains Coffee
Another trendy spot located adjacent to the main street of Jalan Besar is minimalist-aesthetic cafe, Brawn & Brains Coffee. Cafe-goers will be pleased to know that a row of seats are available for guests to enjoy their cup of Joe in-house.
One glance at the menu and you would know that the team takes their grub seriously. Forget the usual ‘scrambled eggs’, you’re simply spoilt for choice over here!
Pick from sourdough flatbreads, open-faced toasts, pancakes and sourdough pizzas. Their best-seller Oven-Baked Molten Eggs (S$22) are a crowd pleaser for good reason. Featuring wobbly egg whites with a golden egg yolk lava, this dish is perfectly seasoned with crispy grilled bacon and smoked salmon.
Pair your Yuzu Kukicha (S$7.20) with one of their signature pastries. I went for the Finnish Cinnamon Bun (S$5.50) which was aromatic and subtly spiced. I loved the crumb present in the bake which was stretchy and moist. Truly delicious!
Order delivery: Deliveroo
16 Hamilton Road, #01-06, Singapore 209186
Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri : 7.30am – 4.30pm
Sat, Sun & P.H : 7.30am – 5.30pm
Closed on Wed
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6. Druggists
One of the pioneers in SG’s brewery scene, Druggists is a beer den like no other. With roots bringing us back to 2015, the team has been delivering one of the best food and beer combinations ever.
Choose from 23 taps of craft beer and indulge in sinful bites or mains. Order the classic Har Cheong Gai (S$13) for a fragrant and crispy snack. Otherwise, head for The Battered Squid (S$21.50), Chilli Crab Melt (S$12.50) or Tau Yew Bak Burger (S$19) for a burst of traditional and modern flavours.
With a series of craft beers rotated and available on tap, I bet you’ll find something that suits your palate. Other options include fan favourite bottles and cans. If you’re abstaining for the night, non-alcoholic sodas are also served.
Come down for this hip dining experience and you’ll know why they’re packed almost every night with waiting times leading up to the hour.
119 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207547
+65 6802 0228
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 12am
Fri to Sun: 3pm – 12am
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7. Red Eye Smokehouse
There is only one result from the process of slow roasting meats at low heats for an extended period of time — tender and succulent perfection. Red Eye Smokehouse has got the concept right and follows this principle to ensure only the best quality meats are properly cooked.
It really is a meat galore here so come with an empty stomach and an open mind ready to be blown away by the robust flavours of smokiness.
Start your meal with BBQ Poutine (S$15) which features sweet potato fries drenched in stout gravy, cheddar, chopped brisket and garnished with shallot chips and angel sauce. I am already salivating!
Regardless of chicken, pork or beef, the team has got you covered with selections ranging from 3-hour Smoked Chicken (S$18 for half), Iberico Pork Belly (S$25) and the signature USDA Beef Brisket (S$35).
Wash everything down with a couple pints of Monster Green (S$14 for a pint) or choose from their range of bottled beers. Think killer options like Heretic Juicier Than Thou (S$16) and Blue Star Wheat Beer (S$14).
1 Cavan Road, Singapore 209842
+65 6291 0218
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 3pm & 5pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 3pm & 5pm – 9.30pm
Closed on Mon
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8. Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong
If you’re looking for fresh seafood that is cooked with style, look no further than Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong. Essentially a seafood lover’s paradise, expect only the best flavours extracted and complemented with quality produce.
Whet your appetite with KFC (S$26) which stands for Kelong Fried Collar. Although a simple name dish, your tastebuds will be tantalised with its superbly crispy fried exterior and fluffy moist flesh.
Dig into main courses with the likes of Chinkiang Seabass (S$26) where your palate will be wowed by their vinegar glaze on sweet and tender meat. Otherwise, Brown Butter Grouper (S$32) and Prawn Dashi Aglio Olio (S$28) make fabulous alternatives.
Do not miss out on their sides, too. Their XOXO Potato (S$12) comes highly recommended for good reason. The root vegetable is deep fried a total of 3 times in house-made XO sauce before it’s dressed with spring onion oil. Absolutely tempting!
8 Hamilton Road, Singapore 209179
+65 9133 3379
Wed: 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Thu & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm & 5pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Mon & Tue
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9. Antea Social
To wind off the list, nothing beats a visit to Antea Social for quality time spent with yourself or friends. The teahouse offers a long list of tea based refreshers in floral, fruity and robust flavours.
I love their mantra of slowing things down and enjoying a fresh brew of tea in this tea haven. A series of flavour profiles are showcased in the studio and encourages diners to pick from.
Dine in to enjoy their well-curated tea infusions such as Autumn (S$8.90) with lemon, lavender and mint taste notes. Pair your teas with small bites including Ume Shiso Onigiri (S$4.50) which is bound to satisfy tangy and sweet cravings.
Those seeking something stronger should give the Lychee Oolong Whiskey (S$18) and Kyoho Grape Kombucha Gin (S$18) a try. The blend of aromatic fruity tea coupled with a robust kick would surely please many.
As takeaway options, their Pineapple Oolong, Kyoho Grape Oolong and Golden Pomelo Oolong are popular options that should not be missed!
9 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207528
+65 6493 0120
Tue to Fri & Sun: 11.30am – 7pm
Sat: 11.30am – 10pm
Closed on Mon
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