20 Tiong Bahru Food Gems That Are Not Your Usual Cafe Haunts

29th November 2023

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Tiong Bahru food guide

From its vinyl shops to indie boutiques, Tiong Bahru is a treasure trove. By now, famous cafés like Tiong Bahru Bakery, Plain Vanilla, and Forty Hands have made a name for themselves in the renowned Tiong Bahru district. As one of Singapore’s oldest neighbourhoods, Tiong Bahru is home to more than just your café nosh. Today, we bring you through some of our favourite Tiong Bahru food gems to check out.

1. Tow Kwar Pop

Image credit: @chflorence

Tiong Bahru Market’s Tow Kwar Pop sells a Singapore-style rojak that is unique in its own right.

The star of the Rojak (from $4) here is tau kwa bao: crispy stuffed tau pok that is grilled over charcoal. These parcels are then tossed with fish crackers and a generous mix of fresh apples, shredded papaya, and thinly sliced turnips. Paired with an intense and addictive shrimp paste, the rojak is served with crunchy bean sprouts and sliced cucumber. You can also get a small portion of Tow Kwar Pop ($4) to have on its own if you prefer.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-06, Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 9am to 3pm, Sat-Sun 9:30am to 3pm
Tow Kwar Pop is not a halal-certified eatery.

2. Hwa Yuen Porridge

Image credit: @reginayyc

This Mixed Pig Intestine Porridge ($5) from Hwa Yuen Porridge is to die for. The porridge is cooked down to a delightful and savoury consistency, much like Crystal Jade’s famous century egg porridge.

We also recommend the Deep Fried Pig Intestine Porridge ($6/$8), where crispy bits of pork intestine meet smooth congee.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-74, Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 7am to 3pm
Hwa Yuen is not a halal-certified eatery.

3. Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries

Image credit: @brianhe

There is nothing more classic than the Egg Tarts ($2) at Leung San Hong Pastries.

At this old-school confectionery, you can choose between their famous Hong Kong-style egg tart, and its Western counterpart. The former has an amazing buttery flaky pastry encasing a molten yellow custard, while the Western-style egg tart comes in a harder, sturdier shell.

There are also a wide variety of pastries baked in-house, including the Roasted Chicken Polo Bun ($2) and Salted Egg Lotus Seed Paste Pastry ($2).

Read our guide to traditional egg tarts in Singapore.

Address: 18 Jalan Membina, #01-06, Singapore 164018
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 7:30pm
Tel: 6271 6056
Website
Leung San is not a halal-certified eatery.

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4. Min Nan Prawn Mee

Image credit: @v.jzx

If you are a frequent customer of Tiong Bahru Market, Min Nan Prawn Mee should be no stranger to you. Sporting a routinely long queue, this stall has been a strong favourite amongst locals. Opt for the Pork Rib Prawn Noodle (from $5) to get a heap of prawns with perfectly cooked pork ribs that are spot-on tender and meaty. For this dish, expect a light-tasting broth with notes of prawn, pork ribs and spices.

Check out our guide to the best prawn mee in Singapore.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-31, Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 2:30pm
Min Nan Prawn Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.

5. Chuan Kee Seafood

Image credit: @jingyg

Chuan Kee Seafood boasts one of the best zi char in Tiong Bahru, where their drunken prawns, venison meat, and live seafood are definitely a cut above your average zi char stall.

Some of their customers’ go-to dishes are the Sweet & Sour Lychee with Pork ($10.80) and Duck Wrapped in Lotus Leaf ($30.24). For those with a lighter palate, their Signature Homemade Beancurd ($10.80) is a hot favourite to complement the strong flavours.

Address: 1091A Lower Delta Road, Singapore 169207
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3:30pm to 4:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 9878 9924
Chuan Kee Seafood is not a halal-certified eatery.

6. Jian Bo Shui Kueh

Image credit: @thisisklifferd

With over 50 years of history, Jian Bo Shui Kueh is one of the most renowned chwee kueh stalls in Singapore. The couple that runs the stall wake up at 6am daily to cook and prepare both the chilli and chye poh mix, all to top the freshly steamed kueh. Prices start at $3.50 for five pieces. They also sell chee cheong fun, and steamed yam cake too.

Read our Jian Bo Shui Kueh review.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-05, Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Daily 6:30am to 9pm
Website
Tel: 6753 7588
Jian Bo Shui Kueh is not a halal-certified eatery.

7. Skirt & Dirt

Skirt & Dirt rides on the wave of gourmet burgers in hawker centres. The stall’s speciality is one-of-a-kind, though, as they sell Cheese Skirt Burger ($8), where a juicy beef patty meets a crispy cheddar cheese skirt.

Apart from the burger, add on their Cheese Dirt Fries ($2), which sees the same cheese skirt heaped on top of fries, finished with bacon, jalapenos and relish.

Read our Skirt & Dirt review.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-66, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am to 8pm
Tel: 8434 0119
Website
Skirt & Dirt is not a halal-certified eatery.

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8. TIANN’S

Image credit: @thefudgybrownie

TIANN’S offers a specially curated menu for the health-conscious, providing gluten-free, sugar-free, and keto-friendly food options. Order their signature waffles if you don’t know where to start. The TIANN’S Waffles are priced at $24+, and are made with a secret mix of almond, chia seeds, coconut, eggs, and rice. You can choose two toppings, including fresh mozzarella, scrambled eggs, and smoked trout.

Apart from the above, they have all-day breakfast that you can build on, as well as healthy mains that span different cuisines. These include a Korean-style Kate’s Lunchbox ($24+), which riffs on a dosirak, with house-made kimchi and your pick between beef bulgogi or spicy pork.

Address: 71 Seng Poh Road, #01-35, Singapore 16007
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 5pm
Tel: 6222 1369
Website
TIANN’s is not a halal-certified eatery.

9. Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice

70-odd years of making homely plates of curry rice for the masses is what gives Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice its cred. The stall draws long queues in the Tiong Bahru ‘hood for their curry-drenched rice, which starts at $0.50, beckoning to be dressed up with ingredients such as pork chop, pork belly, chap chye, and more, all from $2.

Do note that the stal is slated to move to Tiong Bahru Market Food Centre (#02-67/68) from 18 March 2022.

Read our Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice review.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-67/68, Singapore 168898
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 8am to 2:45pm
Tel: 6225 3762
Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.

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10. Por Kee Eating House

Image credit: @itsurou

Feel transported to the outdoor zi char eateries in Johor Bahru at Por Kee Eating House, an old-school eatery that has been around since 1996. Some tout the eatery to have the best zi char fare in Singapore, and loyal customers keep the place packed all through the week.

Address: 69 Seng Poh Lane, #01-02, Singapore 160069
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 11pm
Tel: 6221 0582
Por Kee is not a halal-certified eatery.

11. Starter Lab

Standing out from the slew of typical cafes in Tiong Bahru is Starter Lab, a famous sourdough-focused bakery that hails from Bali. Their move to Singapore was met with much excitement, as their store would not only sell loaves, but also various bakes and dine-in treats made with freshly-baked bread, from banh mi to tartines.

Read our Starter Lab review.

Address: 721 Havelock Road, Singapore 169645
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 8:30am to 5pm
Tel: 9839 0408
Website
Starter Lab is not a halal-certified eatery.

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12. Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles

For halal-certified Chinese la mian, check out Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles at Tiong Bahru Plaza. The casual restaurant offers legit Lanzhou noodles in the form of their Signature Beef Noodles ($10.90+), which comes with a sweet and savoury broth, tender beef shank, and refreshing radish slices. Make your meal complete by topping up $5+ to any bowl for a set, which comes with a braised egg, side dish, and beverage, as well as free-flow noodles!

Read our Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles review!

Address: 302 Tiong Bahru Road, #02-107/187, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Singapore 168732
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9:30pm
Website
Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles is not halal-certified but uses halal meats.

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13. Old Shifu Charcoal Porridge

Located next to Tiong Bahru Market, Old Shifu Charcoal Porridge dishes out traditional charcoal-cooked porridge with assorted toppings. A must-try is the Li Wan Boat Porridge ($6.50), a hearty and flavourful bowl comprising cuttlefish, fish, prawns, pork slices and more. Opt for extra You Tiao ($2) to go with your porridge; these deep-fried doughnut chunks feature a crispy exterior with a fluffy, web-like dough. Plus point: the eatery is air-conditioned, so you can dine in comfort!

Read our Old Shifu Charcoal Porridge review here!

Address: 58 Seng Poh Road, #01-17, Singapore 160058
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 9pm, Sat-Sun 7am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 8201 8668
Website
Old Shifu is not a halal-certified eatery.

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14. Canjob Taproom

Image credit: @drinking_noodle

Swing by Canjob Taproom for casual vibes, stellar craft beers, and bar bites. There are always six draft beers on tap, and they change regularly, all specially curated by the staff. If you’re not big on beers, the healthy selection of housepour spirits and cocktails from $15 should give you plenty of options to quench your thirst. Pair your tipples with some classic bar bites, from Spam Fries ($12) to Spicy Popcorn Chicken ($9). If it’s something more filling you’re out for, then it’s worth noting that the bar also does Bratwursts ($9.50) served in buns.

Address: 50 Tiong Bahru Road, #01-03, Link Hotel, Singapore 168733
Opening hours: Sun, Tue-Thurs 5pm to 10:30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm to 11:30pm
Tel: 9385 3497
Website
Canjob Taproom is not a halal-certified eatery.

15. Happy Oven

Happy Oven is a halal-certified bakery that’s all about crafting nostalgic bakes with a twist. Since they opened in 2009, they’ve garnered quite the following for their signatures, all made with fresh ingredients. Their Pistachio Eclair ($1.40), Pandan Kaya Cake ($1), and Ondeh Ondeh Cake ($1.40) are three of their bestsellers.

Read our Happy Oven review.

Address: 40 Beo Crescent, #01-08, Singapore 160040
Opening hours: Daily 5am to 7pm
Website
Happy Oven is a halal-certified eatery.

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16. House of Peranakan Petit

Image credit: @loiwyman

House of Peranakan Petit is an intimate restaurant run by a Baba chef who serves dishes from his family’s recipe book. Book ahead for family dinners or intimate date nights and get their signature dishes to share. Popular picks include their Ayam Buah Keluak ($20++) and their Garam Assam Fish Head ($30++), served in a super tangy curry.

Address: 42 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 169785
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 6222 1719
Website
House of Peranakan is not a halal-certified eatery.

17. Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club’s new outlet in Tiong Bahru Plaza offers a blast from the past with its retro diner vibes. You may know of their OG hawker stall in Kovan, serving up cafe breakfasts at affordable prices—a concept they’ve also brought over to their Tiong Bahru establishment. Here, you can get Eggs Benedict at just $15, served with pulled beef, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, and fresh greens. Their Breakfast Plate ($12.50) is another popular pick. It comprises all the big breakfast classics, from eggs to bacon and hash browns.

Read our Breakfast Club review.

Address: 302 Tiong Bahru Road, #B1-135, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Singapore 168732
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 9pm
Website
Breakfast Club is not a halal-certified eatery.

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18. Toast Box Coffee House

Toast Box has opened an all-new concept in Tiong Bahru to celebrate 18 years in Singapore. Known as Toast Box Coffee House, the full-fledged bistro doesn’t just offer kopi and toast, but an expanded menu starring new toast options with fillings such as Lemon Cream ($2.60++) and Black Sesame ($2.60++), alongside hawker and Hainanese dishes. It’s a great spot for local brunch or breakfast on a weekend, or for a quick midday kopi and snack!

Read our Toast Box Coffee House review.

Address: 58 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 160058
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6223 0633
Website
Toast Box Coffee House is not a halal-certified eatery.

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19. Covent Garden Kway Chap

One of the longest-standing kway chap stalls in Singapore is Covent Garden Kway Chap, still manned by an over 90-year-old founder, Mdm Chua. A single person’s portion here is super affordable, priced at just $3. For the price, you get intestines, pig skin, braised egg, and tau pok, as well as a side of kway in a light gravy.

Read our Covent Garden Kway Chap review.

Address: 22B Havelock Road, #01-05, Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre, Singapore 162022
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 6am to 1pm
Covent Garden Kway Chap is not a halal-certified eatery.

20. Micro Bakery

Taking over the space that Forty Hands used to be is Micro Bakery Kitchen, a homegrown bakery that serves up a menu of brunch mains, breads, pastries and more. Swing by for unique sandos such as their Nagaimo Croquette ($18+), packed with a Japanese mountain yam croquette, or the decadent Grilled 4 Cheese ($16+), filled with four types of melty cheese, including raclette and mozzarella.

Read our Micro Bakery Kitchen review.

Address: 78 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 163078
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 8am to 4pm
Website
Micro Bakery Kitchen is not a halal-certified eatery.