Bugis food guide
Bugis is both a shopper and foodie’s haven. Not only are there boutiques and malls all around the area, there are plenty of eateries to stop by between shopping sprees. Here are some of our favourite Bugis food places to check out.
Southeast Asian food—Thai, Indonesian, Singaporean, Vietnamese
1. Eleven Fingers
Look no further than Eleven Fingers for a hearty plate of curry rice! There’s an interesting story behind the name of this stall. Turns out, the owner of Eleven Finger has an extra finger! One meat and vegetable costs $3, while a small add-on such as an egg would cost $0.50 extra. Some recommended ingredients include Chap Chye, Tau Pok, Curry Chicken, Fried Egg and Braised Pork Belly. Come early if you’re hungry because queues start forming even before the store opens for business.
Read our Eleven Finger review.
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Eleven Fingers Scissors Curry Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
2. IndoBowl
Image credit: @indobowlofficial
IndoBowl, Singapore’s first Indomie-themed cafe, gets what this well-loved instant noodle brand is all about. Most of us have spent many a night slurping down a pack (or two) of Indomie for a guilty supper, but IndoBowl ups the sinful factor with their mammoth Indomie Mumbo Jumbo ($55.31++). The platter grabs the spotlight with a mountain of kecap manis-glazed noodles before delivering the knockout punch with its assortment of grilled meat. Consider your Indomie dreams fulfilled with this impressive set.
Read our IndoBowl review.
Website
IndoBowl is a halal-certified eatery.
3. Say Seng Cooked Food
Image credit: @followlin
Grab a quick meal at Albert Centre Food Centre and you’ll notice an unmistakable queue snaking around Say Seng Cooked Food. The hands behind this old-school eatery are tirelessly working during lunch hours, chopping down slab after slab of braised pork belly with methodical precision. For $10.50, a meal set comes with Lor Bak, Pig’s Organ Soup and a bowl of rice. This meal is sure to fill you up.
Say Seng Cooked Food is not a halal-certified eatery.
4. New Rong Liang Ge
Image credit: @aiohpue
New Rong Liang Ge not only stands as one of Singapore’s best spots for sio bak, but also one of the most affordable as well. A plate of Char Siew Rice only sets you back $3.50 here while their Char Siew & Roasted Pork Rice is priced at $4.50. If these cheap dishes don’t give your dollar a good stretch, their selection of double-boiled soups surely does the trick. Priced as low as $2.50, these warm bowls of soup taste best on a rainy day.
New Rong Liang Ge is not a halal-certified eatery.
5. PerghChicks
Previously a pasar malam stall, PerghChicks has since opened a permanent store at Haji Lane. This restaurant specialises in ayam percik, which is a rare find in Singapore. Their Nasi Kukus Volcano (from $12.50+) is great for those with a penchant for spice. This dish features a turmeric-infused chicken covered in a dense gravy, and a side of spicy sambal. Another must-try is their Percik Wings ($20+ for six pieces), which features a special house-made percik sauce that includes coconut cream, cashew nuts and more.
Check out our PerghChicks review.
Website
PerghChicks is a Muslim-owned eatery.
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6. Chin Chin Restaurant
Image credit: @smileasiaeducationcentre
Chin Chin Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in Singapore. Here, they specialise in Hainanese chicken rice. A set of chicken rice costs $6 and comes with your preferred chicken parts and a warm bowl of chicken broth. Their kampong chicken meat is known for being tender and juicy, so we recommend getting their roasted Half Chicken ($18) or Whole Chicken ($36) to share with your family or friends.
Read our Chin Chin Eating House review.
Website
Chin Chin Eating House is not a halal-certified eatery.
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7. Co Hai Banh Mi
Image credit: @chubbzles
The next time you’re on the search for the best banh mi in Singapore, add Co Hai Banh Mi to your list of Vietnamese restaurants to visit. Their Co Hai Baguette ($12) is made using house-baked bread and includes BBQ pork, ham, pork floss pate, and pickled vegetables. You can also try their Spicy Beef Noodle Soup ($11.90) for a rich broth simmered for more than 12 hours.
Read our Co Hai Banh Mi review!
Website
Co Hai Banh Mi is not a halal-certified eatery.
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8. New Station Rice Bar
From the famous New Station Snack Bar in Far East Plaza comes New Station Rice Bar! This new “sister outlet” serves wallet-friendly zi-char dishes, including their signature Salted Egg Chicken with Rice ($8.50) which features chunky pieces of pork chop coated in the buttery, decadent sauce. We liked their Wu Jia Pi Lala Collagen Soup ($10) too, for its heartiness and generous portion of clams.
Read our New Station Rice Bar review.
Website
New Station Rice Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
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9. Treasure Toast
Run by the same team behind Bao Er is Treasure Toast, where you can get really good kaya toast and hokkien mee. For the perfect Singaporean breakfast, get the Homemade Kaya Butter Toast Set ($6), comprising a choice of hot kopi or teh, two soft-boiled eggs, and four slices of kaya butter toast. If you’d like something more substantial, we recommend their Signature Fried Hokkien Mee ($8.80) featuring a good amount of deep-fried pork lard.
Read our Treasure Toast review.
Website
Treasure Toast is not a halal-certified eatery.
Treasure Toast: Famous Kaya Toast And Hokkien Mee By Bao Er Cafe In Bugis
Asian food—Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese
10. Una Una
Another unagi restaurant on the list, Una Una is a cheaper alternative to Man Man Unagi. Located at Bugis+, the restaurant serves one of the cheapest Unajyu meal sets in Singapore! For sides, we like to get the Grilled Squid ($19.40++) for its large portion of succulent, well-charred flesh.
Read our Una Una review.
Website
Una Una is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. Supreme Pork Chop Rice
Churning up affordable plates of Taiwanese fare, Supreme Pork Chop Rice frequently pops up on the lunch list of CBD workers. Just as the name suggests, this hidden gem in Bugis prides themselves on their mouth-watering Pork Chop Fried Rice ($5.50). Their cutlets offer a resonant crunch with every bite, unfurling in a burst of garlicky and cinnamon-ey accents.
Read our Supreme Pork Chop Rice review.
Website
Supreme Pork Chop Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
12. Chef China Hua Chu
Image credit: @michellelim_star
Chef China Hua Chu has unusual decor with its outer space theme. Enjoy an assortment of Sichuan skewers with their astronaut mascot which roams around the restaurant during peak hours. If you’re dining in a large group, share their Dry Fried Pig’s Large Intestine ($16.80++) or Spicy Chicken ($18.80++), bound to set your tongue on fire with the huge amounts of dried chilli. Chef China Hua Chu is also a great spot for supper in town, as it opens till 3am daily.
Read our Chef China review.
Website
Chef China is not a halal-certified eatery.
13. Bulgogi Syo
Bulgogi Syo offers a unique three-step grilling K-BBQ that has meat seared, torched, and flambeed. Their most popular specialty is the Angus Beef Ribeye ($29.90++). Chunks of juicy beef are seared and torched before they are served, and you get to see how they are flambéed. Pork belly lovers can also opt for their Duroc Pork Belly ($21.90++), a spicy dish with bits of seaweed that help to zhng up the savoury flavour.
Read our Bulgogi Syo review.
Website
Bulgogi Syo is not a halal-certified eatery.
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14. Ume San 100
Hidden behind a row of Japanese vending machines, Ume San 100 is where you can get the most extensive range of Japanese plum wines in Singapore. A good pairing with your alcoholic drinks is the Wagyu Saikoro Steak ($14+), which is essentially diced Wagyu seared with salt, pepper, and ponzu sauce. Otherwise, try their Angry Chasu Soup Ramen ($16+), comprising a milky tonkotsu broth with a miso base, springy noodles, asari clams, and ajitsuke tamago AKA ramen egg.
Read our Ume San 100 review.
Website
Ume San 100 is not a halal-certified eatery.
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15. Joo Bar
Image credit: @nomnombytnt
Another Korean restaurant on this list is Joo Bar, where you can try a variety of rice wine AKA makgeolli. With a wide range of 12 flavours to choose from, we encourage you to get their Makgeolli Sampler Set ($35++) to try as many as possible. Each set comes with five flavours: Mango, Mixed Berries, Strawberry, Yucha, and Original. A good pairing with your rice wine would be the Kimchi Fried Rice ($12++), which features pork belly and sous vide egg, or Army Stew ($16+).
Read our Joo Bar review.
Website
Joo Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
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16. So Do Fun
Image credit: @sodofun.sg
So Do Fun is said to be one of the most famous Sichuan boiled fish joints in China. Apparently, they sell more than a million sets of Boiled Live Fish (from $42.90++) every year! This dish consists of fish chunks cooked in the soup of your choice: Chilli Pepper, Peppercorn or Sauerkraut. According to the restaurant, the fish is imported by plane every day to ensure its freshness.
Read our So Do Fun review.
Website
So Do Fun is not a halal-certified eatery.
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17. Wong Fu Fu
Wong Fu Fu is where you can get halal-certified Taiwanese fare in Bugis. This stall has customisable hot plate dishes. First, choose your protein, which includes options such as Taiwan Fried Chicken ($25.90++), Grilled Mixed Seafood ($31.90++) or Striploin Steak ($27.90++). Then, you can choose between rice or noodles, and the kind of sauces to go on the hot plate.
Read our Wong Fu Fu review.
Website
Wong Fu Fu is a halal-certified eatery.
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Fusion food
18. Husk Nasi Lemak
Husk Nasi Lemak takes the coconut rice dish to a whole new level with their modern and fusion interpretation of the typical nasi lemak elements. The highlight of the Signature Chicken Cutlet Set ($10.80) is the crispy chicken cutlet, which features a juicy slab of thigh meat coated in a batter perfected in Taiwan. That same batter is used as a garnishing to add more crunch. Enjoy the ajitsuke tamago with their house-made sambal for a sweet and spicy kick. If you like your chicken grilled instead, opt for the Grilled Chicken Set ($10.80), which is inspired by Thailand’s grilled pork skewers. The chicken thigh is beautifully caramelised, thanks to the sweet marinade.
Read our Husk Nasi Lemak review.
Website
Husk is a halal-certified eatery.
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19. Box n Sticks
Nestled on a quiet stretch in Kampong Glam, Box n Sticks has become a preferred night haunt for many with their chill vibes and cosy ambience. If that isn’t reason enough to visit this cosy izakaya for a relaxing post-work tipple, most of their dishes also taste superb with a pint of beer.
Pair their beer or sake with their signature Spicy Aburi Seafood Maki ($18.90+), which features a sushi roll crammed with torched salmon, prawn tempura, and crabstick. A dash of house-made chilli sauce caps off this kaleidoscopic treat, cutting through the richness of the seafood and the fizziness of the beer with its tangy bite.
Read our Box n Sticks review!
Website
Box n Sticks is not a halal-certified eatery.
20. The Padangton
Opened in 2023, The Padangton has food with influences from Padang, a city in Indonesia. They are best known for their Lamb Shank Rendang Padangton ($27++), which features a crispy pastry packed with tender lamb shank rendang—think beef Wellington, but with a delightful twist! There’s also the Pulut Sushi Rendang Padangton ($16.50++): yellow glutinous rice stuffed with beef rendang, and topped with fried grated coconut. If it helps, the eatery is located across The Ramen Stall!
Read our The Padangton review!
Website
The Padangton is a halal-certified eatery.
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21. Mahmud’s Tandoor
Founded by an Indian-Pakistani couple, Mahmud’s Tandoor is well-loved for their tandoori chicken burgers. Their Crispydoori Burger ($12) is a must-try; you get a slab of deep-fried chicken thigh meat that is evenly marinated with tandoori spices and doused in harissa mayonnaise, and a slice of cheese packed between two brioche buns. Alternatively, get their OG Burger ($12) if you prefer tender chicken thigh meat that is baked instead of fried. We also recommend getting their Masala Fries (from $4) to go with your burgers.
Check out our Mahmud’s Tandoor review.
Website
Mahmud’s Tandoor is a Muslim-owned eatery.
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22. Pancake & Waffle Place
Pancake fans will love Pancake & Waffle Place, where you get s’mores waffles and pancakes served with smoked salmon and sour cream. From their pancake selection, Grilled Tiger Prawn ($20.90++) is a popular choice among customers. Three thick pancakes are topped with tiger prawns, then doused in a creamy and mildly spicy sauce. If you’re a waffle to pancake kinda foodie, give their Ham & Cheese Waffle ($22.90++) a shot. You get buttery waffles and ham drenched in hollandaise sauce, then topped with a fried egg as the final touch.
Read our Pancake & Waffle Place review.
Website
Pancake & Waffle Place is a halal-certified eatery.
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23. Mashi no Mashi
Bugis is home to lots of ramen places, but they are not quite like Mashi No Mashi, a famous chain with a unique Ultra Wagyu Ramen ($22++). This eatery replaces pork bones that are usually used to make ramen broth with Wagyu beef bones, thereby creating a beef-flavoured “tonkotsu” broth with a distinct meaty aroma. We got tender pieces of beef chashu too, which was the highlight of the bowl due to the way the meat melts in your mouth.
Read our Mashi No Mashi review.
Website
Mashi no Mashi is not a halal-certified eatery.
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24. Beyond the Dough
For something more atas, head to Beyond the Dough for their artisanal pizza. The chef-owner, Mr Eddie Murakami, has experience working in Pizza Strada and Pizza Studio Tamaki, both of which are highly-respected pizza institutions in Japan. Murakami makes Tokyo-style Neapolitan pizza, where the crust is thinner and the firm elasticity of the pizza dough is retained. When we visited, we tried their prawn noodle-inspired Singapore Rampage ($39++) and liked the spicy, umami-packed flavour a lot.
Read our Beyond The Dough review.
Website
Beyond the Dough is not a halal-certified eatery.
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Other cuisines
25. Overrice
Another halal-friendly eatery on this list, Overrice serves Mediterranean-style rice bowls and pita pockets. The Grain-Fed Beef Bowl ($14) is a crowd-favourite here, with fragrant basmati rice served with slow-cooked pulled beef and fresh vegetables. The bowl is doused in a “secret white sauce” which reminds us of a blend of Greek yoghurt and mayonnaise. For a lighter option, taste the Grilled Chicken Pita Pocket ($8), which features chicken and shredded lettuce in a toasted pita. Portions here are generous, as pita bread is also offered as an accompaniment to the rice bowls.
Read our Overrice review.
Website
Overrice is a halal-certified eatery.
26. Huevos
Known for serving tasty and wallet-friendly Mexican food in Bugis, Huevos is the place to sort your cravings. For those going in a group, we recommend their Loaded Nachos ($20++), a beautiful mess of chicken, guacamole, cheese, pickled jalapenos, and onions. To go with your nachos, get their Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas ($16++) or Al Pastor Pork Quesadillas ($16++). You can pay an additional $3++ for an extra blanket of cheese to make your quesadillas even more moreish and flavourful.
Read our Huevos review.
Website
Huevos is not a halal-certified eatery.
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27. Smashed
ICYMI: smash burgers have become one of the trendiest foods in London recently, so Smashed opened their doors near Haji Lane to create their own version here in Singapore. There are only three burgers on the menu: Classic Smashed ($10), House Smashed ($10), and Spicy Smashed ($12). If it’s your first visit, we recommend starting with the House Smashed, featuring a house-made sauce that pairs well with the savouriness of the melted cheese. For those who can handle spice, get the Spicy Smashed instead; the Sambal Balado Sauce in this burger was incredibly delicious!
Read our Smashed review.
Website
Smashed is a halal-certified eatery.
28. Wooly’s Bagels
Popular bagel sandwich brand Wooly’s Bagels at Arab Street is always bustling with locals and tourists. Their crowd-favourite GTFBagel ($15.50) boasts a winning combination of creamy scrambled eggs, chicken ham, a hashbrown, and a generous layer of truffle mayonnaise. Else, the Barnyard Birdie XL ($16.80) is sure to fill your stomach with its huge, deep-fried chicken thigh cutlet.
Read our Wooly’s Bagels review.
Website
Wooly’s Bagels is not a halal-certified eatery.
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Snacks, drinks, and desserts
29. Belle-ville Pancake Cafe
Belle-ville Pancake Cafe is my top pick for a satisfying and IG-worthy tower of souffle pancakes. One of their popular items is Matcha Red Bean Pancake ($13.20++ for four, $18.20++ for eight), which is a glorious combination of matcha, red bean, and blackberries. To get that extra splash of colour, and a dose of fruity sweetness, fork out that extra dollar and treat yourself to the Strawberry & Mix Berry Pancake ($12.90++ for two, $16.40++ for four) instead.
Read our Belle-ville Pancake Cafe review.
Website
Belle-ville Pancake Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
30. June Bakery
June Bakery’s Orh Nee Tart ($1.50) is elusive. The bakery is only open four days a week, and is often sold out by 1pm. But if you manage to get your hands on one of their tarts, you will understand why they’re so popular. The tart is filled end-to-end with smooth yam paste that’s not overly sweet; while their crust of choice is a savoury and buttery shortcrust. These no-frill tarts are usually snapped up in the dozens by nearby office workers, so visit the bakery early to avoid disappointment! Pro tip: place an order with the shop owners in advance to secure a box of these delights!
Read our June Bakery review.
Address: 7500A Beach Road, #B1-321, The Plaza, Singapore 199591
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 2:30pm
Tel: 9731 3002
Website
June Bakery is not a halal-certified eatery.
31. Shinfuni
Image credit: @shinfuni_sg
Located in Bugis Junction is Shinfuni, a Taiwanese bakery with a good selection of bakes to choose from. An item that sells like hotcakes is their Shinfuni Signature Hokkaido Cream Apple Pie ($3.80), a buttery pastry filled with Hokkaido cream and apple chunks. For something savoury, opt for their Taro Mochi Lava Bun ($3.80).
Read our Shinfuni review!
Address: 200 Victoria Street, #B1-K04, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 8899 0021
Website
Shinfuni is not a halal-certified eatery.
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32. YY Kafei Dian
Dubbed one of the best kopi stalls in Singapore, YY Kafei Dian offers Hainanese-style coffee along Beach Road. It’d be a pity to leave without trying their Kaya Bun ($1.70+), which comprises toasted house-made buns with a sweet kaya spread anda slab of salted butter for a rich and savoury finish. Don’t forget to pair your bun with a cup of Iced Kopi ($2+) which is known to be a best-seller.
Read our YY Kafei Dian review.
Website
YY Kafei Dian is not a halal-certified eatery.
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33. Cornercove
If you’re on the hunt for the best acai shops in Singapore, you should pay Cornercove a visit for DIY acai bowls with unlimited toppings. Even better, the ingredients here are all-natural with no sugar added! After you’ve decided on a Regular ($9.90) or Large ($14.90) bowl, you can choose your base that ranges from Acai and Pitaya to Matcha and Coconut. We recommend their Tropical Paradise to beat the sultry weather; this bowl stars a pretty combination of passionfruit, peach, and mango. To elevate your acai bowl, you can add a huge scoop of Blue Chia Pudding or Raspberry Chia Pudding.
Read our Cornercove review.
Website
Cornercove is not a halal-certified eatery, but uses no pork or lard.
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34. Yat Ka Yan
Image credit: @yatkayan
Yat Ka Yan needs little introduction—this is often the first place that comes to mind when it comes to traditional desserts in Bugis. Their Durian Chendol ($7.50) is well-known for its rich durian paste and super-fragrant gula melaka. If durian is not your thing, then try their Yammy Chendol ($6.50) where a chunky taro paste is added in place of the funky fruit.
Read our Yat Ka Yan review.
Website
Yat Ka Yan is not a halal-certified eatery.
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35. Duke Dessert
Situated right next to Yat Ka Yan is Duke Desserts. This store makes really good Durian Chendol ($6.80) too. Plus, most of their toppings are made from scratch in-store! When we visited this eatery, we liked their Beancurd Grass Jelly With Ice Cream and Tapioca Balls ($6.90) the most, especially for their chestnut tapioca boba, which had a crunchy interior and jelly-like coating.
Read our Duke Dessert review.
Website
Duke Dessert is not a halal-certified eatery.
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What to eat at Bugis
From small bites to filling meals, these eats in Bugis are sure to satisfy you. If, like me, you’ve come to this part of town to restock your wardrobe, remember that a happy belly makes a happier shopper!
For more good eats in the area, read our guide to the best Bugis cafes. Alternatively, read our guide to the best Bugis hawker stalls with good and cheap food.
17 Bugis Cafes For All-Day Brunch, Souffle Pancakes And More
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