Cai png is the go-to lunch option for most of us living in Singapore, mainly because it’s affordable and accessible. We’ve seen $2 cai png at Goldhill Family Restaurant and a unique Korean cai fan concept at Koggii restaurant, but a cai png buffet at just $7 is a first. This all-you-can-eat economic rice buffet is available at the Wilmar International Headquarters Staff Canteen, which is open to the public, so anyone can drop by to enjoy this good deal.
The lunch buffet is open from 11:30am, and anticipating that there will be a snaking long queue, my colleague and I arrived before 11am. You must be in line at the ordering kiosk to make payment first as you need a queue number to enjoy the cai png buffet!
During our visit, there were seven items on display, featuring a good mix of carbs, veggies, and proteins. Some notable liao include chicken rendang, tempura shrimp, and steamed eggs with minced garlic.Â
Here’s how it works: you can pile on as much food as you wish to your plate for the first time. No seconds or thirds are allowed, but if you’re feeling extra hungry, you can rejoin the line and pay $7 for another round of cai png.
The first thing you get on your tray is a bowl of soup that tasted gingery, with silky bits of seaweed.Â
We could choose between white and brown rice; we went with the latter.
Our favourite liao of the lot was the chicken rendang; though the meat was a little tough, the mildly spicy, flavour-packed rendang sauce was delicious. In hindsight, the chicken rendang stood out because the other ingredients were slightly bland—we think this was done intentionally for health reasons.
Chicken rendang aside, the eggplant with shimeji mushrooms was another hearty and flavourful item on our plate that we cleared in no time.
The whole cai png buffet concept is cool and offers great value for money, especially if you’re a big eater. Just a little tip from us: stack as much food as you can, as you can’t go for seconds and thirds. If you can’t finish your food, that’s fine—bring a container with you to da bao the leftovers!
The staff canteen seats more than 100 diners at once, so there’s plenty of space to dine in comfort here.
In related news, check out Koggii at Suntec City, where you can enjoy Korean cai png with free-flow sides. If you’re in the area, drop by Wheathead bakery for really good banana cream pie, loaded sandwiches and more.Â
Address: 28 Biopolis Road, Lobby 2, Level 4, Singapore 138568
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to sold out
Wilmar International Headquarters Staff Canteen is not a halal-certified eatery.
Photos taken by Paula Formantes.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg
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