Most people who spend loads of time in town would probably agree that, more often than not, eating in town will burn a hole in your pocket, unless you #balling. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Aside from succumbing to fast food to save money on food in town, you can check out more budget-friendly spots instead. They might not be the most comfortable or atas, but they sure dish out good meals. Check out these Somerset food places the next time you hit town!
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Morinaga Izakaya is a hole-in-the-wall, no-frills eatery hidden in the basement of Midpoint Orchard, which is directly opposite Somerset MRT Station. Their Truffle Somen ($14++), is a popular pick for good reason. Spiked with truffle oil and topped with savoury ikura, this cold noodle dish serves as the perfect respite from the humid weather. For something to share with the table, consider the Mentai Mayo Omelette ($11++), which features dashi-infused tamagoyaki with a generous drizzle of creamy mentaiko mayo.
Read our Morinaga Izakaya review!
Address: 220 Orchard Road, #B1-08, Midpoint Orchard, Singapore 238852
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10pm
Tel: 9101 3016
Website
Morinaga Izakaya Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you want a meal that is affordable and hearty, look no further than My Favourite Cafe in Lucky Plaza. Get a bowl of your favourite carb with six ingredients from their wide selection at $6.30. Alternatively, there’s a seven-ingredient option without carbs, at the same price. For its location, the food here offers a bang for your buck. Remember to get their deep-fried pork meatballs and mushrooms; those are their bestsellers for a reason!
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #06-046, Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am to 5pm
Tel: 6734 6935
My Favourite Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Da Shi Jia has changed the game by serving up Wok-fried Big Prawn White Bee Hoon ($19.20) instead of the typical seafood white bee hoon. This dish is filled with wok hei, which makes every bite oh-so-addictive. Soaking in the prawn broth were three fresh and chewy prawns. If you want something cheaper, get their Prawn Noodle (from $7.30). Tip: ask for pork lard to add to your dish for that extra oomph!
Check out our full Da Shi Jia review!
Address: 89 Killiney Road, Singapore 239534
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 8908 6949
Website
Da Shi Jia is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @nora_adam
My Indonesian friends love Jtown Cafe. I was recommended their Bakmie Ayam ($6.90), which is basically Indonesian chicken noodles. Made from scratch daily, their noodles are cooked al dente and tossed in a secret savoury concoction before being topped off with chicken cubes. Though their noodle dishes are delicious, the star of the show is truly their martabak. Served in five different flavours, their martabak is so popular among regulars that they usually sell out by 1pm. Make the effort to rush down for those delicious pancakes.
Read our Jtown Cafe review!
Address: 220 Orchard Road, #B1-04/05, Midpoint Orchard, Singapore 238852
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 8pm
Tel: 9230 5040
Website
Jtown Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery, but is Muslim-owned.
Image credit: @meowsimoo
Helmed by a deaf couple, Anthony and Angela, Signs A Taste Of Vietnam Pho has captured many people’s attention since its opening. Go for their Beef Feast Combo Pho ($13). Brimming with their clear and tantalising broth, this bowl is packed with silky smooth pho noodles, tender beef slices, and bouncy beef balls. It sure makes for an affordable and comforting meal in town! Other popular items include their Fresh Pork With Prawn Rolls ($7) and Lemongrass Turmeric Chicken Banh Mi ($9).
Address: 277 Orchard Road, #B2-15, Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 8:30pm
Tel: 8685 4838
Website
Signs A Taste Of Vietnam Pho is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you are a Korean foodie, you probably would have heard about the affordable Korean eatery at Concorde Hotel, Kim Dae Mun. Get their signature Spicy Pork ($10.50), a sizzling hotplate dish packed with flavourful pork slices and veggies, paired with a bowl of rice. Their Kimchi Soup With Pork ($9.50) is equally popular, and makes for the perfect rainy day meal. Alternatively, go for a comforting bowl of Beancurd Soup ($9.50) if you’re not great with spice. Those visiting in a group can consider sharing a plate of Fried Dumplings ($11): Korean mandu stuffed with pork, veggies, and glass noodles.
Check out our Kim Dae Mun review!
Address: 100 Orchard Road, #01-03D, Concorde Hotel, Singapore 238840
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 8pm
Website
Kim Dae Mun is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you’re a big burger fan, you’d have come across Burgs, a popular Muslim-owned burger chain with multiple outlets across the island. Their 313@Somerset branch boasts a brand new menu, with affordable picks including the Black Pepper Beef Burger ($6.80 single, $9.80 double). Those who don’t like beef can try the Cajun Chicken Burger ($7.80 single, $10.80 double) instead, which comes with battered and deep-fried chicken patties. Don’t miss out on the sides, too. The Cuban Fries ($6.50), which pairs fries with pulled beef and mayo, comes highly recommended.
Check out our Burgs review!
Address: 313 Orchard Road, #05-01/02/03, Stall 25, Food Republic, 313@somerset, Singapore 238895
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 8:45pm
Website
Burgs by Project Warung is a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @49seats
49 Seats’ Tom Yum Seafood Pasta ($17.90+) is no new player in town. Many people have raved about this dish, talking about how consistently creamy, tangy, and spicy it is. Each plate of Tom Yum Seafood Pasta is topped with a couple of prawns, mussels, and loads of baby clams. If you can handle your spice, challenge yourself by requesting for an extra spicy plate! Alternatively, go for the Seafood Carbonara ($16.90++), which some have claimed to be the best in Singapore. They close at 2am too, so night owls can get their pasta fix for supper.
Address: 176 Orchard Road, #01-49, The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am to 2am, Sun 11:30am to 11:30pm
Tel: 6225 4332
Website
49 Seats is not a halal-certified eatery.
Manpuku Sando is Cuppage Plaza‘s latest addition. This Somerset cafe serves up IG-worthy Japanese sandwiches at wallet-friendly prices, such as the Fuwatoro Truffle Tamago Sando ($14.80): lightly toasted shokupan sandwiching a generous portion of egg mayonnaise and extra egg chunks. During our visit, we thought that the truffle taste was less pronounced than we’d liked, though the chunks of egg added a nice texture to the sando. If you prefer something sweet, go for the A.C.B Anko Cream Butter Sando ($14.80), which combines fermented mashed red bean paste with cold butter and sweet whipped cream.
Check out our Manpuku Sando feature!
Address: 5 Koek Road, #B1-23, Cuppage Plaza, Singapore 228796
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 3pm (last order at 2pm)
Website
Manpuku Sando is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @honolulucafesg
Many flock to Honolulu Cafe at The Centrepoint just to try their signature Honolulu Egg Tart ($2.30++), which is known for its buttery and flaky crust, together with its smooth egg filling. Recently, their Crispy Taro Tart ($3.90++) has been gaining more popularity online, too! For something more substantial, try the eatery’s Hong Kong-style mains, such as the Pork Cutlet Curry Rice ($13.90++) and Hawaii Polo Bun ($15.90++), starring luncheon meat, cheese, and pineapple in between sweet polo bun.
Read our Honolulu Cafe feature!
Address: 176 Orchard Road, #01-33F/G, The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11am to 9pm, Fri 11am to 10pm, Sat 10am to 10pm, Sun 10am to 9pm
Tel: 6734 6609
Website
Honolulu Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
You don’t have to break the bank for a good cafe meal in town: just head to Equate Coffee in Orchard Central for wallet-friendly mains in an aesthetic setting! Here you’ll find a delicious range of stacked sandwiches in Japanese-inspired flavours, including the Tonkatsu ($16.80+): deep-fried pork loin, cheese, cabbage, and sesame dressing held between two lightly toasted shokupan slices. They also have a Buttermilk Kimchi Chicken ($16.80+) sando, topped with house-made hot honey, if you prefer chicken to pork.
Read our Equate Coffee review!
Address: 81 Orchard Road, #01-17A, Orchard Central, Singapore 238896
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 10pm
Website
Equate Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Here’s another Orchard Central food spot to add to your list: FYP Cafe is a camping-themed cafe serving loaded bagels and hearty rice bowls under $20! Their Truffle Beef Steak Bagel ($14.90+) is a must-try; this bagelwich stars house-made bagel packed with sliced ribeye, caramelised onions, and creamy truffle aioli. They’ve also got affordable don bowls such as Triple Egg ($12.90+), featuring three types of egg—Japanese tamago, tobiko, and mentaiko mayo—with sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, and fried mushrooms, on top of short-grain rice. Don’t miss out on their lava brownies and cookies, and XL fries, too!
Check out our FYP Cafe review!
Address: 181 Orchard Road, #04-22, Orchard Central, Singapore 238896
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12pm to 9:30pm, Fri 12pm to 10:30pm, Sat 11am to 10:30pm, Sun 11am to 9:30pm
Website
FYP Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Butter by Two Men is Two Men Bagel House’s latest venture. Located in the brand-new Trifecta, an indoor skate park right above Somerset MRT Station, the cafe boasts an extensive food menu infused with house-made butters. Try their signature bagel sandwiches, including Sweet Chicks ($18): deep-fried chicken thigh with sriracha honey butter, spicy aioli, slaw, and pickled cucumber. There’s also Poo Bear ($19), an interesting mix of spam, scrambled egg, pork floss, garlic aioli, condensed milk, and spicy peanut butter.
Check out our Butter by Two Men review!
Address: 10A Exeter Road, #01-01, Trifecta, Singapore 239958
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 4pm, 5pm to 10pm
Website
Butter By Two Men is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you love prawn mee, you need to check out Ebi Bar, another hidden gem in Cuppage Plaza. This casual eatery is known for their Modern Prawn Noodles ($15.90), starring springy ramen-style noodles and charred prawns doused in a rich and umami-laden prawn broth. The Ebi Bar Hokkien Noodles ($19.80), served with their signature chao ta prawns, are equally popular. Alternatively, if you’re up to splurge, get the Soul-Good Luxe Noodles ($39.90), which comes with half lobster, scallops, and chicken.
Read our Ebi Bar review!
Address: 5 Koek Road, #B1-21 Cuppage Plaza, Singapore 228796
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am to 10pm, Sun-Mon 11am to 9pm
Tel: 8922 1284
Website
Ebi Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you ever find yourself in Somerset in the wee hours of the morning, hankering for Vietnamese fare, you’re in luck. Miss Saigon is a 24-hour eatery in Orchard Plaza serving legit Vietnamese food, including Banh Mi Chao ($12): tomato-based sauce with egg, sardine, meatball, and onions, served on a hot skillet with a crusty baguette loaf. The casual eatery also offers a wide range of banh mi flavours, such as Roasted Pork ($9.90) and Fried Fish Cake ($8.90), alongside rice and noodle dishes.
Check out our Miss Saigon review!
Who says that you can’t be budget in town? Indulge in these affordable dishes and save the extra cash for shopping! For more grub in the area, check out our guide to the best food places in Orchard. We’ve also got our Orchard Central food guide as an alternative!
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