Burpple - 12 Value For Money Eats in Singapore
The plethora of hawker eats in Singapore makes it really easy to get a delicious plate at under $5, but that's not the intention of this week's guide. Instead, we scoured the island to track down establishments that dish out value-conscious options of food that would otherwise set you back quite a bit on your food budget. From a modern European fine-dining meal under $30 to a whole roast duck at $15 and a super affordable tapas set lunch in the heart of town, this guide is packed with budget-friendly options for the penny pinching foodie. Your wallet can thank us later!. This article was originally published on burpple.com. Download the app for iPhone and Android now at burpple.com/getapp!
1. Teppanyaki Hamburg Nihonbashi Keisuke Bettei
For a Beefy Hamburg Feast For a Beefy Hamburg Feast
The 12th concept by chef Keisuke Takeda specialises in hamburg steak. In fact, there are only two items on the menu — the Keisuke Prime Beef Hamburg Set ($18.80) and the Triple Cheese Prime Beef Hamburg Set ($20.80). Both are made using minced prime US beef shoulder, and are seriously juicy and tender. Spend the extra $2 for the incredibly molten centre of cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan. While prices aren't likely to give hawkers a run for their money, you get a lot more than what you'll pay for here. These guys are seriously generous with the complimentary side dishes. They have about 20 items on rotation, including salads, cold pastas and eggs done any way you like from the live egg station! Burp. Pro tip: Burppler Colin Tan suggests visiting early close to opening times (11:30am and 5:30pm) to avoid the crowds. Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burppler Darrick Leow2. Pastaria Abate
For Honest to Goodness Pastas For Honest to Goodness Pastas
The Burpple community has tons of good things to say about the food here, and this newish kid on the block in Craig Road is fast becoming one of our favourites for honest to goodness pasta. The fresh pastas are handmade daily and the sauces slow-cooked to bring out all the nuanced flavours; the price to value ratio is a big bonus too! Hearty and saucy, the tomato-based Italian Meatballs ($12.80, with your choice of pasta) is a classic that never fails to satisfy. The Sicilian Anchovy ($10.80 with your choice of pasta) on the other hand is a little less saucy, but so delicious in its simplicity — anchovies, caramelised onions and chilies come together for an umami bomb. Try it with the angel hair pasta, which Burppler Jayne Tan recommends. The gooey Fried Mozzarella ($6.80) makes for a tasty starter to share, and goes well if you're in the mood for a few reasonably-priced drinks with friends. A bottle of their Chianti goes for $38, or get a bucket of five Italian beers for just $30. Avg Price: $15 per person Photo by Burppler Jayne Tan3. Fat Belly
For Affordable, Amazing Steaks For Affordable, Amazing Steaks
If it's steak you're in the mood for, this cosy 10-seater spot in Serene Centre (it shares the space with Sugarhaus) is perfect for the whole steakhouse experience at budget-friendly prices. It's certainly found a fan in Burpple Tastemaker Emily S, who has raving reviews of the meat. There are only two steaks on the menu — the Flat Iron ($22), which is leaner and offers great bite, and the Short Rib ($25), which has lovely marbling and a more decadent mouthfeel. The steaks arrive well seasoned, which warrants the acompanying chimichurri unnecessary, alongside a little bowl of house salad tossed in vinaigrette. Sides are priced at an additional $5 each, but worth the splurge. Consider the juicy Sauteed Thyme Mushrooms ($5) or luscious Guanciale Mac & Cheese ($5). Desserts still aren't stellar, so save your money for something else. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Emily S4. Duck Master (Textile Centre)
For Wallet-Friendly Whole Roast Duck For Wallet-Friendly Whole Roast Duck
Depending on where you head to, an order of roast duck can stretch you pretty thin, budget wise. In comes this roast duck specialist, which has outlets in both Textile Centre and People's Park Complex. Described to be a fusion between Peking duck and Hong Kong roast duck, the Roast Duck is priced at $15 and, judging from reviews, is both affordable and tasty. The ducks are sourced from Malaysia, and roasted for about an hour to cook through and develop their signature crisp, all while maintaining the tender, well-marinated meat. Even though it has just opened this year, The Duck Master has already amassed legions of fans — its People's Park location was once reported to have a three-hour waiting time. Thankfully for us, they have set up an online system, which makes the whole purchase process a lot more seamless. Place an order for the duck online and select your preferred time and location for pick up. Just be reminded that online orders may not be permitted for same day collection. Avg Price: $15 per person Photo by Burppler Vanessa Sng5. FIVE TEN
For $5 and $10 Dishes For $5 and $10 Dishes
It's easy to keep track of your spending at this snazzy Chinatown establishment, as everything on the menu, even the drinks, are priced straightforwardly at $5 and $10. The laid-back yet hip setting as well as the tasty dishes have struck a chord with the Burpple community. Here's what you shouldn't miss. The Lu Rou Fan ($10) is a popular lunch special that sees rice topped with a huge slab of tender braised pork belly, alongside kailan and a sous-vide egg (for dinner, you get two melt-in-your-mouth belly slabs plus free-flow rice), while the Salmon Don ($10) impresses with the generous portion of perfectly cooked, pink tender fish. Make sure to get the Fried Chicken with Seaweed Mayonnaise ($5) to share. Burpple Tastemaker Vanessa Kou loves that the battered chunks are super crisp and surprisingly juicy on the inside, and lovely dipped with the housemade nori mayo. We're not so hot about the desserts here though; so consider sticking with the savouries. Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Fiona Ting6. San Bistro
For Fine Dining under $30 For Fine Dining under $30
It seems unthinkable that modern European fine dining can be enjoyed under $30, but that's exactly what this east-side bistro delivers, and they do a stellar job too. On top of that, the Two-Course Set Menu ($23) and Three-Course Set Menu ($28) are available at the same prices for both lunch and dinner — yay! The options are quite extensive, and dishes run the gamut from Mushroom Soup and Chicken Coq-Au-Vin for starters to Duck Leg Confit and Pan-Seared Barramundi for mains, and everything is cooked realy, really well. Some dishes require a top-up, but it'll all be well worth the investment if you choose to do so. For dessert, consider the Peach and Cheese "Cake" — the light and elegant sweet stole Burpple Tastemaker Zhihui Lim's heart. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Zhihui Lim7. Japanese Curry Express
For Hole-in-the-Wall Donburi For Hole-in-the-Wall Donburi
While a haven for vegetarians, Fortune Centre is also home to this nondescript yet wholly popular shop dishing out bowls of donburis to hungry hordes. Tucked away on the third floor, Japanese Curry Express is a popular spot for students and office workers in the area, and for good reason! The Pork Katsu Curry ($7) is one of their cheaper options and consistently hits the spot if you're in the mood for something deep-fried. What we really like however is the Salmon Mentai Don ($10), which sees generous slices of lightly torched salmon and mentaiko laid over fluffy Japanese rice. Portions run small, so upsize the bowl (additional $3) for a donburi that'll definitely hit the spot. If you're still pecking, get the moreish Salmon Kara Karaage ($6) to share and nibble on lightly battered salmon offcuts. Avg Price: $10 per person Photo by Burppler Alicia Kho8. Tapas Club
For Tapas on a Budget For Tapas on a Budget
Already serving authentic Spanish fare at very fair prices, especially considering its prime Orchard Road location, Tapas Club racks up further value points for its super budget-friendly Tapas Set Lunch ($12.90). Available Mondays to Fridays from noon to 2pm, the set offers four tasty variants, with main options like chicken and seafood paella and squid ink noodles paella. Each main comes with a different side (the mushroom croquettes sound delish), tomato bread and a soft drink, which we highly encourage that you upgrade to a Sangria (additional $3) for a boozy lunch. According to Burpple Tastemaker Wei Zhi Chiang, the portion sizes are just right, which leaves you with just enough space to share the popular Churros Con Chocolat ($8) with a few friends. The freshly fried dough sticks arrive warm and sport a lovely golden crisp, and are best eaten dipped in the bittersweet chocolate sauce. Avg Price: $15 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Wei Zhi Chiang9. Ah Loy Thai
For Cheap and Good Thai Food For Cheap and Good Thai Food
A longtime favourite among Thai food fans, Ah Loy Thai draws the crowds for both its flavourful cooking as well as reasonable prices. They have moved from their Shaw Towers home to a bigger space along Tan Quee Lan Street, making it great for value-conscious group gatherings. The dishes here are pretty much bang on in terms of taste, so it's hard to go wrong. Some of our favourites include the Thai Lemon Steamed Fish ($17), bathed in a spicy and zesty sauce perfect for drenching rice in, the Tom Yum Goong ($8.90) that's thick and just the right amount of spice and tang, and the tender and crisp Garlic Pork ($9.40) that'd help douse the fiery flames. Good old Thai Iced Tea ($2.50) will help too. Pro tip: They only accept cash, so make sure you stop by the ATM first! Avg Price: $10 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Cassie Ong10. 21 Seafood
For Pocket-Friendly Crabs For Pocket-Friendly Crabs
Head to this zi char stall in Hougang for a crab feast that wouldn't break the bank. The Sri Lankan crabs here are priced at $40 for two sizeable crustaceans. The only downside is that they only allow one style of cooking for two crabs; consider following in Burppler Kelly Must Eat's footsteps and ordering four crabs instead! There are about 16 different cookings styles to choose from but the classics are still what the Burpple community favours. The crowd-pleasing salted egg sauce is flawlessly buttery and creamy, while Burppler Tansy loved that they were generous with the eggs in the mildly spicy chilli sauce. Just be mindful that there are two salted egg preparations for the crabs — one wet and one dry; the wet is highly recommended and better for dipping mantous into. The zi char spread here is decent, but save your tummies for the crabs. A simple plate of Seafood Fried Rice ($6) works as a canvas for soaking up any remaining sauce. Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Wei Zhi Chiang11. Sushiro
For Value-For-Money Bara Chirashi Don For Value-For-Money Bara Chirashi Don
According to Burpple Tastemaker Zhihui Lim, this cosy joint in Thomson Plaza serves one of the more affordable and value-for-money chirashi dons in Singapore. Priced at $12.80, the Bara Chirashi Don has a spot-on rice to sashimi ratio, which means you get satisfying bites of seafood with every mouthful. Burppler Hazel Low likes that the sashimi are thick and fresh, while Zhihui describes the sesame-flavoured rice to come topped with fresh portions of perfectly seasoned prawns, salmon, tuna, octopus and ikura. If you're in the mood to indulge without burning a hole in your pocket, the Premium Bara Chirashi Don ($24.80) sees a lot more (a mountain of it, in fact) of the fresh seafood — on pay day, perhaps? Sushiro's charms often garner a crowd, so be prepared to queue, even outside of peak mealtimes. Pro tip: Flash your Burpple app to enjoy Sushiro's set lunch specials for all rice bowls — add on $3 for soup and salad, or $5 for sashimi, soup and salad. Avg Price: $15 per person Photo by Burppler Jacelyn See12. Kim Dae Mun (Concorde Hotel)
For No Frills Korean Fare For No Frills Korean Fare
Ever since it operated out of Concorde Hotel's now defunct food court, this humble eatery has been an Orchard stalwart for affordable Korean fare. Kim Dae Mun has sinced moved into their own digs in the same building, and the crowds just keep coming — be prepared to join the queue during peak mealtimes. Expect foodcourt-type Korean fare, complete with the trademark sizzling hotplates, albeit served with a bit more finesse and in an atmospheric setting almost straight out of a Korean drama. The hotplate meats are tender and not overly oily — consider the flavourful and well-marinated Hotplate Chicken ($8). They do stews really well too. Both the Kimchi Tofu Stew ($8) and Kimchi Soup with Pork ($7.50) offer a good balance of sour and spicy, but if you're not in the mood for heat, the Bean Paste & Vegetable Soup ($7.50) goes easy on the palate and is equally comforting. Each set comes with a bowl of white rice (add 50 cents to change it to red bean rice) and a side dish of your choice. Avg Price: $10 per person Photo by Burppler MichelleLIN T
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