Cheap SMU food that is not cai png
If you are a fellow #SMUgger, you would understand the woes of trying to keep that GPA up. But whenever your brain feels like it is about to combust, or when you desperately need a break from the books, the best possible bet you can turn to is good food – even more so, cheap and good food. Thankfully, the central location of SMU also means that it is an enclave of good food, with hidden food gems that dish out mains less than $10. Even if you’re not a student at SMU,  you can also benefit from this #PSA on days you ain’t ballin’ and can’t afford to break the bank with expensive food in town.
1. Japanese Curry Express
Occupying a small space on the third floor of Fortune Centre, Japanese Curry Express offers classic Japanese dishes at affordable prices for days the Japanese cravings hit you hard. A signature dish is Mentai Don ($10/$13), which has torched salmon slices arranged neatly on a bed of chewy vinegared rice, complete with a dollop of creamy mentaiko mayo. If you’re on a really tight budget that day, a cheaper but still satisfying alternative would be their Pork Katsu Curry Rice ($7), which boasts a well-battered, deep-fried pork cutlet and generous ladle of thick curry.
Check out our full review of Japanese Curry Express!
Address: 190 Middle Road, #03-04, Fortune Centre, Singapore 188979
Directions from SMU: Exit SOE/SOSS or SIS and head towards Manulife Centre, walk along Bencoolen Street towards Fortune Centre. Estimated walking time: six minutes
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am to 3pm, 4:30pm to 8:30pm
Tel: 9689 6314
Website
2. The Big Cheese
Image credit: @misslazybutt
Besides specialities such as The Big Cheese ($7.90), which is assembled with truffled mac and cheese, pulled beef and torched gruyere cheese, The Big Cheese is also known for their Make-A-Mac ($6/$7.50) option. Diners will get to spice up their mac and cheese, choosing from a range of ingredients such as truffle oil, cheddar, beef bacon, and Doritos crumbs, as well as additional toppings and premium cheeses that cost an additional $0.50 each.
Check out more places with customisable food!
Address: 91 Bencoolen Street, #01-59, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Directions from SMU: Exit SOE/SOSS and walk along Prinsep Street towards Sunshine Plaza. Estimated walking time: five minutes
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 8147 0485
Website
3. Hotcakes Vegetarian
Image credit: @kathedrals
Hotcakes Vegetarian’s menu focuses on vegan and vegetarian versions of comfort Western food, such as pizza, pasta and burgers. A crowd-favourite is Meatball Pasta ($5.50), which has spaghetti tossed in a tangy tomato sauce, topped with air-fried vegan meatballs. If studying has made you ravenous, add fries and a drink to your meal for an additional $2. If you need a sweet pick-me-up, a variety of desserts are also available, from Cream Cakes ($3) to Chinese desserts such as Tau Suan ($2).
Check out more affordable vegetarian restaurants around Singapore!
Address: 190 Middle Road, #01-33, Fortune Centre, Singapore 188979
Directions from SMU: Exit SOE/SOSS or SIS and head towards Manulife Centre, walk along Bencoolen Street towards Fortune Centre. Estimated walking time: six minutes
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 8pm
Tel: 9023 6341
Website
4. The Cup
Image credit: @daphn3poon
The Cup is a one-stop destination for those who have a major K-Drama-induced craving to satisfy, as they serve up both traditional and fusion Korean dishes. Bibimbap ($10) is a safe bet to fall on. It consists of your choice of chicken, pork or beef on a bed of fragrant rice, assorted vegetables, gochujang sauce, and a raw egg. If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for Korean Spicy Cream Pasta ($8) which has pasta sautéed in a creamy spicy sauce, topped with oyster mushrooms and parmesan cheese. #Treatyoself to Cheese Cup Dessert ($8), essentially a single-serving bingsu studded with cubes of cheesecake and a drizzle of strawberry sauce.
Check out more places to get affordable bingsu at $10 or less and affordable Korean food!
Address: 1 Selegie Road, #01-05, PoMo, Singapore 188306
Directions from SMU: Exit SOE/SOSS and walk along Prinsep Street towards PoMo. Estimated walking time: four minutes
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6837 0636
Website
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5. Sing Ho Hainan Chicken Rice
Image credit: @y2jingaojiak
Bustling during lunch and dinner hours, Sing Ho Hainan Chicken Rice prides themselves in serving up fragrant and tender Hainanese chicken. Chicken Rice for Two Pax ($9) is great for sharing with bae, or opt for either dry or soup Dumpling Noodle ($3/$4/$5) if you’re craving something lighter. Help yourself to the condiments at the side, but be warned that the house-made chilli sauce packs quite the punch!
Address: 270 Middle Road, Singapore 188993
Directions from SMU: Exit SOE/SOSS and walk along Prinsep Street and Selegie Road, turn right on Middle Road. Estimated walking time: six minutes
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11:45pm
Tel: 6336 7579
WebsiteÂ
6. Merely Ice Cream
Image credit: Merely Ice Cream’s Facebook Page
Satiate your inner sweet tooth at Merely Ice Cream, which boasts a brightly coloured and cheerful exterior on the first floor of Sunshine Plaza. A variety of ice-cream flavours are served on a rotational basis, while new ones are churned out periodically. Dark Chocolate and Salted Butterscotch are two classic yet popular flavours that possess a creamy consistency and rich flavour profile. The latter even comprises extra bits of crunchy burnt sugar! Ice-cream is sold in single, double and triple scoops ($3.50, $6, $8.50), with premium flavours such as Hokkaido Milk and Peppermint Mocha going at an additional $0.70. If you’re feeling indulgent, pair your ice-cream with their crispy, golden-brown waffle ($3) for the ultimate sweet treat.
Address: 91 Bencoolen Street, #01-13, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Directions from SMU: Â Exit SOE/SOSS and walk along Prinsep Street towards Sunshine Plaza. Estimated walking time: five minutes
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm to 11pm
Tel: 6238 0890
Website
7. Thai Gold Food
Image credit: @sheeatshsucooks
Tucked inside Sunshine Plaza, Thai Gold Food dishes out classic and affordable Thai dishes. Chicken Pad Thai ($5) boasts a strong wok hei flavour, accentuated with Thai spices and traces of scrambled egg, coupled with a crunch from the beansprouts. Another classic Thai dish here is Basil Pork Rice ($5), which has minced pork stir-fried in a flavourful sauce, tinged with a little spiciness and served with a fried egg. Order Thai Milk Tea ($1.50) to accompany your meal, and await the impending food baby.
Check out more affordable Thai food places with mains below $10!
Address: 91 Bencoolen Street, #01-14, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Directions from SMU: Exit SOE/SOSS and walk along Prinsep Street towards Sunshine Plaza. Estimated walking time: five minutes
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 3:30pm, 5pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 6883 1575
8. Leong Yeow Famous Chicken Rice
Image credit: @mikelogy
Leong Yeow Famous Chicken Rice sports one of the longest queues in Nan Tai Eating House, and their plate of Hainanese chicken is usually spotted on almost every table. Steamed Chicken Rice ($3.80) has smooth and succulent chicken lightly flavoured with soy sauce and sesame oil, served with stellar chicken rice infused with a light aroma of chicken stock. For extra #gainz, Char Siew and Chicken Rice ($4) gives you an extra portion of roasted pork that’s tender, juicy, and well-caramelised without being too heavy on the palate. Â
Address: 261 Waterloo Street, #01-29, Nan Tai Eating House, Singapore 180261
Directions from SMU: Exit SIS and walk along Waterloo Street, turning right into Nan Tai Eating House. Estimated walking time: five minutes
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 8:30pm
Tel: 6334 3989
Website
9. Chirashi Tei
Image credit: @lingaloy
Chirashi Tei is just a stone’s throw away from the SMU campus, and dishes out the ultimate brain food – Bara Chirashi ($9.90) – to keep you going while mugging. Vinegared Japanese rice is topped with a sprinkling of nori (seaweed), and a generous amount of diced sashimi, including salmon and tuna. Cubes of tamago (sweetened Japanese omelette) adds a mild sweetness which cuts through all the savouriness. Unatama Don ($8.80) is another delicious alternative which consists of a thick slab of unagi smothered in a sticky teriyaki glaze, atop a bed of fluffy rice and simmered egg. P.S. present your SMU student card to enjoy a 15% discount!
Address: 51 Bras Basah Road, #01-03, Food Republic @ Manulife Centre, Singapore 189554
Directions from SMU: Cross Bras Basah road from SOE/SOSS level one towards Food Republic. Estimated walking time: two minutes
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 10pm
Tel: 6238 1601
10. Hot Spot Cafe Restaurant
Image credit: @kelly_kwan
Hot Spot Café Restaurant offers a variety of Chinese zi char dishes, as well as Thai-inspired dishes. However, it is their fish soup that keeps the crowd going back for more. Tom Yam Mixed Fish Soup ($5.40) offers you the best of both worlds with the textural contrast from the two types of fishes, while the broth packs a flavourful balance between spiciness and tartness. Carbs-wise, choose from nine options of noodles ($0.50 to $1.10), including house-made ban mian and instant noodles.
Address: 175 Bencoolen Street, #01-34, Burlington Square, Singapore 189649
Directions from SMU: Exit SOE/SOSS and walk along Bencoolen Street, passing by NAFA campus, towards Burlington Square. Estimated walking time: seven minutes
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 10:30pm
Tel: 6835 7752
Website
Cheap and good food to get you going
Fuel your day with good food that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. If you have other recommendations for cheap food around SMU, holler in the comments section below. Meanwhile, cheers to a full belly and a full wallet! Â
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