Affordable Vietnamese food found in the CBD
I’ve always had the impression that meals in the CBD are pricey, but it’s surprising how many places in this bustling area offer delicious and relatively cheap pho. Whether you prefer a comforting bowl of pho, or a tasty banh mi sandwich, here are places you can get your fix of affordable Vietnamese food.
1. Pho Street
Though Pho Beef Combination ($9.90++) from Pho Street may not be for everyone, it will certainly appeal to foodies who enjoy well-prepared offal. Served with tender beef slices, shank, tendon, tripe, and meatballs, this makes for one satisfying meal. They also carry traditional Vietnamese desserts such as Cream of Mung Bean with Coconut Sauce and Crushed Peanuts ($3.50++). Remember to save some space for this sweet treat that comprises thick and creamy mung bean purée, fresh coconut bits, and roasted peanuts.
Address: 10 Collyer Quay, #B1-05, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 7:30pm (last order at 7pm)
Website | Full list of outlets
2. Banh Mi Brothers
Beef pho may be a crowd-favourite, but don’t underestimate the power of a great banh mi sandwich. Banh Mi Brothers offers a handful of variations of this French-inspired classic. This includes their Banh Mi Ga Nuong ($6.80), which contains grilled chicken chop, as well as Banh Mi Heo Nuong ($6.80) that houses grilled pork. For a complete meal, get their Banh Mi + Drink Set ($9.60) to enjoy your sandwich with a refreshing beverage.
Address: 16 Collyer Quay, #01-14, Hitachi Tower, Singapore 049318
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm
Tel: 6535 7604
Website
3. Pho Stop
For some no-frills Vietnamese food, head down to the newly re-opened Pho Stop. They may be known for their noodle dishes, such as Pho Ga ($6.90) and Pho Bo Tai ($10.30), but you shouldn’t miss out on their impressive rice bowls. For a more filling meal, get their Grilled Pork Chop with Rice ($11.20). This hearty bowl comes with tasty marinated pork and a sunny side up on rice. For a Vietnamese-inspired drink-cum-dessert to round off your meal, order their Affogato Coconut ($5). This treat is made by drowning rich coconut ice-cream in a shot of Vietnamese coffee.
Address: 6 Shenton Way, #02-28, Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068809
Opening hours: Mon-Tue 11:30am to 9:30pm, Thur-Fri 11:30am to 9:30pm, Sat 11:30am to 8pm
Tel: 6534 8178
Website
4. ComNam Vietnamese Street Eats
If you love Vietnamese food but are getting bored of choosing between pho and banh mi, ComNam Vietnamese Street Eats has a wide variety of dishes. They serve Bun Cha Ha Noi ($9.90), AKA the noodle dish made famous by Obama and Anthony Bourdain. On weekdays between 10am to 2pm, you can enjoy their Com Suon Non Rim lunch set – a caramelised pork rib rice that comes with a soup of the day and a drink – at $10.90.
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #B1-46/47, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6336 0500
Website
Menu
5. Yummy Viet
Head to Yummy Viet for Vietnamese set meals that give you bang for your buck. From 6:30pm to 10:30pm, you can enjoy their special set menu deals. Set B ($11.50+) includes two fresh Summer Rolls, a tasty bowl of BBQ Pork Noodles and your choice of either passion fruit or sour plum juice. If you prefer a pick-me-up, get Set C ($12+) instead. This comes with a Vietnamese baguette, Lotus Salad, and a dose of Vietnamese coffee to end off your meal with a caffeine kick.
Address: 28 Smith Street, Singapore 058942
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 11pm
Tel: 6222 5191
Website
6. Fat Saigon Boy
For Vietnamese food with a twist, visit Fat Saigon Boy for some Australian-Vietnamese tapas. Their Viet Tapas ($10++) is made up of Pig On A Stick and Soft Shell Crab Sliders. The former is made with juicy pork balls while the latter has crispy pieces of crab tucked into a deep-fried mantou. It wouldn’t be a Vietnamese restaurant without the classics, so you can still stick to good ol’ Pho Bo ($13++) or BBQ Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi ($10++).
Check out other Telok Ayer food to add to your list of lunch spots in the CBD.
Address: 51 Telok Ayer Street, #01-02, Singapore 048441
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 9pm
Tel: 6221 6784
Website
7. Madam Saigon
Madam Saigon offers a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes. Though they are known for their Special Beef Noodle Soup ($10.90++), they also serve more uncommon options such as Vietnamese Beef Stew ($15.90++) and Saigon Special Steamed Egg & Chicken Chop ($12.90++). Steamboat lovers will enjoy their Saigon Hot Pot that comes in two versions, Fish ($20.50++) and Vegetarian ($15.50++).
Address: 9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-26, Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6338 3831
Website
Menu
8. Tonkin Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
Meat lovers should pay a visit to Tonkin Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine to get their hands on a plate of BBQ Pork Belly and Pork Balls with Noodles ($11.90). The pork belly and pork balls are well marinated in a slightly sweet sauce that complements the smoky flavour from the barbequed meat. If that sounds a little too heavy, you can also have a light Hai Phong Fish Noodle Soup ($10.90) or the classic Hanoi Beef Noodle Soup ($9.90).
Address: 70 Anson Road, #01-03/04, Singapore 079905
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 9.30pm
Website
9. Nam Nam Noodle Bar
Nam Nam Noodle Bar is a popular go-to for a quick and convenient Vietnamese food fix. Though they have the classic Pho with Australian beef steak slices & beef balls ($10++), they also offer a more indulgent Pho with Australian wagyu beef slices ($19.90++) for days you feel like treating yourself. These medium rare beef slices are served atop a bed of springy rice noodles before being drenched in a flavourful broth. A healthier option, Pho vegetarian with brown rice noodles ($9++), is also available.
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #B1-46/47, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6336 0500
Website | Full list of outlets
10. Vietnamese Delight Pho 99
Each bowl of Pho Bo ($9.50) from Vietnamese Delights Pho 99 comes with a generous portion of noodles and slightly pink beef slices. You can also order one of their affordable sides, such as their Mixed Platter ($7), to share with your friends. This platter includes six deep-fried pork spring rolls and four fresh shrimp spring rolls so you get to have the best of both worlds. Remember to get a cup of Iced Vietnamese Coffee ($2.40) to alleviate the impending food coma you’re bound to have after eating here.
Address: 57/58 Amoy Street, Singapore 069883
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 9pm
Tel: 6410 9600
Get your pho fix in the CBD
You’d be pleasantly surprised by the number of great Vietnamese places in the CBD area, so don’t rule Vietnamese food out when you’re looking for an affordable option. Leave a comment below telling us which of these spots you’d like to visit next!
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