The best cheap eats in Singapore that are actually good

Enjoy affordable and authentic Vietnamese food at this little eatery that’s tucked away in a corner of Balestier Point. Our personal favourite, the banh mi thit bo xao (beef) costs $9.80 per sandwich, but you can get a banh mi for as cheap as $7.50. Besides banh mi, Nhung Kitchen also offers rice and noodle dishes starting at $8.70, such as their bun thit ga huong (grilled chicken with rice vermicelli) and com suon trung (barbecued pork chop with rice).

Who says dim sum has to be an expensive affair? Swee Choon offers dim sum at an affordable price, starting at $1.60. For something more filling, go for the congee with minced pork and century egg ($3.90). Many also flock to the restaurant for its signature mee-suah kueh, Portuguese egg tarts, chee cheong fun (from $2.40), custard-rich salted egg liu sha bao ($5.10) and more dim sum staples. The chain has made a name as one of the go-to supper spots in the country, so don’t be surprised to find a queue well into the early hours for a table here.

Drop by the oldest coffee shop in Singapore and have a plate of nasi lemak for just $2.80. That's as economical as it gets when you're dining in the heart of town. Killiney Kopitiam serves a wide variety of local favourites, such as mee rebus ($5.20), mee siam ($5), and laksa ($5.20), with all of the mains coming in below $10. You can indulge in a dessert such as grass jelly with longan ($3) and finish off your meal with a coffee (from $1.90) and still spend less than $10.

You know a place is good when they only feature a couple of items on their menu, meaning that they’ve perfected those said dishes. Prince Noodles does just that, only offering their signature noodles and two different types of dumplings. You can get a bowl of noodles starting at $6 and choose from three different types of noodles — you mian, mee hoon kueh, or ban mian. And you don't mind busting the $10 budget by just a dollar, you can top up for a plate of chive and pork dumplings, chicken karaage, or other sides for $5.

Orchard Tower may not be on anyone’s top three places to visit while in town, but don’t let its unassuming appearance deter you from a good hearty meal. Located on the third floor is Thai Tantric, an eatery that serves authentic Thai food at an affordable price. Most of their mains will set you back around $8 to $9, but the relatively big portions make the price point more worth it. We recommend their Thai-style char kway teow ($8) also known as pad see ew, which, similar to our local delicacy, sees flat noodles fried up with dark soy sauce till smoky and slightly charred.

Those looking for a cheap but hearty meal should make the trip down to The Shelter. Located in Fook Hai Building, this sleek and industrisl café serves up local delicacies such as mee rebus ($6), mee siam ($6), and curry chicken with rice ($7). You can even get a bowl of pork and century egg porridge for just $3. If you’re the type to enjoy a sweet treat after a meal, try some of The Shelter’s house-made gelato starting from $4.50. The Shelter also offers streetwear clothing which are available to purchase at the store, and while you’re there, why not take a picture with the giant whale statue as well?

Keep it super simple at Super Simple, a salad bar where you can customise your perfect salad starting from $9.90. With over 30 options to choose from ranging from the base to the toppings and dressings, you can build a salad that’s just to your liking. For those who may find a huge number of options overwhelming, Super Simple also has house salads with recommended pairings for you to choose from under its 'No Fuss' section (from $9.90).

Drop by Ba Buong Banh Mi if you ever find yourself in the west, and get a banh mi starting from just $5. We recommend the heo quay (roast pork), as the crispy, juicy pork complements the soft and fluffy bread perfectly ($7). You can also get a combo with a cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee for $8.50. Those who prefer their coffee sweeter, opt for their ca phe sua dua (coconut milk coffee), which costs $2.50.

Step into the past at Great Nanyang Heritage Café, where the interior has been decorated to resemble old kopitiams from the 50s to 80s. The menu consists of local favourites, such as dry mee siam (from $8.90) and hor fun with egg ($6.90), as well as unique pairings such as curry leaves french fries ($4.80) and chicken floss thick toast ($4.80).

Japanese food can be pretty price, but Katsu-an serves a delicious katsu don at an affordable price. Starting at $5.90, you can get a crispy pork loin katsu with fluffy eggs and rice. For those who enjoy a gooey soft-boiled egg to go with their rice bowls, simply top up an additional $1.20. Katsu-an also offers various teishoku (traditional Japanese set meal) for you to choose from, which includes the loin katsu, rice, soup, and a side dish starting at $7.90, ensuring a hearty meal that leaves you full.

Freshly made pasta under $10 might sound ludicrous but at Tangled, it isn't – they ain't about that instant spaghetti life. Instead, they have fresh pasta options such as squid ink spaghetti, mushroom or beetroot pappardelle and spinach penne that are readily customisable. And they keep things au natural here without the use of food colourings and preservatives. You can build your own pasta starting from $6.90 with over 20 options, or try their house pastas starting from $9.90.

At Bamboo Bowls, you can get a meal designed by renowned chefs – like Mano Thevar from Michelin-approved Thevar and MasterChef Singapore judge Damian D'Silva — starting from $10. These nutritious Asian bowls are made for quick lunches and will fuel you for the rest of the workday that's to come. Choose from eight different flavours inspired by cities around Asia — Sichuan, Bangkok, Bombay, Seoul, Osaka, and more. For those comfortable with forking out a little more, $5 will get you a hefty addition of proteins such as spiced lamb kofta. 

Lechon is the pride of Cebu and this casual joint is all about serving up one of the tastiest crisp-skin hogs while keeping things affordable. It is nothing short of a flavour explosion: crackling skin gives way to tender meat and layers of juicy fat. Enjoy it in the lechon paksiw, which features the juicy meat coated in lechon sauce, beef stock, and bay leaves, resulting in a flavourful and succulent meal. This set costs $8.50 but comes with rice and a drink, giving you more bang for your buck. While they go a little over budget, the lechon kare-kare meal ($11.30), and chopped lechon meal ($12.80) are also great ways to enjoy this crispy roast pork.

This top tendon chain from Japan utilises a special tempura-frying machine that can churn out over 1000 pieces of perfectly crisp parcels in under an hour. With this efficient, reliable rate, properly prepped tendon bowls can be produced in short durations and greater quantities. This allows Tenya to keep its price low – just $9.90 for its signature namesake bowl, which comes crowned with prawn, redfish, squid, pumpkin, and French beans. Looking to cut down on carbs (and more cost-savings)? Opt for the less rice option to shave $0.50 off your bill. Or go plant-based with the vegetable tendon ($9.50) which is equally as delicious.

The Singapore outpost of Bangalore institution Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) serves arguably some of the best thosai on the island. For starters, it's the Karnataka-style thosai ($6 for plain) of fermented rice and black lentils griddle is cooked to perfection. For the uninitiated, Karnataka is a southern state in India. The thosai at MTR are made from a 60-year-old recipe that requires no modification. Hearty, moreish, and sinfully ghee-laced, every piping hot sheet is served with sambhar and chutney. There's also the masala thosai ($7) for an added kick of spice.

Our favourite outlet of the three is in Joo Chiat. This comforting bowl will only set you back $7.80. The works: three palm-size prawns, thick slices of pork belly, crunchy beansprouts, kangkong and of course, the umami-rich broth. No one to peel the prawns for you? Go with the pork rib noodle ($7.80) instead as you'll still enjoy the hearty prawn soup. By the way, your first soup refill is free – you can thank us later. While prices are comparable to many coffee shops out there but why risk it? Here, you're guaranteed a solid bowl of prawn noodles.

Like the namesake, this casual joint offers many affordable – and well-made – Hong Kong dishes from dim sum, BBQ meats to noodles and rice. A satisfying bowl of shrimp wonton noodles will cost you $8.30 and a plate of curry beef brisket rice $9.50. If you're going light, the silky steamed rolls start from just $4 a serving. Visit during off-peak hours for epic savings where hearty set meals start from just $7.

Enjoy a traditional breakfast of artisanal toast, soft-boiled eggs and freshly brewed Nanyang coffee with a view – all under $10. Tucked away in the heartlands of Yishun is a slice of paradise for early risers and breakfast goers. Coffees start from $1.80 and fresh bakes from an attractive $2.80. But rise early, this gem in the heartland closes early – at 2pm in the afternoon.

The pies at Sonny’s Pizza are inspired by the grab-and-go culture of high-speed New York. They’re sold by the slice so not exactly artisanal, but delish nonetheless. Their pies are made using low-gluten 00 flour and fresh beer yeast, which promises a pizza that’s equal parts crispy and chewy. A good starter slice is their “I’m Going Green” ($7.80). Put aside all prior beliefs: a vegetarian pizza can be as tasty as a meat-based pie, and this pizza with mushrooms and a rich bechamel sauce proves just that.

For some good ol’ laksa, Sungei Road Laksa comes to mind without question. Tuck into a bowl of traditional Katong Laksa, topped with cockles, green leaves and sauces for only just $4. The broth comes rich and textured, slurping it all down to the last drop is the only way you can do the dish justice. If you are feeling extra hungry, you could just order another round. Trust us, with your bellies full, you'll hardly feel the pinch.

While there’s a wide variety of curries to choose from at Azmi, ask any connoisseur and they’ll tell you that chapati (from $1.20) goes best with mutton keema ($4). Tear off some of the warm flatbread, scoop up the devil-red mix of minced mutton, potato and peas, add a slice of raw cucumber or onion, and stuff it all in as the keema dribbles down your hand. It’s so good, you won’t mind the mess.

Enjoy a smokeless barbecue meal at Yakiniku-GO. This casual heartland eatery utilises an electric grill to cook up cuts of beef and chicken – all without the lingering odour. Cash in on the $9.90 Hero Set. This mega value meal includes a 100-gram Oyster Blade steak, shiitake mushroom, onion, rice, soup, and the choice of kimchi or salad. Other sets are also affordably priced if you're comfortable working around the $15 range.

Hit up this modern smokehouse for real-deal American barbecue. Inspired by the smokehouses in Nashville, Memphis, and Austin, the Telok Ayer joint serves up its juicy Meatsmith Cheeseburger for just $10 on Tuesdays. It has a hefty slice of grilled and smoked patty – enough to fill you up till dinnertime. Be sure to take advantage of this promotion as the burger costs $16 on regular days. There's also the $10 pulled pork sandwich available on Thursdays. 

What started out as a hawker stall at Yishun Park Hawker Centre has now branched out to the CBD. The menu at Ah Lock & Co. combines modern Hakka rice bowls (from $8.80) with freshly made min jiang kueh (from $1.80). Get the Hakka vege rice bowl, a well-balanced meal featuring homemade potato salad, coleslaw, tofu, and the quintessential mani cai (sayur manis) served atop fluffy rice. Or top up $1.60 to enjoy homemade Hakka meatballs for extra protein.

It’s might be a popular supper joint, but the famous herbal mee sua (from $5.80) can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Each bowl of nourishing soup comes swimming with vermicelli and slices of pork, kidney, and liver. Others make their way down for their herbal black chicken soups boiled with herbs like ginseng or cordyceps. If you're looking for a ton of wok-hei, try the crispy JB pan-fried bee hoon ($10.80).

While creamy ramen broth comes made with pork bones, at this Halal-certified noodle joint, the soup comes fortified with an umami mix of chicken, vegetables, kelp, and bonito flakes. For a cheap, and light, meal, consider the clear shoyu ramen ($9.90) with chicken chashu, marinated egg, seasoned bamboo shoots, aosa seaweed, and shredded white leek. The reduced oil content and clean-tasting broth makes it all too easy to slurp up the entire bowl.

The menu is simple. Either you go with dumplings or noodles (preferably both) at this joint and even with the little choices it has on the menu, it's still difficult making choices. Noodle bowls start from $9 and come in delightful flavours like miso mushroom, braised pork and Sichuan pork. The crowd favourites are the dumplings and for $8 you can get a plate of five for yourself. Try the crispy pierogis ($8) which are stuffed with smoked bacon, truffle potato, caramelised onion, cheddar and sriracha cream.

Bid goodbye to long queues at hot and stuffy Chinatown Complex – you can now have a taste of chef Chan Hon Meng's Michelin-winning dishes at his new quick-service restaurant, Hawker Chan. The air-conditioned restaurant sits 80 and serves the same dishes that catapulted Chan to fame, in particular, the humble soya sauce chicken rice (from $6.80), among other roast meats and noodle dishes.

One of Singapore's best-kept secrets, this small stall is only open on weekdays and even so, tends to run out pretty early so it might take you a few tries before you finally get to try it. While the beloved dough discs are generally known for offering a budget meal, the husband-wife duo’s roti prata is one you should try for its crackling crispiness. Savoured alone, but also fantastic with curry, the roti prata makes for a great start to your day. For the works, the plain starts from just $1.50 and an egg prata will set you back $2.

The queue at this nasi padang restaurant stretches out the door even before lunchtime hits. We can't blame the crowd, though, as only the early birds get the worm. Or in this case, stellar beef rendang and sambal goreng. Also, don't miss out on the tauhu telor that sells out fast. Aside from quintessential nasi padang dishes, there are also rarer ones like lemak siput sedut, sea snails swimming in a coconut-rich broth. It all starts from just $4.

Despite the recent price increase, mains at this no-frills Korean restaurant still range around the tens — pretty decent for a Korean joint in Singapore. Choose from a wide variety of options here. A comforting bowl of dumpling soup goes for $7 and ramen for $7. For $10.50, you can get yourself bubbling hot bowls of tofu soup, soybean paste soup, and the classic pork kimchi soup. There's also the option of ordering a portion of spicy Korean rice cakes ($6) or chive pancake ($5) to share.