We’ve all had our fair share of bagged school lunches that inevitably consisted of either a ham, tuna, cheese or egg salad sandwich, but there’s more to the sarnie than that! So if you’re craving a quick, portable lunch it’s definitely time to revisit this humble lunch option and see what new epicurean surprises await between these slices of gourmet bread.
Sarnies
The name’s a dead giveaway, and we couldn’t not show love to our trusty hangout just across our office! This sandwich sanctuary serves up a variety of healthy, hearty bites to the lunchtime crowd. Here, even the classic tuna salad sandwich gets a little upgrade with the addition of bell peppers, onions and coriander. If you need something a little more substantial, the grass-fed steak sandwich with mushrooms, onion, mixed greens and its absolutely delish steak sauce will satisfy. And to chase away the inevitable post-lunch food coma, make sure you grab one of its great coffees on your way out.
Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601, p. 6224 6091. Open Mon & Tue 7.30am-6pm, Wed-Fri 7.30am-9pm, Sat & Sun 9am-4pm.
Park Bench Deli
“Bold sandwiches made with swagger” they proudly proclaim. And if you’re already savvy with the sandwich scene, you’d have heard tales of its legendary fried chicken sandwich. While that’s been discontinued, you can still sink your teeth into its spiritual successor, the chicken katsu sandwich with panko-crumbed chicken thigh, tonkatsu sauce, Japanese cucumber, shredded cabbage and kewpie. But if it’s a sweet tooth you’re looking to sate, look no further than the decadent comfort food fave, PB&J: peanut butter, jelly, chocolate and a crunchy cornflake crust.
Park Bench Deli, 179 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068627. Open Mon-Fri 9am-10pm.
Sacha & Sons
The iconic image of the suit-clad, sandwich-wielding New Yorker on the way to work is testament to the city’s love for the sarnie. So it should come as no surprise that this New York-style deli’s made this list. Sacha & Sons utilises custom-made steamers, a unique curing process and a special rub to get the most authentic New York-style pastrami. Spring for the classic deli or the signature grilled Reuben for a meaty, mustardy feed.
Sacha & Sons, 333A Orchard Road, #03-02 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897.
Free The Robot
A third amazing sandwich place, right on our street? We bet you’re pretty jealous now. New kids on the block, Free The Robot, brew up mighty good cuppas as divine as their stellar sandwiches. This writer’s personal favourite is the Surf-n-Turf: prawn and pork meatballs on a noticeably sweet, crumbly brioche served with greens and marinara sauce. Major props for the bread here!
Free the Robot, 118 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068587, Open Tue-Sat 8.30am-4.30pm. Closed on Mon & Sun.
Kraftwich
Want something that’s not overly filling for your lunch break? Swissbake’s brand new concept might be exactly what the doctor ordered. The cafe serves up a hearty selection of sandwiches like the smoked duck and the salmon Kraftwiches. This sarnie joint puts a lot of effort into it’s healthy multi-grain breads made from a healthy grains like wheat, soya, sunflower seeds, and flax. Despite the central CBD location, Kraftwich is easy on your wallet and won’t set you back more than a tenner.
Kraftwich, #B1-04/05, One Raffles Place, Singapore 048616, p. 6438 5730.
Melt Bar
Is a grilled cheese sandwich still a grilled cheese if you add additional ingredients to it? Ponder this while sinking your teeth into Melt Bar’s gooey, cheese filled creations like the pulled pork and coleslaw grilled cheese or the bacon guac. Of course, the purists among us can go back to basics with the classic grilled cheese with just-sharp cheddar and mozzarella for some unadulterated cheesy indulgence.
Melt Bar, Pasarbella @ The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287994.
Smoke Shack
This fuss-free sandwich joint serves up a selection of barbecued and smoked meat sandwiches at reasonable prices. The meats here are smoked in-house and result is smokey, rich tasting pastrami that falls apart in your mouth. We’re ardent fans of its excellent rendition of the Reuben, with its tangy Russian dressing and robust slices of rye bread. The more adventurous sarnie seekers should try the smoked duck, blue cheese and apple sandwich.
SmokeShack, 2 Amoy St, #01-01 Far East Square, Singapore 049945. p. 6557 2214. Open Mon-Fri 7.30am-6pm.
A slider with the ID of 513 doesn't exist.Nam Nam Noodle Bar
New Yorkers aren’t the only ones famous for their sandwiches. In addition to the much-lauded pho, Vietnam’s other culinary export is its localised take on the submarine sandwich. Dive right into the caramelised five-spice pork belly banh mi, or for a more adventurous bite, try the wagyu beef banh mi with braised mushrooms and pig’s head terrine.
Nam Nam Noodle Bar, various locations.
Pince and Pints
Lobster rolls are hardly what comes to mind when sandwiches are mentioned, but the ripples of the lobster roll craze can still be felt – if you know where to look. Our top pick for this New England classic goes to Pince and Pints’ classic lobster roll. Packed with generous servings of lobster meat with a side of mesclun salad, fries, and garlic aioli sauce, this bad boy is packed with flavour and certainly won’t disappoint.
Pince & Pints, 32 Duxton Road, Singapore 089496. p. 6225 7558. Open Mon-Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat 12pm-11pm.
Neon Pigeon
This hip Keong Saik haunt does up a lot more than killer cocktails. If you’re looking for an afterwork tipple along with a quick, convenient bite, you can’t go wrong with Neon Pigeon’s delectable duck baos. Stuffed between soft mantou you’ll find thick slices of tender duck, shaved cabbage, shitake and pickled ginger. And yes, perhaps it’s not a sandwich in the traditional sense, it’s meat between bread so it counts!
Neon Pigeon, #01-03, 1 Keong Saik Street, Singapore 089109, p. 6222 3623. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-12am. Closed Sun.