When it comes to affordable feasts, Singaporeans are spoiled for choice thanks to the large amount of zi char places in the country. But with so many such eateries out there, it can be difficult to decide where to get your coffee pork ribs or cereal prawns.
Luckily, we live in the internet age, so we can turn to the Big G for advice. Based on the star rating system on Google Maps, we have curated a list of the best zi char places in Singapore. The criteria are that they have a score of at least 4.0 and plenty of reviews—aside from our last two picks, which are hidden gems.
Do note that the Google ratings are from the time of writing, and may change over time.
Table of Contents
Keng Eng Kee Seafood needs no introduction. The legendary zi char stall has garnered plenty of acclaim over its 50-year history, including a Michelin Plate and a recommendation from Anthony Bourdain himself.
Recommended dishes include their Coffee Pork Ribs ($19.80+), which are said to be tender and highly flavourful, and the Signature Chilli Crab (market price), which is said to be both piquant and meaty. Instead of getting rice to go along with these dishes, you can opt for the Signature Moonlight Hor Fun (from $10.80+), a well-balanced noodle dish with a silky mouthfeel.
Website | Full list of outlets
Keng Eng Kee Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.
Having been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2016, Kok Sen Restaurant is another eatery that has received much acclaim. It is known for dishes such as the Big Prawns Hor Fun (from $22.20), a wok hei-filled noodle dish with large juicy prawns, and Yong Tau Fu (from $15.30) in a warm claypot. For some fried goodness, get the Prawn Paste Chicken (from $13.30), which features a batter infused with fermented shrimp paste.
Address: 30 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089137
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 2:15pm, 5pm to 9:15pm
Tel: 6223 2005
Website
Kok Sen Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @driftsyndrome
J.B. Ah Meng Restaurant offers Malaysian-style zi char, and to many, that means extra wok hei. The San Lou Meehoon (from $8) is a good example of this—messy and somewhat unpleasant to look at, but brimming with wok-kissed aroma and flavour. While you’re there, don’t miss the White Pepper Crab (market price), which is said to have tender meat and the irresistible fragrance of white pepper.
Address: 534 Geylang Road, Singapore 389490
Opening hours: Daily 5pm to 2am
Tel: 6741 2418
Website
J.B. Ah Meng Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @wwchesterk
Everyone knows Two Chefs Eating Place, and for good reason. Their two outlets in Commonwealth and Sin Ming both draw constant crowds, with many patrons raving about their Butter Ribs (from $12) in particular. These pork ribs are blanketed with milk powder, and are said to be juicy and wonderfully creamy. Other popular dishes include the Seafood Claypot (from $28) and Golden Mushroom Beancurd (from $9).
Commonwealth outlet
Address: 116 Commonwealth Crescent, #01-129, Singapore 140116
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2:15pm, 5pm to 11pm
Tel: 6472 5361
Sin Ming outlet
Address: 410A Sin Ming Avenue, #01-01, Singapore 570409
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10:15pm
Tel: 6451 3812
Two Chefs Eating Place is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @victuals8comestibles
Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood Restaurant continues to be one of the more popular and well-received zi char places in the country. Seafood is their speciality, with dishes such as Chilli Crab (market price) and Assam Fish Head ($30) often prepared excellently. As for non-seafood items, their Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs (from $12) and Prawn Paste Chicken (from $10) come highly recommended.
Address: 122 Casuarina Road, Singapore 579510
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am to 2pm, 4:30pm to 10:30pm, Mon 4:30pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 6452 2824
Website
Ban Leong Wah Hoe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @dumfoodtrail
Established in 1975, Chuan Kee Seafood offers a great variety of seafood fare. Just take the signature dishes such as Stir-Fry Wild Mushroom Scallops With Asparagus ($20) and Yuan-yang Wasabi & Salted Egg Prawn ($24), for instance, which are zi char showstoppers. The latter being a particularly interesting dish—two popular zi char flavours, wasabi and salted egg, are combined rather than used separately.
Address: 1091A Lower Delta Road, Singapore 169207
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3:30pm, 4:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 9878 9924
Website
Chuan Kee Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @yaoyuanya
You expect zi char fare done right at Sin Hoi Sai Eating House. While it has a sister outlet in the form of Sin Hoi Sai Seafood Restaurant, Google has this outlet as the more popular and better-rated choice. Crowd favourites here include the super savoury Salted Egg & Butter Pork Ribs ($16) and the piquant Curry Fish Head ($26). Be sure to get the smoky Moonlight Hor Fun (from $6) as your choice of carb, too!
Address: 187 East Coast Road, Singapore 428893
Opening hours: Daily 4pm to 3am
Tel: 6440 6956
Website
Sin Hoi Sai Eating House is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @joshua.kang
Despite being rated by over 1500 users on Google, Hua Yu Wee Seafood Restaurant maintains one of the highest scores on the list. Located inside a bungalow, the zi char place serves classics such as Coffee Ribs (from $15.12) and Hot Plate Tofu (from $12.84), but they are better known for their seafood dishes, including Crab with Ketchup & Chilli Sauce ($73.44 for 800g) and Butter Crayfish (from $30.24).
Address: 462 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 466508
Opening hours: Daily 5pm to 11pm
Tel: 6442 9313
Website
Hua Yu Wee Seafood Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @georgetowntzechar
Located along the scenic Boat Quay, George Town Tze Char and Craft Beer has 500+ ratings on Google for an overall score of 4.5. It’s probably the most interesting entry on this list, too. Get this—a Penang-style zi char restaurant that also specialises in craft beer.
Standout dishes include the Truffle Sauce Lobster (from $48), which combines the powerful aroma of truffle with the sweetness of lobster, and the sour and tangy Penang Laksa Steamed Fishhead ($35). Don’t forget to get some Brewlander Craft Beer (from $12) to go along with these dishes, too.
Address: 81 Boat Quay, Singapore 049869
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3am
Tel: 9682 3826
Website
George Town Tze Char and Craft Beer @ 81 Boat Quay is not a halal-certified eatery.
With over 1200 ratings, Por Kee Eating House 1996 has an overall score of 4.2 on Google. The Cantonese-style zi char restaurant located at Thye Hong Centre in Tiong Bahru has been around since 1996, just as its name suggests. Some must-tries are their Champagne Short Rib ($22), Homemade Beancurd (price TBD), and Fried Beef/ Venison With Vegetables ($18). Due to popular demand, reservations to dine-in are required.
Address: 69 Seng Poh Ln, #01-02, Singapore 160069
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10:45pm
Tel: 6221 0582
Por Kee Eating House 1996 is not a halal-certified eatery.
Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant is a halal zi char restaurant by the sea with almost 2000 ratings on Google for an overall score of 4.3. They serve a wide range of zi char dishes, from a variety of Chinese-style Steamed Fish (from $26) to Salted Egg Soft Shell Crab (from $18). A must-try would be their Curry Fish Head ($25), which is said to feature piquant curry and fresh and meaty fish head. Don’t miss out on their Yam Ring Basket with Seafood ($24), too!
Address: 6A Admiralty Road West, Singapore 757445
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 11:30pm
Tel: 6366 9339
Website
Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant is a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Ethan Ong
Holding an overall score of 4.2 with just under 700 reviews on Google, Zhenyi Veggie Place offers a full vegetarian zi char feast without compromising on taste. The restaurant features a wide selection of unconventional vegetarian dishes, such as their meatless Ginger Duck (S$10.30) and Shredded Sweet Bacon ($14.10). Don’t miss out on their chef rRecommendations, including their meatless Cereal Veggie Prawn (S$12.30), Signature Assam Cod Fish ($15.30) and Mala Fragrant Pot ($15.30).
Address: 128 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, #01-1853, Singapore 560128
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6456 3307
Website
Zhenyi Veggie Place is not a halal-certified eatery.
Jiak Moderns Tzechar @ HillV2 scores 4.0 on Google with just under 600 reviews. The halal restaurant is one of the sleeker options on this list, with its interiors looking more like a cafe than a zi char eatery. There’s a wide variety of seafood options here including the Signature Curry Fish Head ($26), Claypot Collagen Braised Fish Head ($26), Oats Sotong (from $12) and Signature Steamed Crab with Black Bee Hoon ($50). If you prefer meat, be sure to check out their Black Pepper Wagyu Beef ($22) or Claypot Chicken with Dried Chilli ($14/ $20).
Address: 4 Hillview Rise, #02-04, Singapore 667979
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6265 1097
Website
Jiak Modern Tzechar @ HillV2 is a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @fpcseafood
With only about 200 ratings, but a superb score of 4.5 on Google, FPC Seafood fits our definition of a hidden gem. Their seafood dishes, particularly the Sweet & Sour Fish ($13) and Butter Prawns ($18), are said to be delectable, fresh, and value for money. And like any zi char place worth its salt, the non-seafood dishes are quality too—the Thai Style Fried Chicken ($11) and Ginger & Spring Onion Beef ($13) are very well-regarded.
Address: 267 Tampines Street 21, #01-47, Singapore 520267
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 11am to 8:30pm
Tel: 6781 6511
Website
FPC Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @smoque.sg
With around 300 ratings, Chui Xiang Kitchen is another hidden gem with a general rating of 4.2 on Google. The restaurant has been serving delights for more than 15 years, and rose to fame with its Teochew-style Live Lobster Porridge ($80)—the dish is praised for its large portions of porridge, fresh lobster, and umami-rich broth that will warm your stomach. Other signatures include their Cabbage Spring Chicken ($28), Marmite Pork Rib ($18), and Beancurd with Enoki Mushroom ($13).
Address: 126 Casuarina Rod, Singapore 579514
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 6458 4567
Website
Chui Xiang Kitchen is not a halal-certified eatery.
You don’t have to sift through Google the next time you’re craving zi char—we’ve narrowed down a list of the top ten places to visit. For great Sichuan mala, have a look at our Sichuan mala hotpot restaurant guide. If you’re looking for Korean restaurants to check out, read our Korean restaurants in Tanjong Pagar guide.
Feature image adapted from @fpcseafood and @victuals8comestibles.
Shan Cheng serves legit Ipoh food inspired by two Ipoh-born sisters, including Ipoh hor fun,…
Snowsand, a popular Japanese confectionery brand from Hokkaido, is finally in Singapore! Check out their…
Restoran Hua Mui in Johor Bahru serves up all sorts of local favourites, including a…
Wawa Bakes has Labubu cookies and DIY sets online, for a limited time only! Get…
Check out our list for bak kut teh places in Singapore, including Hokkien style herbal…
Haidilao VivoCity has a $3++ DIY bubble tea buffet bar! Get unlimited servings of milk…