Best food places along the new Thomson-East Coast line
Come 13 November 2022, the newly expanded Thomson-East Coast Line will finally be open for passenger service, bringing residents in the east and North-South Corridor closer to the city. In this list, we’ll introduce you to some of the best eateries you can find around some of these new MRT stations, namely: Stevens, Napier, Orchard Boulevard, Havelock, Maxwell, and Shenton Way. These food spots are within a 10-minute walk from their respective MRT stations!
Table of Contents
Stevens Station
1. GRUB
Image credit: @grub.singapore
First on the list is GRUB, a casual dining burger bistro serving Western fare with a local twist. For instance, one of the popular items on their menu is the Har Cheong Fried Chicken & Waffles ($17++). The har cheong gai, AKA shrimp paste fried chicken, is said to be extremely crispy with sweet and savoury undertones.
Complete your meal with a dessert, and go for GRUB’s Kaya Burnt Cheesecake ($9++), which is baked to golden brown perfection, with a semi-molten centre.
Address: 30 Stevens Road, #01-06, Novotel@Stevens, Singapore 257840
Opening hours: Mon, Tue-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 8891 9298
Website
GRUB is not a halal-certified eatery.
2. New Ubin Seafood
Image credit: New Ubin Seafood
New Ubin Seafood is a popular zi char restaurant, now located near Stevens Road MRT Station, offering uncommon zi char dishes such as steak and foie gras.
Most patrons recommend going for the Crispy Pork Jowl ($14++) which is glazed in an umami miso gula Melaka sauce. Alternatively, the Crispy Flower Squid WIth Sambal Chincalok Petai ($18++) is worth a shot. This dish stars deep-fried squid fillet coated with a house-made sambal chinchalok sauce, and topped with petai beans. It is also exclusively available at the Stevens outlet.
Address: 60 Stevens Rd, Metropolitan YMCA Lobby, Singapore 257854
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10:30pm
Tel: 9740 6870
Website
New Ubin Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.
Napier Station
3. Open Farm Community
Image credit: @openfarmcommunity
Tucked away in an urban garden within the Dempsey enclave is Open Farm Community, a restaurant that prides itself on being sustainable and eco-friendly. As its name suggests, this restaurant sources all its ingredients from a community of local and Southeast Asian organic farmers and herders.
Salmon lovers will be delighted to try the Roasted Salmon, Garden “Curry”, Puffed Pulut Hitam & Seaweed ($39++). The dish stars fresh salmon plated on green gravy that’s herbaceous and spicy. To top it off, this comes with crispy pulut hitam rice bits, tobiko, and microgreens. To end your meal, be sure to indulge in the Single Origin Chocolate Brownie ($15++) or the Sweet Potato Sticky Toffee Pudding, Orange, Dates ($15++) for dessert.
Address: 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 4pm, 6pm to 11pm
Tel: 6471 0306
Website
Open Farm Community is not a halal-certified eatery.
4. Lad & Co
Image credit: @melvyn_caffeine
If there’s one thing Lad & Co. is adept at, it’s making delicious fish and chips. This quaint restaurant features a fully al fresco dining area, so diners can enjoy outdoor dining while hanging out with friends and family.
Go for Lad & Co.’s Signature Fish & Chips ($19++), which stars beer-battered haddock fried to golden brown perfection, mushy peas, gherkin tartar sauce, and chips. Be sure to accompany your meal with a Scotch Egg ($12++)—a British dish you don’t often find in Singapore, featuring a whole egg encased in minced meat and crispy bread crumbs, with a jammy yolk in the middle.
Address: 56 Tanglin Road, #B1-02, Singapore 247964
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 10pm
Website
Lad & Co is not a halal-certified eatery.
Orchard Boulevard Station
5. Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar
Image credit: @nassimhillbakery
If you’re looking for a place to have weekend brunch, you can check out Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar, a restaurant that serves delectable brunch fare, fresh bakes, and a wide selection of alcohol.
Try the crowd-favourite Cheddar Cheese Bacon Waffles ($24++) which come in generous portions and are said to be highly savoury and filling. For dessert, we recommend going for the Brioche Donuts which come in two flavours: kaya and chocolate cream. These donuts will set you back at $14++ for a box of four.
Address: 56 Tanglin Road, #01-03, Tanglin Post Office, Singapore 247964
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 10pm
Tel: 9099 6405
Website
Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
6. B For Bagel
B For Bagel is one of Tanglin Mall’s newest additions. This Korean bagel cafe sports a clean and vibrant look, and is best known for its sweet and savoury bagels that are baked from scratch daily in-house. Go straight for the Peach Cloud ($7.50+) bagel if you’re looking for something fruity and fresh. Despite the heaping amount of whipped cream, it isn’t too jelak and sweet.
Alternatively, get the popular Smoked Salmon Bagel ($16.90+) which is stuffed with smoked salmon slices, tomatoes, onions, and capers. For an additional $2.90+, patrons can complete their meal with some creamy onion soup.
Read our review of B For Bagel here!
Address: 163 Tanglin Road, #B1-125,126, Tanglin Mall, Singapore 247933
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 5pm
Tel: 8781 0079
Website
B for Bagel is not a halal-certified eatery.
B For Bagel Review: Korean Bagel Shop In Tanglin Mall With Smoked Salmon And Peach Bagels
Great World Station
7. Bangkok Jam
If you love Thai food, be sure to swing by Bangkok Jam. What makes this restaurant stand out is their spread of vegetarian and vegan renditions of classic Thai dishes. The Vegetarian Pad Thai ($12.90++) comes highly recommended, as it packs a flavourful punch. On the other hand, the vegan option features mock eggs instead and will set you back at $17.90++. Do note that Bangkok Jam’s vegan menu is only available at this Great World outlet.
As for their non-vegetarian fare, a must-try would be the Grilled Pork Skewers ($12.90++) with house-made Thai chilli sauce. The Minced Basil Beef ($15.90++) with rice is another great option for those who prefer to stick to the classics.
Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #02-127, Great World, Singapore 237994
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 10:30pm
Tel: 6732 4523
Website
Bangkok Jam is not a halal-certified eatery.
8. Goobne Chicken
Image credit: @jtkmphotography
Transport yourself to Seoul when you head to Goobne Chicken, a Korean fried chicken restaurant hailing from South Korea. Goobne Chicken rose to fame after its appearance in the popular Korean drama series Business Proposal, and they specialise in oven-roasted chicken.
Come for the Goobne UFO Fondue ($39++), a great sharing platter that boasts a bed of melted cheeses, with two flavours of chicken wings and drumsticks. You can choose from five flavours: Soy Garlic, Deep Cheese, Volcano, Galbi, and Pepper. Other popular Korean dishes on their menu include Seafood Jjampong Noodle ($14++), Kimchi Fried Rice ($15++), and Carbonara Rice Cake ($15++).
Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #01-115, Great World, Singapore 237994
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9:30pm, Fri-Sun 11am to 9:30pm
Tel: 8878 5898
Website
Goobne Chicken is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Softhaus
Another spot at Great World offering vegan-friendly fare is Softhaus, an ice cream kiosk by the acclaimed Singaporean pastry chef, Janice Wong. At Softhaus, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with 16 ice cream flavours and over 20 toppings to choose from. A single classic scoop of ice cream costs $6, while the premium scoops cost $7. There’s also a maximum of three scoops in a single order.
A combination we recommend is the dairy-free Madagascar Vanilla Bean ($7) ice cream with a waffle bowl ($1.50) topped with Speculoos ($0.50) cookie bits. Alternatively, the Single Origin Colombian Chocolate ($6) is great for chocoholics.
Check out our review of Softhaus here!
Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #B1-K135, Great World Singapore 237994
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am to 9:30pm, Fri-Sun 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 9640 6397
Website
Softhaus is not a halal-certified eatery.
Havelock Station
10. Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh
Image credit: @thatgluttonn
Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh claims to have the best bak kut teh in Singapore, which has won numerous awards such as the Singapore Hawker Feast award for having exceptional cuisine and culinary contribution to Singapore’s Hawker Food Heritage.
If you love soup that packs a punch, go for the signature Spare Ribs Soup ($8): a garlicky and peppery Teochew-style bak kut teh featuring tender pork ribs. You can also go for the Braised Pig’s Trotters ($7) if you’re not a fan of soup-based dishes.
Address: 593 Havelock Road, #01-01/02, Isetan Office Building, Singapore 169641
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs, Sun 11am to 10pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 11pm
Tel: 6235 7716
Website
Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. Guang Fa Laksa
Image credit: @matildalim
Guang Fa Laksa at Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre garners long queues every day for their Laksa ($5). Despite its fiery appearance, the broth is said to not be as spicy as one would expect, boasting a robust, lemak flavour, punchy with hei bee hiam.
You’ll get generous amounts of fishcake, beansprouts, tau pok, cockles, and a half-boiled egg in each bowl. You can also choose from three types of noodles: rice noodles, yellow noodles, and vermicelli noodles. The stall also offers smaller portions, which go for $3 or $4 per bowl.
Address: 22A Havelock Road, #01-08, Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre, Singapore 161022
Opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thurs, Fri-Sat 7:30am to 1:30pm
Guang Fa Laksa is not a halal-certified eatery.
Maxwell Station
12. Mr Appam
Maxwell Food Centre holds a plethora of great food stalls, and Mr Appam is one of them. These South Indian pancakes come in various flavours, but some notable ones include the Princess Appam ($3.30), which has egg and cheese within, and the Pandan Brown Sugar Coconut Appam ($2.80), which has a medley of sweet, nutty, and caramel notes.
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-99, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 8am to 8pm
Website
Mr Appam is not a halal-certified eatery.
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13. Small Bites
Small Bites is a small snack kiosk located right beside one of Maxwell MRT Station’s exits, offering cheap old-school pandan waffles and handmade puffs. With prices starting from as low as $1.30, you’ll find some unique waffle flavours such as Milo Custard ($2.40), Japanese Roasted Sesame ($2.80) and Taro ($2.50).
Our favourite is the classic Chocolate ($1.60): simple, yet incredibly satisfying. As for the puffs, the Curry Puff with Potato, Chicken and Egg ($1.80) is worth a shot.
Address: 333 Kreta Ayer Road, #01-29, Kreta Ayer Heights, Singapore 080333
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 7pm (or until sold out)
Small Bites is not a halal-certified eatery.
This Under-HDB Kiosk Sells Pandan Waffles From $1.30 With Roasted Sesame And More
Shenton Way Station
14. BBraise
BBraise at Amoy Street Food Centre serves lu rou fan, AKA braised meat rice bowls, at affordable prices: $5 each. Formerly a home-based business, they’re now a hawker stall with a simple menu comprising three main items: Belly, Trotter, and Chicken. Each bowl comes with jasmine rice, braised meat, and boiled vegetables. At an additional $1, you get to have add-ons such as Tau Pok, Tau Kua, and Egg.
We recommend going for the Belly, as the meat is incredibly fatty, tender, and flavourful. For added protein, be sure to get the Authentic B’Fry ($4) AKA deep-fried pork belly as a side dish, or add it to your bowl for $1.
Read our review of BBraise here.
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #02-131, Amoy Street Food Centre, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am to 2:30pm
Tel: 8884 2796
Website
BBraise is not a halal-certified eatery.
BBraise Review: $5 Braised Meat Rice And Deep-Fried Lor Bak At Amoy Street Food Centre
15. Kim Men Seng Heng
Another gem located at Amoy Street Food Centre is Kim Men Seng Heng, a halal-certified braised duck rice stall. Similar to BBraise, this stall has three main items on their menu, all of which features slices of the stall’s signature duck. You can choose from three carbs: rice, yellow noodles, and kway teow. A bowl will set you back $4, but you can choose to have it zhnged-up as a set which includes tau pok, tau kwa, and a braised egg for $6.
We review Kim Men Heng Seng here!
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #02-133, Amoy Street Food Centre, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 9am to 2pm
Tel: 8892 7237
Website
Kim Men Seng Heng is a halal-certified eatery.
Kin Men Seng Heng Review: Halal Braised Duck Rice At Amoy Street Food Centre
16. Munchi Pancakes
CBD workers, be sure to check out Munchi Pancakes when they open at Lau Pa Sat on 14 November 2022. This homegrown business specialises in halal min jiang kueh with unique fillings such as Thai Milk Tea ($1.80), Strawberry Cheese ($1.80), and Biscoff ($1.80). The pancake skin comes in different flavours too, including Original, Charcoal, and Green Tea.
Our personal favourites would be the Oreo Cheese ($1.80) munchi pancake with original skin, and the classic Peanut ($1.50) flavour with charcoal skin. Munchi Pancakes has outlets at Yishun Park Hawker Centre and Fernvale Hawker Centre as well.
Address: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours
Website
Munchi Pancakes is a halal-certified eatery.
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Where to eat along the Thomson-East Coast line
Now that the Thomson-East Coast line makes travelling around Singapore even easier, be sure to head down to these eateries we’ve listed if you’re ever in the area or looking for a quick bite.
Don’t forget to check out our Fernvale Hawker Centre guide for good eats at this new hawker centre! We also have a guide on the best stalls to check out at Ayer Rajah Food Centre if you’re looking for more hawkers to visit.
Fernvale Hawker Centre Guide: 10 Stalls To Try, Including Famous Prawn Noodles And Min Jiang Kueh
Feature image adapted from @grub.singapore @jtkmphotography @openfarmcommunity @ladanco.sg
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