Say the word ‘sando’, and everyone immediately recognises that you’re referring to a sandwich. But here’s where the term originated—サンドイッチ, read as san-do-it-chi in Japanese—or ‘sando’, for short.
We’ve borrowed the phrase in the same way the Japanese romanised what was the fourth Earl of Sandwich’s favourite food, and love it possibly for the same reasons he did: it’s a meal in a nifty handful. If you dig sandos, here’s a guide to 20 places in Singapore for loaded sandwiches and more.
If loaded sandwiches weren’t a thing before, Korio certainly put them on the map when the hole-in-the-wall shop opened back in 2020. They also sell NYC-style doughnuts, but it’s the selection of sandwiches available in this CBD eatery that people come for.
Their most basic sando is a Grilled Cheese ($15), filled with cheddar, American cheese, marinated Roma tomatoes, plus caramelised onions to cut through that savouriness. Then you have the Biggie Croque ($16), which is their sandwich interpretation of the Croque Monsieur: stuffed with smoked turkey ham, bechamel, cheddar, Swiss cheese, caramelised onions, and mustard.
Do note that only selected sandwiches are available each day, so take a look at their menu to check it out and preorder your sammies!
Read our Korio review.
Address: 135 Amoy Street, #01-03, Far East Square, Singapore 049964
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 2pm
Tel: 9771 6491
Website
Korio is not a halal-certified eatery.
Lesser known is 46 Mittsu, which started out selling rice bowls, but earned their stripes with the sandwiches on offer. There are only seven of these, filled with either your typical breakfast suspects including bacon, eggs, and PB&J, or hunks of meat such as pork ribs, beef, and more.
A fan favourite is the B.E.C ($14), where the thick-cut bacon is also house-made. It comes with creamy scrambled eggs and cheese in between sweet brioche slices—we loved the balance of flavours in the sammies!
Read our 46 Mittsu review!
Address: 2 Everton Park, #01-61, Singapore 081002
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 3pm
Website
46 Mittsu is not a halal-certified eatery.
Unlike most other cafes, Breakfast Grill in East Coast is open every day of the week: a most convenient sandwich spot for those living in the Siglap-Joo Chiat area. No less than four cheeses star in Cheeses ($12), which is their take on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. The bread is also spread with a house-made garlic spread, adding an extra level of yum. Pair it with Tomato Soup ($5) that’s also made in-house.
What sets the sammies here apart from the competition is Hot Chick ($16), which is pretty reasonably priced considering the whole chicken thigh you get. That’s not all—the deep-fried chicken comes with scrambled eggs, pickled jalepeno peppers, house-made garlic aioli, and crushed Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeno Cheese Flavoured Cheetos.
Read our Breakfast Grill review!
Address: 380 East Coast Road, Singapore 428986
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 4pm
Tel: 8363 9502
Website
Breakfast Grill is not a halal-certified eatery.
Cafe Kitsune is a famous French-Japanese chain that recently opened its doors at Capitol Singapore in December 2022. While they’re most popular for their dainty desserts, such as the Paris-Brest ($12), they also serve two types of savoury sandwiches: Egg Sando ($13) and Chicken Katsu Sando ($15). The former looks like something you’d get at a convenience store in Japan, but zhng-ed up with whole jammy eggs within.
Before you leave, check out their glass display of bakes, featuring Japanese-inspired treats such as Matcha Croissant ($13).
Read our Cafe Kitsune review.
Address: 13 Stamford Road, #01-11, Capitol Singapore, Singapore 178905
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
Café Kitsuné is not a halal-certified eatery
Popular cafe Hello Arigato recently launched at Everton Park with two new outlet-exclusive sandos! Get the Whisky BBQ Katsu Sando ($18+), a sweet-savoury combination of fried chicken, Suntory whisky BBQ sauce, and apple slaw. There’s also the Asian-inspired Kong Bah Sando ($18+) that comes with super chunky pork belly slices, pickled Japanese mustard greens, and slaw. What’s more, the cafe bakes its own shokupan for the sandos!
Don’t miss out on their desserts, too. Come early for their freshly baked milk doughnuts in flavours such as Uji Matcha ($5.50+) and Kinako Soy ($5+).
Read our Hello Arigato review.
Address: 4 Everton Park, #01-02, Singapore 080004
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8:30am to 9pm
Tel: 8308 0103
Website
Hello Arigato is not a halal-certified eatery
Helmed by one Michelin-starred Chef Lewis Barker, Cafe Natsu serves up a mean brunch with Japanese influences. They recently opened their second cafe at Dhoby Ghaut, following their Joo Chiat opening. Their Wagyu Sando ($26++) is a must-try; this beautiful sandwich comprises slow-cooked Wagyu with shokupan, complemented by yushu kosho mayo and shishito pepper ketchup. You also get a side of skinny fries sprinkled with a Japanese spice powder on the side.
For dessert, order the Kurozato Brown Sugar Tart ($12++), a nougat-like tart that’s sweet, nutty, and decadent.
Read our Cafe Natsu review!
Website | Full list of outlets
Cafe Natsu is not a halal-certified eatery
If you frequent Orchard or Somerset, you might have come across Equate Coffee‘s latest digs at Orchard Central. This minimalist space is the popular cafe’s second outlet, where you’ll find new outlet-exclusive items on the menu, alongside long-time favourites. The Tonkatsu ($15.80) sando is a popular choice that comes with panko-crusted pork loin, shredded cabbage, sesame dressing, and Emmental cheese. Otherwise, go for the Rueben ($18.80): house-made beef slices that are brined and sous vide for extra tenderness.
Read our Equate Coffee review!
Address: 81 Orchard Road, #01-17A, Orchard Central, Singapore 238896
Opening hours: Daily 9:30am to 8:30pm
Website
Equate Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
San.wich is a new takeaway concept by local bakery Swee Heng. Here they specialise in colourful sandos that don’t break the bank—think savoury sandwiches such as Tuna Corn w Egg, Fish Fillet w Egg, and Chicken Ham w Egg Mayo at just $2.80 a box. You’ll also find sweet sandos at a steal, including the Assorted Fruits Sandwich ($3.20), an aesthetically pleasing snack with fresh fruit chunks and sweet cream. The sandwich bread is also made with natural ingredients, sans nasties and additives.
Check out our San.wich review!
Address: 11 Bidadari Park Drive, #B1-K14, The Woodleigh Mall, Singapore 367803
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
San.wich is a halal-certified eatery.
There are sandos, and then there is Sando, tucked away in Alexandra Technopark, and only open for five hours each day. They’ve even upped their sandoitchi game with the Truffle Tamagoyaki ($12), a jazzed-up egg sandwich where slices of shokupan hold together tamagoyaki, egg salad, truffle sauce, and kombu mayonnaise.
Outside of the two breakfast sandwiches, the menu is heavily influenced by Japanese flavours, evident in the Tori Karaage ($13), Braised Chashu ($15), and Yuzu Yakitoro ($14) sammies. Considering you get an extra thicc, free-range Gooralie pork loin in the Gooralie Tonkatsu Sando, $16.50 is well worth it.
Read our Sando review!
Address: 438C Alexandra Road, #01-04A, Alexandra Technopark, Singapore 119976
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am to 2:30pm
Tel: 9771 0388
Website
Sando is not a halal-certified eatery.
Menbolah has gained traction in the internet sphere with its Korean-inspired sandos. Unlike the other spots on this list, they’ve also got menbosha, AKA Korean shrimp toast!
The takeaway-only kiosk has a rather comprehensive selection, including bite-sized MenboBites, or snack-worthy mini shrimp toasties. On the full-sized sandwich side, there’s Nacho Cheese Chicken Cutlet Garlic Toast ($7.90), with a fried chicken cutlet and Korean veggie patty enveloped by garlic toast. Otherwise, the Beef Bulgogi Garlic Toast ($8.70) features the quintessential Korean beef dish, also between slices of garlic toast.
Read our Menbolah review.
Address: 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #01-15, Singapore 082001
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 9pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 9144 3348
Website
Menbolah is not a halal-certified eatery.
Singaporeans went stir-crazy when L.A. food truck and egg sandwich extraordinaire Eggslut set up shop here, and with good reason. Their signature Fairfax Sandwich ($12) almost has more egg than bun, and each batch of the free-range scrambled eggs takes something like five minutes of laborious stirring over low heat.
There’s also a Gaucho Sandwich ($27), where seared Wagyu tri-tip steak is offset by a delectable chimichurri sauce, and a sunny-side up. Otherwise, more standard choices here are the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich ($12), or Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwich ($12).
Read our Eggslut review!
Address: 6 Scotts Road, #01-12, Scotts Square, Singapore 228209
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 9pm
Website
Eggslut is not a halal-certified eatery
Previously located on Queen Street in Bras Basah, The Lowef Shack, or The Löwe’f Shack—pronounced loaf—is the family-owned bakery-cafe’s version 2.0, still serving their artisanal bread and food. They’re still getting into the swing of things at their new location in Springleaf Nature Park so the full menu is not available yet. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for updates!
Fans love their Good Morning Burger (from $8), prepared with a house-made, sourdough brioche bun. Free-range scrambled eggs—for which they gained notice—sambal mayo, spiced caramelised onions, and cheddar complete this sandwich. They also have a simpler Eggtastic Sando at $6 that comprises only brioche and eggs.
Address: 1230 Upper Thomson Road, #01-02, Springleaf Nature Park, Singapore 787129
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 6pm
Tel: 8767 4859
Website
The Lowef Shack is not a halal-certified eatery.
Tonkatsu ENbiton is a new Japanese restaurant in VivoCity that specialises in yuzu pork: a breed of pig from Kagoshima, Japan, which is fattened on a feed including yuzu. This is said to result in juicier and more flavourful pork, with a higher nutritional value as well.
Get their Signature Yuzu Pork ($17++) sando, which features thick toast with a slab of deep-fried pork and a cabbage-arugula sandwich, paired with a smoky-sweet teriyaki sauce. Other flavours include Miyazaki Wagyu Katsu Sando ($37++) and Chicken Katsu Sando ($11++), if you’re not a fan of pork!
Read our Tonkatsu ENbiton review.
Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk, #B2-27/27A, VivoCity, Singapore 098585
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6268 8633
Website
Tonkatsu ENbiton is not a halal-certified eatery
Yet another term for sandwich is “sarnie”, so with a name like Sarnies, you can be sure this cafe knows what they’re doing. Their sandwiches are primarily available on the lunch menu on weekdays between 11am and 3pm, though you do get a Bacon & Egg Sarnie ($16++) on the breakfast and brunch menus. The Sloppy Joe Beef Sarnie ($24++) is another popular choice if you want something heartier; this toastie comes with tender ground beef, mixed cheese, and pickled jalapenos on country sourdough.
Address: 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 10pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am to 3:30pm
Website
Sarnies is not a halal-certified eatery.
Monday Coffee Bar is another heartland gem, with a Japanese-inspired space and affordable sandos to boot. One of the sammies here is the Chicken Katsu ($8.50), a somewhat healthier, oven-baked katsu with greens and a maple nut sauce.
Also on the menu are a Luncheon Tamagoyaki Sando ($7.50) and a meat-free Miso Sweet Potato ($5.80) sandwich, spread with miso butter, and full of a roasted honey sweet potato mash within.
Address: 421 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Singapore 560421
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:30pm, Sat-Sun 9:30am to 6pm
Website
Monday Coffee Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
Cafe Lilac by Whisking Bakes is most known for their orh nee-themed desserts, but they also have a wallet-friendy yam-infused sandwiche. The Taro Pork Floss Sando ($5.50) pairs sweet house-made yam paste with pork floss, held between freshly toasted bread. The earthy notes of the creamy orh nee complements the sweet-savoury pork floss; it’s a party in the mouth! Before you leave, check out their other taro treats, too. The Taro Choux ($8), which combines orh nee cream and choux pastry, is a fan favourite.
Read our Cafe Lilac by Whisking Bakes review!
Address: 466 Crawford Lane, #01-08, Singapore 190465
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11:30am to 9pm, Fri 11:30am to 11:30pm, Sat 10am to 11:30pm, Sun 10am to 4pm
Tel: 8850 5918
Website
Cafe Lilac by Whisking Bakes is not a halal-certified eatery.
Wagyu specialty restaurant and store Gyu San has an A5 Striploin Katsu Sando ($48++), which stars 200g of A5 Wagyu striploin deep-fried with a thin panko coating. This premium slab of melt-in-the-mouth goodness is sandwiched between shokupan and wasabi aioli for a punchy flavour. Those on a tighter budget can for the more affordable Tamagoyaki Sando ($18++) or Ebi Sando ($28++) instead. Complete your meal with a side of Wagyu Chips ($8++): Russet potato chips fried in top-grade Wagyu fat.
Read our Gyu San review!
Address: 7 Wallich Street, #01-03, Guoco Tower, Singapore 078884
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 9pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 9pm
Website
Gyu San is not a halal-certified eatery.
Popular Kovan brunch spot Lola’s Cafe has opened their second outlet in Holland Village! Here they serve an outlet-exclusive Tsukune Sando ($17++): Japanese chicken patty with tamagoyaki, pickled daikon, slaw, cheddar, and furikake mayo. Everything is held together by brioche slices.
If you want something less fancy, order their Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($16++), a sourdough sandwich with halloumi, cheddar, and mozzarella, zhnged up with house-made smoked ketchup.
Read our full Lola’s Cafe Holland Village review!
Address: 48 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277699
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10am to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 9:30pm
Website
Lola’s Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery
Popular Japanese cafe Pipes by Hattendo specialises in sandos and unique cream puffs. They have an extensive selection of sandwich flavours here, including the Dashimaki Mentai Tamago ($14++): a stacked sando with tamagoyaki, mentaiko sauce, yuzu mayo, and karashi (vinegared) mayo. For something more savoury and meaty, grab the Hokkaido Wagyu Beef Patty ($20++) which comprises a thick Wagyu patty paired with Hamburg sauce and karashi mayo.
What’s more, the cafe is conveniently located right outside Outram Park MRT Station!
Read our Pipes by Hattendo review.
Address: 331 New Bridge Road, #01-02, Dorsett Residences, Singapore 088764
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 9am to 6pm, Sun 9am to 5pm
Tel: 8113 6096
Website
Pipes by Hattendo is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @blackgoatburgers
When BlackGoat quietly opened their doors earlier this year, the humble hawker stall received a lot of online attention for their gourmet burgers and steak. For a short period of time, they’d launched a Katsu and Black Garlic Sando, made with premium Australian beef tenderloin. We’ve got insider info that these sandos will be back in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled on their social media for the latest updates!
Make sure you visit early, as the stall is said to sell out early. While you’re there, fill up on their signature White Pepper Fried Chicken Burger ($14), a massive, loaded burger made of a deep-fried chicken thigh, chipotle sauce, and a house-made za’atar blend.
Read our full BlackGoat review.
Address: 4A Jalan Batu, #01-05, Jalan Batu Market & Food Centre, Singapore 432004
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 5:30pm to 8:30pm (or sold out)
Tel: 8383 5982
Website
BlackGoat is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
It’s pretty amazing how the ingredient combinations in a sando work with nothing more than two slices of bread. These sando stalls in Singapore don’t serve up an average sandwich that you can slap together at home, so they’re definitely worth checking out!
For more deliciousness, check out our full guide to the best burgers in Singapore!
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