I used to frequent Plaza Singapura at Dhoby Ghaut regularly as a kid. My family and I would catch a movie, and walk around Spotlight and Marks & Spencer, before getting a meal at a restaurant or the food court. However, I eventually realised that Dhoby Ghaut doesn’t just consist of Plaza Singapura; there are so many more places to explore in the area. Here is a handful for those who are in search of good food at Dhoby Ghaut.
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Image credit: @thebigcheese
Customise your mac and cheese at The Big Cheese at $5.90! If you can’t decide what to get, try their signature The Big Cheese ($7.90) – a mixture of truffle mac and cheese and pulled beef, topped with gruyere. Another must-try would be their All American ($7.90). Topped off with a runny sunny side up, the dish is made up of classic mac and cheese, crispy bacon and sausage.
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The Big Cheese is a Muslim-owned eatery.
Image credit: @cassandrachong_
Thai Gold Food is often packed with students due to its affordable prices. Many have sung praises about their Basil Pork Rice ($6.50), but don’t limit yourself to that. They offer many classic Thai dishes, including Tom Yum Goong ($13) and Pad Thai ($6), as well as more interesting dishes such as Fried Green Curry Chicken Rice ($6). Wash it all down with their Thai Iced Milk Tea that’s priced at $2!
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Thai Gold Food is not a halal-certified eatery.
You’d often see I’m Kim Korean BBQ bustling with people, especially during lunch, due to their affordable prices. At $18.90++ for a weekday buffet lunch, you get to help yourself with the array of meat and side dishes. Don’t miss out on their spicy volcano chicken and kimchi pancake; many will be fighting for them, so don’t snooze or you’ll lose. The buffet goes at $28.90++ for dinner every Monday to Thursday, $18.90++ for weekend lunches, and $29.90++ for dinner every Friday to Sunday.
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I’m Kim Korean BBQ is not a halal-certified eatery.
Here’s a place for nostalgia seekers: Mama Diam is a speakeasy decorated to look like a mama store, a small provision store in our neighbourhoods that has become an important part of the millennial zeitgeist. Even better, the bar offers familiar local cuisines with a fun and trendy twist. Our favourite was the Chilli Soft Shell Crab Bao ($23++) as the well-seasoned house-made chilli crab sauce was incredibly delicious. We recommend pairing your meal with their specially curated cocktails, such as The OG Kopi ($20++), which features a whisky base combined with a Nanyang traditional coffee.
Read our Mama Diam review!
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Mama Diam is not a halal-certified eatery.
The Hakka-style Braised Meat Rice ($9++) at Isshin Machi stood out to us thanks to the generous portion of toppings, including braised meat, pickled vegetables, and hard-boiled egg. For those who prefer noods to rice, get the Shrimp and Pork Wonton Noodles with Fiery Chilli Oil ($10.10++). This dish features a winning combination of springy noodles topped with meaty dumplings, and a punchy chilli oil as the finishing touch. Even better, Isshin Machi’s interior is beautifully decorated with art murals of Taiwan’s iconic landmarks, making you feel as though you’re actually dining in Taiwan!
Check out our full Isshin Machi review!
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Isshin Machi is not a halal-certified eatery.
Enjoy me-time at LaJiangShan Hotpot, where each diner has its own mini hotpot and grill! The restaurant offers a cheap weekday lunch buffet at $18.80++ only, with free-flow ingredients such as Lobster Balls, and King Oyster Mushrooms, along with marinated meats such as their Secret Spicy Chicken. The dinner buffet is also relatively affordable at $28.80++ with premium ingredients such as Flower Crab, Fish Ball With Fish Roe, and American Beef. FYI, the restaurant opens till 6am, which makes them a great supper spot!
Read our full LaJiangShan Hotpot review!
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LaJiangShan Hotpot is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Darren Sim
For a late-night dessert spot, Rochor Original Beancurd is here to serve till 12:30am during the weekends! The eatery has been serving since 1955, so you know their offerings are legit. Get their famous Hot/Cold Beancurd ($2), Hot/Cold Soya bean Milk ($1.50), and Cold Grass Jelly ($2.50). Else, they are also known for snacks such as the Egg Tart ($2.50), Salted Bun ($1.50), and You Tiao ($1.50).
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Rochor Original Beancurd is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Image credit: Pi Food
Led by an ex-restaurant chef, this modern cha chaan teng has over 100 items on the menu. Out of the many dishes available, their must-tries include the Iberico Pork Chop served with Shallot Oil and Rice ($16.00++) and Feng Cheng Shrimp Dumpling Noodle ($10.80++). Many customers love their dishes for the prominent taste of wok hei in each dish! Also, Pi Food makes for a great lunch spot for those working or studying around the area as it’s located near the MRT Station.
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Pi Food is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @ganko.sushi_sg
Omakase tends to be pricey in Singapore, but Ganko Sushi proves otherwise with their Chef’s Value Omakase priced at $98++ per person only! You can sit in front of the chef for more action, as he flame-torches the fish right by the bar! However, if you would rather order the dishes individually, they cost a bit more as the signature Sashimi Platter 8 Types costs $122++. This Japanese restaurant is also great for important corporate lunches, or simply to impress your date!
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Ganko Sushi is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @lilac.oak
This one is for those who love their greens: Lilac Oak is a vegetarian-friendly cafe that serves wholesome brunches! Their signatures include the House-Special Bibimbap with Sweet Potato Rice ($16.90+) and Gochujang Rose Penne ($16.90+). Another crowd favourite is the Mushroom Knife-cute Noodles Stir-fry ($16.90+), which features noodles made from yam that’s mixed with their secret sauce along with a variety of vegetables. Fun fact: the cafe is allium-free as well, making it a great brunch option for Buddhists.
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Lilac Oak is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Image credit: Joe Nagawa
This one’s for all Korean food lovers: Kim Dae Mun is one for the books as they offer cheap and authentic Korean fare. Their Kimchi Soup With Pork ($9.50) is a crowd favourite; this comforting dish comprises a mildly spicy soup with pork, tofu, and kimchi. We recommend paying an additional $1.50 for their Red Bean Rice to make your meal even more substantial. It is no wonder this place is always crowded with students and office workers during lunchtime!
Read our Kim Dae Mun feature.
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Kim Dae Mun is not a halal-certified eatery.
Co Chung is said to offer some of the most authentic and affordable Vietnamese dishes in Dhoby Ghaut. Their Pho Beef Noodle Soup ($12.50+) is the most popular item—this tastes best when paired with side dishes such as Water Fern Cake ($7.90+), which comprises five pieces of steamed rice cakes topped with shrimp, and drenched in scallion oil with a special sweet fish sauce. For those who love variety in their food, there’s the Vermicelli with Grilled Meat and Crispy Spring Roll ($16.90+) featuring vermicelli, grilled meat, vegetables, and crispy spring rolls.
Check out our full Co Chung review!
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Co Chung is not a halal-certified eatery.
This one’s for the seafood lovers: Cajun On Wheels has customisable seafood buckets (from $34++), where you can choose from a variety of seafood such as crabs, lobsters, prawns, clams, and blue mussels. If you’re not up for the messy experience, we recommend the Charcoal Grill Squid ($24.50++) which comes with corn and cauliflower.
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Cajun On Wheels is a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Sammi Ng
For family gatherings or corporate lunches, Nanjing Impressions makes for an ideal restaurant to visit. Their signature dish is the Jinling Roast Duck at $18.80++ per portion, which comes with a sweet and savoury sauce. You also get to enjoy eating traditional Chinese cuisine such as Steamed Glutinous Rice With Pork ($12.80++) and Honey-Glazed Stuffed Lotus Root ($12.80++). The former comprises well-marinated glutinous rice with pork belly slices, while the latter is stuffed with glutinous rice, and glazed with pear and honey syrup.
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Nanjing Impressions is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Shirley Odelia
Frequent visitors of Dhoby Ghaut would be familiar with Arteastiq DePatio and their vibey decor! This restaurant used to be known for their atas high tea, but now they are better known for pizzas. Their 72-hour aged pizza dough is what makes their pizza so tasty—the crust is said to be light and crispy. Many love their Parma Ham Margherita Pizza ($29++), but you can also treat yourself by trying their signature Boston Lobster Pizza at $59++.
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Arteastiq DePatio is not a halal-certified eatery.
Dhoby Ghaut is home to plenty of restaurants, and you’ll be able to find somewhere to fill your tummy no matter your budget.
For more food places to check out around the area, read our Orchard Central food guide, GR.ID Mall food guide and SMU food guide.
Feature image adapted from @ganko.sushi_sg and Pi Food
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