Best Food in Clementi
Clementi is home to many warm heartlanders and cosy food stalls. Don’t expect pulsing life and excitement, but rather the peace of a humble heartland neighbourhood. The food will send you back to your childhood days, with nostalgic flavours and vintage signs around every corner. We’ve come up with a list of 10 eateries in Clementi that will bring back fuzzy memories for under $7.
1. Boon Kee Wanton Mee
“Ah gong, I want Wanton Mee!”
“Huh, you want one ton of mee?”
I believe Wanton Mee is a trip down memory lane, the nostalgic flavours of our childhood. That innocent palate of ours that wanted nothing more than the simple taste of char siew and squiggly noodles. Boon Kee Wanton Mee ($3) doesn’t taste like a million dollar noodle dish, but rather a warming flavour that puts a smile on your face. That old, familiar taste that you’re probably thinking about right now. A clean sauce base and sweet char siew slices.
Opening Hours: Daily: 6.30am – 4pm, Closed on Sun
Address: #01-40, 448 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120448
2. Soon Lee Porridge
Nothing screams comfort more than porridge. I remember playing goldilocks in my early teen years, choked up and contemplating an array of adolescent emotion over a warm bowl of grainy goodness that is Soon Lee Porridge.
Choose from a selection of 3 – Fish, Pork and Chicken Porridge ($2.70). My personal favourite, the Fish Porridge, is fragrant and light, while the Pork porridge is savoury and packs a punch. You won’t see a queue, but instead a tall stack of purple bowls on the counter. And until your own little purple bowl sees the bottom of the stack, the wait is 20 minutes. But good things come to those who wait, soon you’ll be served your porridge with some preserved vegetables and spring onion! Rest assured, it will fix any broken soul.
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 6am – 9pm, Sat: 6am – 5pm, Closed on Sun
Address: #01-50, 448 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120448
3. Xi De Li
1966: A 10 year old boy and his mother struggle with the cruel conditions of pre-independent Singapore. He gets along by selling homemade fried fritters on his bike every morning before rushing off to school. The boy, Ah Sai, has since passed down his trade and flavours to his children. Today, their commendable fried fritter business, Xi De Li, has branched out islandwide with Clementi as its main outlet.
Many loyal customers visit the Clementi branch for their signature Hum Jin Pang (Salted Buns), Butterfly and You Tiao. The fritters are crispy on the outside, but surprisingly soft and chewy on the inside. And believe it or not, these meaningful flavours come at 3 for $2.
Opening Hours: Daily: Closes at 5pm, Closed on Sun
Address: #01-39, 448 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120448
4. Four Seasons Ching Teng
I have a love-hate relationship with Singapore’s blazing weather. So when it’s too humid to handle, I seek cool solace in an icy bowl of Four Seasons Ching Teng ($2). In every bite, a refreshing longan and fungi combination with gingko nuts, large sago beads and strips of persimmon will coat your tongue in delectable pleasure! You could also opt for the warm version of this Ching Teng, comfort soup for on a rainy day.
Opening Hours: Daily: 6.30am – 4pm, Closed on Sun
Address: #01-42, 448 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120448
5. Thaksin Beef Noodle
I spy with my little eye, noodles named after the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Thaksin Shinawatra. It’s not everyday you come across a gentle stall with a big name. Their noodles do just the same, gently plated but bursting with flavour. The clear soup of the Beef Noodles ($4.80) cleanses your palate before you bite into the succulent beef cubes.
If beef isn’t for you, their Phad Thai ($4.50) will have you begging for more. Their Kway Teow noodles are carefully seasoned, an addictive combination of textures and flavours, like unicorns prancing around in your mouth!
Opening Hours: Daily: 10.30am – 10pm
Address: #01-211, 449 Clementi Avenue 3, 120449
6. Fried Carrot Cake
Ah, the humbling smell of Chai Tow Kway*. Better yet, one of Singapore’s best. Lo and behold, the “straw hat uncle’s” famous Fried Carrot Cake has made its way to Clementi Market & Food Centre!
The stall got its name back in the 1960s, when a hot-blooded man (in his iconic straw hat of course) ran a Fried Carrot Cake pushcart in Beo Crescent. The current owner and “straw hat” successor now makes his father proud by dishing out plate after plate of exquisite Fried Carrot Cake ($3) to thousands of rumbly tummies.
But standing before its modest signage is a 45 minute queue. A small price to pay for the rich flavour and unique texture, cai po, eggs and fireworks with every bite.
* Chai Tow Kway – Fried Carrot Cake
Opening Hours: Daily: 7am – 11am, Closed on Mon
Address: #01-45, 448 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120448
7. Brothers Rojak
Like the name suggests, Brothers Rojak is a place to visit with your kopi kakis. Once you’ve tasted this magical mix of sugar spice and everything nice, you’ll never go back to your run of the mill Rojak stall. The Rojak sauce is hands down a winner, sweet, sour and surprisingly fragrant with asian spices.
Their freshly cooked cuttlefish ($3) is a must try, a crispy addition to the amazing Rojak mix. Plus, the quirky uncle dances as he dishes, bringing smiles to everyone that comes by. Brothers Rojak ($3) is easily one of Singapore’s best.
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am – 9.30pm, Closed on Sun
Address: #01-211, 448 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120449
8. Tai He Tang Herbal Tea
Tai He Tang Serves one of Singapore’s most authentic herbal jelly, or better known as Gui Lin Gao ($5.80). If you’re not big on asian flavours, this one’s probably not for you. Otherwise, drown yourself in the cooling sensation of Tai He Tang Herbal Jelly that’ll beat the heat faster than you can spell “pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis”.
The sugar syrup is light and comes in a porcelain tea pot. A drizzle is enough to bring out all the oriental flavours in the carefully formulated herbal jelly recipe. But be warned, this heavenly combination is incredibly addictive, especially in the sweltering Singapore heat. It is all the more necessary for us to enjoy this tasty supplement in this haze that is set to remain until November.
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 6pm, Closed on Mon
Address: #01-235, 449 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120449
9. Chai Ho Satay & Dried Pork
Perfection on a stick. The search for a worthy Satay stall is finally over. Chai Ho Satay & Dried Pork ($0.38 per stick), the first Satay stall to be featured on Eatbook, and a crowd favourite that sells out 4 hours into business.
It is rare to come across a Satay vendor that grills every skewer to perfection. The fat is slightly charred, but the meat is still tender and juicy with a unique meaty fragrance. The Satay explodes on your tastebuds, literally bursting with flavour with every bite. What’s more, a chunky peanut sauce that smooths over your palate in nutty goodness. Hungry yet?
Opening Hours: Wed – Sun: 3pm – 9pm, Closed on Mon – Tue
Address: #01-10, 448 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120448
10. Jit It Thai San Popiah
The day I first tried Jit It Thai San Popiah ($1.70) is the day I knew I would settle for no other. The garlicky chilli sauce smeared over 2 layers of homemade Popiah skin is a recipe for success. On top of that, a crunchy layer of shredded vegetables carefully drained by the vendor lady. The queues are long, but these Popiahs are definitely worth the wait. The old lady stacks the ingredients with careful precision, pouring all her heart into every piece of Popiah – a testimony to its exquisite quality and consistent flavours.
Opening Hours: Daily: Opens at 12.30pm
Address: #01-211, 449 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120449
Enjoy The Nostalgic Food Of Clementi
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