The best cheap eats in Singapore

Wanton Seng’s Noodle Bar closed in February 2023, but the owners behind the beloved noodle bar have opened up a new restaurant, Riot, that features Southeast Asian flavours presented in an izakaya setting. Despite the new concept, Wanton Seng’s signature aburi char siu noodles ($6) still remain. Other newer additions include mala dan dan noodles ($8) and fried chicken nasi lemak ($8). Take advantage of their lunchtime offers and try their house brew for an additional $1.

Enjoy affordable and authentic Vietnamese food at this little eatery that’s tucked away in a corner of Balestier Point. Their personal favourite, the banh mi thit bo xao (beef) costs $8 per sandwich, but you can get a banh mi for as cheap as $5.50. Besides banh mi, Nhung Kitchen also offers rice and noodle dishes starting at $7, 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 Tim Sum Restaurant offers dim sum at an affordable price, starting at $2. For a filling snack, try the Peking dumplings – juicy duck meat encased in a soft dumpling ($4.50 for four). For those who would rather skip the dim sum and head straight for the mains, get a flavourful double-boiled spare rib watercress soup for just $5.70, or drunken chicken in shao xing wine for $6.50.

Drop by the oldest coffee shop in Singapore and have a plate of nasi lemak for $2.80. Killiney Kopitiam serves a wide variety of local favourites, such as mee siam ($5), and laksa ($5.20), with most of the mains coming in below $10. You can indulge in a dessert such as their 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 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 $5.50 and choose from three different types of noodles. To really get your $10 worth, order a side of dumplings with either chives and pork or mushrooms and pork for only $4.50.

Orchard Tower may not be on anyone’s top three places to visit while in Orchard, 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 $8, but their relatively big portions make the price point more worth it. We recommend their Thai-style char kway teow ($8), which puts a unique twist on the local delicacy.

Those looking for a cheap but hearty meal should make the trip down to The Shelter. Located in Fook Hai Building, this sleek and modern 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. 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?

Have breakfast anytime at Breakfast Club – a hawker stall that serves all day Western-style breakfasts. Opt for a hearty meal with its breakfast plate, which includes pork sausage, hashbrowns, cherry tomatoes, baked beans, scrambled eggs, sauteed mushrooms, and bacon strips ($9.90). For those who prefer a more conventional lunch, Breakfast Club also offers mains such as chicken chop ($7.80), and a beef stew with mash ($8.90), so be sure to stop by if you’re ever in the area.

Keep it super simple at Super Simple, a salad bar where you can customise your perfect salad starting at $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 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.

Drop by Ba Buong Banh Mi if you ever find yourself in the west, and get a banh mi starting from $5. We recommend their heo quay (roast pork), as the crispy, juicy pork complements the soft and fluffy bread perfectly ($6.50). You can also get a combo with a cup of Vietnamese coffee for $7.50. Those who prefer a sweeter coffee, 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 easily cost an arm and a leg, but Katsu-an serves a delicious katsu don at an affordable price. Starting at $5.90, you can get a crispy loin katsu with fluffy eggs and rice. For those who enjoy a gooey, runny egg to go with their rice bowls, simply top up an additional dollar. Katsu-an also offers various teishoku for you to choose from, which includes the loin katsu, rice, soup, and a side dish starting at $8.90, 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 is 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.

What can $10 get you these days? At Bamboo Bowls, you can get a meal designed by renowned chefs – like Mano Thevar from Michelin-approved Thevar. 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 the cities of Singapore, Sichuan, Saigon, Bangkok, Bali, Tokyo, Mumbai, and Seoul. For those comfortable with forking out a little more, $5 will get you a hefty addition of proteins such as a 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 $8.30 but is accompanied 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 1,000 pieces of perfectly crisp parcels in under an hour. With this efficient, reliable rate, properly prepped tendon bowls that can be produced in short durations, and in 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 the price of the bowl. Or go plant-based with the Vegetable Tendon ($8.90) which is equally as delicious.

The Singapore outpost of Bangalore institution Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) serves arguably the best thosai on the island. For starters, it's the Karnataka-style thosai ($5 for plain) of fermented rice and black lentils griddle is cooked to perfection. It’s a 60-year-old recipe that needs no modification. Hearty, moreish and sinfully ghee-laced, its served with sambhar and chutney. Don't be afraid to ask for more ghee, the restaurant is happy to serve you more.

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 $7.80 and a curry beef brisket rice at $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 $8.40.

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 2 in the afternoon.