Tiong Bahru is synonymous with vibey cafes. But when you’re in the area and the mood doesn’t call for cafe-hopping or cheap eats at Tiong Bahru Market, you have plenty of yummy options straight out of Tiong Bahru MRT Station. We’re talking about Tiong Bahru Plaza, which houses eateries spanning cuisines such as Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, Indonesian, and Thai, as well as good ol’ local eats.
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If the name Paik’s Noodle rings a bell, you may be familiar with Paik’s Bibim and Paik’s Coffee, which are all popular chains opened by South Korean celebrity chef, Paik Jong-Won. With more than 270 outlets worldwide, Paik’s Noodle is most known for their Jjajangmyeon ($11+), where chewy handmade noodles are doused with a house-made black bean sauce. On cold rainy days, their Jjampong ($14+), AKA spicy seafood noodle soup, is sure to hit the spot.
Read our Paik’s Noodle review!
Unit number: #02-136
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Tel: 6027 5872
Website
Paik’s Noodle is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Sandy Ho
We love cheap food in Bali, but if you’re craving Indonesian cuisine in between trips, visit Dapur Penyet. Popular dishes from this Indonesian-owned eatery include Ayam Penyet ($10.50++), Indomie Goreng With Chicken Satay ($10.50++), and Beef Rendang With Rice ($12++). While the prices are definitely not as cheap as those of street stalls in Bali, it’s relatively affordable for filling and tasty mains in a mall setting.
Unit number: #02-137
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
Dapur Penyet is a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Eugene Liang
A hidden gem nestled deep within Tiong Bahru Plaza is Lee Lai Jiak, a quaint restaurant serving legit Taiwanese food. You’ll be able to find staples like Mee Sua ($9.80+), Lu Rou Fan ($8.80+), and Beef Noodle Soup ($16.80+) here, along with street food-style sides such as Fried Chicken Chop ($9.80+), Taiwan Sausage ($6.80+), and Pig Intestines ($10.80+). What’s more, the staff here are super warm and friendly, exemplifying that trademark Taiwanese hospitality.
Unit number: #02-105
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Tel: 6518 4519
Website
Lee Lai Jiak is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @fudie1975
Tonkatsu by Ma Maison made me realise that you don’t have to pay a fortune to get a filling and high-quality pork katsu meal. Their sets are priced from $19.80++ for a juicy Pork Loin Katsu, served with fluffy Japanese rice, pickles, and an array of dipping sauces as well as salt mined from mountain ranges. Each set comes with free-flow rice, cabbage, and tonjiru soup, so you’ll definitely walk out stuffed.
Unit number: #01-109
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, Sun 11am to 10pm, Sat 11am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6252 1512|
Website
Tonkatsu by Ma Maison is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @greenfinds_
We stan a mall that has vegetarian food options that aren’t just salad. In fact, Zuya Vegetarian’s offerings span all sorts of cuisines. Tasting their Korean Glass Noodles ($8.80++), Japanese Curry Udon ($9.80++), or Taiwanese Braised “Meat” Noodles ($8.80++) might very well encourage you to adopt a more herbivorous diet. They also have meat-free versions of local favourites, including Curry Rendang ($8.80++) and Char Siew Noodles ($6.80++).
Unit number: #02-111A
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 3pm, 4pm to 7pm
Website
Zuya Vegetarian is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @super.makan.asia
Located in the basement level of Tiong Bahru Plaza is Super Makan Asia, a humble eatery with an extensive selection of local comfort food. Whether you’re in the mood for rice or noodles, soupy or dry, there’s likely something that’ll appeal to you. For instance, they have Mee Rebus ($5.80), Laksa ($7), Fried Bee Hoon ($5), Nasi Lemak (from $7), and Salted Egg Chicken Rice ($8.90), just to name a few. Best part? All prices are nett.
Unit number: #B1-136
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9pm
Tel: 9838 8297
Website
Super Makan Asia is a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: A-One Group
I’ll admit, I used to be in the camp of people who regard porridge as tasteless “sick people food”. Then I ate at A-One Signature, and now I find myself craving their porridge dishes rain or shine, in sickness and in health. Priced from $13.90++, their porridge dishes come with various ingredients such as dried scallops, century eggs, cuttlefish, clam abalone, and fish maw. I love the thick, congee-style consistency, and how well it’s seasoned.
Unit number: #02-134
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6250 7668
Website
A-One Signature is not a halal-certified eatery.
As a fan of pasta who sometimes feels stifled by fixed menu options, I appreciate that PastaGo allows full customisation. Build your perfect serving of pasta from $4.90 by choosing your favourite type of noodle, sauce, and protein. Their sauce selection is pretty extensive, including the likes of aglio olio, tomato marinara, beef bolognese, carbonara, and pesto. Protein wise, they offer chicken, duck, prawns, and salmon, but there’s also a vegetarian medley option of egg, broccoli, and mushrooms.
Read our PastaGo review!
Unit number: #B1-123
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
PastaGo is a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Ruiyu Liang
Curry fish head is a sumptuous dish often ordered during zi char gatherings. If you’d like to taste an elevated version of this delicacy—which showcases Chinese, Malaysian, and Indonesian influences—head to Na Na Curry. They started out as a humble hawker stall, clinching the Michelin Bib Gourmand title for five years straight. You can now savour their signature assam-forward Curry Fish Head ($26++ for half, $37++ for whole) in a comfy air-conditioned setting.
Unit number: #02-111
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6250 1383
Website
Na Na Curry is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @yummyfuels
Sakon Thai Village is the place to go for group meals. The halal-certified restaurant has all the classic Thai mains, from Pineapple Fried Rice ($9.50++) and Basil Minced Chicken Rice ($9++) to Pad Thai ($10++) and Tiger Prawn Vermicelli ($12++). Then you have shareable sides like Prawn Omelette ($7.90++), Thai Kang Kong, ($6.50++), and Green Curry ($8.90++). If you have dining companions who aren’t craving for Thai food, the restaurant also serves Western mains like pasta and grilled meats!
Unit number: #02-135
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 9:30pm
Tel: 8909 9940
Website
Sakon Thai Village is a halal-certified eatery.
Besides the usual mall suspects like fast food joints and cafe chains such as Starbucks and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Tiong Bahru Plaza has plenty of noteworthy eateries to quell your hunger pangs. It’s also connected directly to the MRT station, making it a convenient meetup destination no matter the weather.
A quick train ride will bring you to Redhill and Outram Park MRT Station, located one station away on either side. To suss out the best eats there, check out our Redhill food guide and Outram Park food guide.
Address: 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6276 4686
Website
Feature image adapted from Sandy Ho, @fudie1975.
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