Zi char in Singapore
Zi char, Hokkien for 煮炒 (zhǔ chǎo), quite simply means ‘cook and fry’, when translated literally. It’s homely comfort food for many of us, ranking right up there with most Singaporeans’ favourite things to eat, alongside good ol’ hawker fare. With P2HA at an end, here are 10 famous zi char restaurants in Singapore to treat the fam to via delivery or takeaway with your OCBC 365 Credit Card.
If you already have an OCBC 365 Credit Card, you’ll know that you get 6% rebates on dining each month. From now till 31 July 2021, get an extra 4% without any registration necessary. This means you’ll get 10% cashback, up to $80, when you dine at any of 15 zi char restaurants! Do note that this rebate is only applicable at the listed outlets, and with a minimum spend of $800 in the respective billing month. Terms and conditions apply.
Otherwise, be one of the first 800 to apply for an OCBC 365 Credit Card before 31 July 2021, and receive $250 in cashback when you spend $1,000 per month in the first two consecutive months. Terms and conditions apply.
1. White Restaurant
Image credit: @carazayfoodies
Kicking off this list is homegrown favourite White Restaurant, which started out as a hawker stall in Sembawang. You can’t visit White Restaurant without having The Original White Beehoon (from $7.70++), a dish that looks deceptively plain, but is chock full of flavours from their seafood broth, and lots of fresh seafood. Have their Signature Meat & Seafood Roll (from $15.18++), and Signature Fried Wings (from $11.88++) alongside, the latter standing out from the standard har cheong gai with a marinade that’s aromatic with lemongrass.
Order from White Restaurant here for delivery or self-collection, and charge it to your OCBC 365 Credit Card for additional 4% cashback!
2. Keng Eng Kee Seafood
Image credit: @eugenekhooyr
Keng Eng Kee Seafood, or KEK Seafood, needs little introduction. They’ve been awarded a Michelin Plate, appeared on the Singapore episode of Street Food Asia on Netflix, made it to the Essence of Asia list under World’s Best 50 Restaurants, and been recommended by the late Anthony Bourdain.
Even with such accolades under their belt, prices at KEK still remain affordable, headlined by their Signature Moonlight Horfun (from $9+), a wok hei-filled dish of silky fried horfun, topped with a single, raw egg yolk. Don’t miss their Marmite Chicken (from $15+)─deep fried chicken nuggets coated in the toothsome sauce, and Coffee Pork Ribs (from $20+)─a must-order here.
If you’re looking to order KEK Seafood in, or get a takeaway to enjoy 10% dining rebates with your OCBC 365 Credit Card, get that sorted through their website!
Address: 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-136, Singapore 150124
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 2pm, 5pm to 10pm
Tel: 6272 1038
Website
3. Uncle Leong Seafood
Singaporeans love their crab, and Uncle Leong Seafood is one of those places that everyone has been to, at some point or other. They’re most well-known for their Shimmering Sand Crab, a unique creation of Uncle Leong’s signature sauce, topped with sprinkles of fried oats. Their take on pork ribs is Guinness Pork Rib (from $18++)─the alcohol is cooked off, and the stout adds a malty, rich flavour to the dish.
Get your extra dining rebates when you dine in, or order from Uncle Leong Seafood Punggol, or Uncle Leong Seafood Alexandra!
Punggol
Address: 6 Tebing Lane, #01-03, Punggol East, Singapore 828835
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10pm
Tel: 6441 1848
Website
Alexandra
Address: 368 Alexandra Road, Anchorpoint Shopping Centre, Singapore 159952
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10pm
Tel: 6259 9861
Website
4. New Ubin Seafood
Image credit: @blueskiescottonclouds
New Ubin Seafood has come a long way since its humble beginnings serving kampong-style food on Pulau Ubin. Today, almost every table sees the order of their famed USDA Angus ‘Choice’ Rib-Eye ($82.50++), a platter of grilled beef served with caramelised onions, potato wedges, house-smoked sea salt flakes, and another signature─’heart attack’ fried rice─aka rice fried in all the drippings from the grilled beef. They’ve also zhnged-up a local breakfast favourite in the Foie Gras Egg Special ($10++)─soft-boiled eggs with grilled foie gras, and truffle salt.
Enjoy a 10% cashback when you charge your meal at New Ubin Seafood to your OCBC 365 Credit Card, whether you choose to dine in, or order online!
CHIJMES
Address: 30 Victoria Street, #02-01B/C, Singapore 187996
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 10:30pm
Tel: 9740 6870
Website
Tampines
Address: 18 Tampines Industrial Crescent, #01-16, Space@Tampines, Singapore 528605
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 9740 6870
Website
Zhongshan Park
Address: 16 Ah Hood Road, Singapore 329982
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10.30pm
Tel: 9740 6870
Website
5. Nan Hwa Chong Fishhead Steamboat Corner
Image credit: @foodmakescalhappy
The oldest fish head steamboat restaurant in Singapore, Nan Hwa Chong Fishhead Steamboat Corner has been around since 1927. The fish head steamboat you’ll get here today is made with the same recipe that they started out with, back in the day. To make it even more nostalgic, each hotpot is still heated with red-hot charcoal─a sight not often seen today. A classic choice here is the Pomfret Fishboat (from $38+), a Teochew favourite that’s beloved for the natural sweetness of the fish. If you prefer other sorts of fish, they do have it with red grouper, and snapper as well. On the side, get their Signature Pork Belly Fried Rice ($9+), a fried rice dish served with deep fried pork that’s been marinated with a house-fermented tofu.
Choose to enjoy the fishboat experience in-store, or order online to be entitled to 10% dining rebates when you use your OCBC 365 Credit Card here.
Address: 812 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198779
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 12am
Tel: 6297 9319
Website
6. Kelly Jie
Image credit: @samsergiochew
Previously known as Mellben Seafood Toa Payoh, Kelly Jie, the iconic manager there, has taken over the reins at this particular branch. Fan favourites remain on the menu, including the Claypot Crab Vermicelli Soup that has long been the hit item at all Mellben outlets. Besides that particular hit item, you can also opt for Creamy Butter Crab, or ‘Kan Xiang’ Crab, a curry-based stir-fry sauce that’s moreish and addictive. Of course, Kelly Jie has her own signature dishes too, such as Kelly Signature Salted Egg Fried Rice ($11.50++), and Kelly Superior Four Treasure Soup ($48++).
Pre-order your meal online, pick up your meal, or opt for islandwide delivery through the Kelly Jie website! Don’t forget to check out with your OCBC 365 Credit Card for further rebates.
Address: Blk 211 Toa Payoh Lorong 8, #01-11/15, Singapore 310211
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 6353 3120 / 8123 4156
Website
7. Tasty Loong by Chef Pung
Image credit: @xiaobeedaddy
Chef Pung Lu Tin has had an illustrious career in the kitchen that spans more than 40 years. Tasty Loong is the culmination of all that experience, dishing up zi char that made waves with the flaming Crispy “Dong Tok” Roasted Chicken ($24++), where a whole chicken is set on fire with Chinese rose wine. Go for the Stewed Rice Vermicelli with Supreme Stock in Opeh Leaf ($16++), where the leaf, like the best fried hokkien prawn mees we’ve tried, imparts a fragrance to the dish. For something luxe, try the White Pepper Crab With Black Truffle ($68++), that comes with 800g of crab.
If you’re looking to enjoy Tasty Loong’s fare at home, order it online, and pay with your OCBC 365 Credit Card!
Website
Full list of locations
8. Red House Seafood
Red House Seafood has a history that dates back to 1976, and is one of Singapore’s oldest seafood restaurants. You may remember them being at the East Coast Seafood Centre, but they’ve now moved to several, more central locations. Try their chef’s handmade specialities, including the Golden Trio Platter ($36++/$72++), and Hakka Prawn Roll ($18++/$36++).
Choose one of seven different ways to have your crab, of which you can select from Sri Lankan Mud Crabs, Scottish Brown Crabs, and Alaskan King Crabs. They’re seafood specialists, so you can be assured you’re going to get the freshest crabs here. I highly recommend having your choice of fish steamed with Chef’s Nonya Sauce, if you’d like to try something new.
For dining reservations, and takeaways, phone in to the outlets at Clarke Quay (6442 3112) and Grand Copthorne (6735 7666), and make payment with your OCBC 365 Credit Card to get dining rebates!
Clarke Quay
Address: 3C, River Valley Road, #01-02/03, The Cannery, Singapore 179022
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm
Tel: 6442 3112
Website
Grand Copthorne
Address: 392 Havelock Road, Level 2, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore 169663
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 2:30pm, 5pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm
Tel: 6735 7666
Website
9. Sum Kee Food
Image credit: @sumkeefood
Great news for zi char fans─dining at Sum Kee Food comes with no GST and service charge! Their signatures include Ultraman Chicken (from $16), a fried salted egg chicken dish that’s a favourite with many long-time customers. Alongside this is their take on London Braised Duck (from $32), that promises fall-off-the-bone meat in a braise gravy. Otherwise, head down memory lane with Pig Trotter Beehoon ($23), for an old-school classic.
Pay with your OCBC 365 Credit Card when you dine in, or get your meal delivered via the Sum Kee website, for 10% dining rebates.
Website
Full list of locations
10. Geylang Claypot Rice
Image credit: @cknchowmein
Contrary to its name, Geylang Claypot Rice is now no longer located in Geylang, but in swanky new premises near Bugis. You can’t go wrong with their Classic Claypot Rice (from $16.80++), but if you’re feelin’ fancy, go for one of their premium selections, topped with your choice of Black Pepper Beef Cubes ($28++/$48++), Unagi ($30++/$60++), or even 8-Head Abalone ($55++)! For more variety, they’ve got seafood dishes you can order on the side, such as Pumpkin Crayfish, Salted Egg Sotong ($13.80++), or Sliced Fish With Black Bean Sauce & Bittergourd ($20.80++).
Don’t forget to get the bill with your OCBC 365 Credit Card when you dine in, or pick up your takeaways from Geylang Claypot Rice!
Address: 361/363/365 Beach Road, 199576
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 2:30pm (last order at 2pm), 5pm to 10pm (last order at 9:30pm)
Tel: 6744 4574 / 6744 3619
Website
Zi char with OCBC 365
Bring your fam out for a zi char treat once bigger groups are allowed to dine out, or order takeaways and deliveries with your OCBC 365 Credit Card. We’ve only listed 10, but there are another five that you could consider, including Long Ji Zi Char, Por Kee Eating House, and more! These zi char institutions are the long-time favourites of many a family, so make sure you enjoy the 10% rebates before 31 July too. Terms and conditions apply.
Find out more about dining promotions with OCBC 365 here!
This post was brought to you by OCBC.
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