A wholesome lunch in the CBD doesn’t have to break the bank! Here are our picks for cheap food in Singapore – from Telok Ayer and Tanjong Pagar, to Amoy Street and Raffles Place.
Lunch is arguably one of our favourite times in the office. There’s nothing like stepping away from your laptop to get a piping hot meal that’ll fuel you through the day. There are days when we love to splurge a little extra. Other days, though? We look for affordable restaurants in the CBD to tide us through till payday. For those of us stretching a buck to make it to the end of the month, here are some cheap food options in Singapore for lunch.
Best cheap CBD food options in Singapore under $10
1. Dumpling Darlings
The Honeycombers team lives for the generous lunch set at Dumpling Darlings. A bowl of noodles, some dumplings, and a drink – what’s not to love? If we’re being honest, we struggled to finish everything. Fret not, because you can still dine in and have bowls of delicious noodles for just $8.50. Even after tax, you’ll be spending less than 10 bucks a pop! When you’re ready to splurge, come back for the dumpling platter so you can get a taste of everything.
Dumpling Darlings, multiple locations including Circular Road and Amoy Street
2. Pokomi
A healthy and tasty meal under $10? Say less. Pokomi is the place to be for rice or salad bowls with fresh ingredients served in generous portions. Go ahead and fill yourself up while keeping to your diet. The chef’s creations like the Spicy Chicken bowl ($9.90) and That’s So Tofu bowl ($8.90) are both affordable and delicious. For just slightly over $10, you can build your own bowl. We hear that the sauces are out of this world. If you end up getting the miso mayo, make sure to get it torched for added flavour!
Pokomi, #B1-02, Republic Plaza, 9 Raffles Place, Singapore 048619
3. Little Ribbons Pasta Co.
If you’re looking to carb-load for lunch, we’ve got the perfect place for a pasta fix. Located in the middle of the basement at Funan, you’ll find Little Ribbons Pasta Co.’s kiosk. The base prices for all the sauces are under $10, so it’s super wallet-friendly. Pick a sauce, the type of pasta you want, and add toppings! Just don’t go overboard because you can easily shoot past $10 if you get too trigger-happy with the add-ons. Oh, and beware of the food coma that’ll hit after.
Little Ribbons Pasta Co., #B2-K11, Funan, 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179105
4. Arcade Fish Soup
Nothing beats a steaming bowl of fish soup for lunch. It’s easy, it warms your soul, and delicious with or without milk. Arcade Fish Soup is an icon in the CBD for good reason because it’s been whipping up fish soup goodness since 1988! Whether you’re getting sliced or fried fish (or both), a regular bowl of soup sets you back $8. Add rice or noodles and you’ll have the perfect meal.
Arcade Fish Soup, multiple locations including Marina One and Marina Bay Link Mall
5. Rokus
If you take a gander through Lau Pa Sat, you’ll find plenty of cheap food in Singapore’s CBD. Between the wide range of cuisines like Thai, Indian, and Chinese, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Got a hankering for a good burger? Rokus grills up fun Korean-inspired burgers. But when you’re on a budget, chow down on the classic Cheeseburger for just $7.90. The juicy beef patty with melted cheese and signature sauce will fill you right up.
Rokus, Stall 22, Lau Pa Sat, 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
6. Sonny’s Pizza
Get a taste of New York at this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Singapore’s CBD. Sonny’s Pizza is unpretentious and straightforward. Everything is homemade, and there’s even a selection of craft beer for you to choose from. A single slice costs anywhere between $7 to $9. But if you have colleagues with the same cravings, go for a whole pie and split it amongst yourselves.
Sonny’s Pizza, 17 Circular Road, Singapore 049373
7. Bedok Bak Chor Mee
Don’t worry, this place is definitely in the CBD. A little stroll down Circular Road will get you there. Just look out for the yellow interior! Bowls of deliciously umami minced meat noodles are yours for just $5. Pick between the dry or soup versions with thick or thin noodles and slurp away. You can even upsize to a large bowl of noodles and get sides to split with colleagues, and you’ll still be below the $10 mark.
Bedok Bak Chor Mee, 13 Circular Road, Singapore 049369
8. Wanton Seng’s Noodle Bar
Slurp your way through a bowl of gourmet wanton noodles at this quirky noodle bar in Ann Siang. While certainly a bit pricier than its hawker counterparts, the eatery’s noodles come with char siu that’s definitely a cut above the rest – charred nicely without too much fat. We think it’s a great deal. You can get a mini bowl of Char Siu noods for $7, or upgrade to a regular at just $9.
Wanton Seng’s Noodle Bar, 10 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789
9. Jai Thai
Looking for a cheap lunch without leaving the comfort of your office? Try Jai Thai. There are plenty of authentic Thai classics to choose from, and most dishes are under $10. This includes seafood fried rice, phad Thai, and sides like omelettes and mango salad. A bowl of green curry chicken will only set you back $8.90. And there are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from. Once you split delivery fees amongst your colleagues, that’s your lunch under $10 sorted.
Jai Thai, #01-01, An Chuan Building, 27 Purvis Street, Singapore 188604
10. Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen
Bar by night and hipster Yong Tau Fu by day? Yep, Fu Lin’s definitely caught our attention. If you’re craving a good bowl of yong tau fu but want a slightly elevated experience without paying through your nose, Fu Lin is a great option. Despite the swish industrial bar decor, the lunch set with noodles or rice costs $6.50. Talk about a steal!
Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen, 127 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068596
11. Swissbake
Want something that’s not overly filling for your lunch break? Head to Swissbake for the Kraftwich menu. The cafe serves a hearty selection of sandwiches, salads, pastries and cakes. Despite its central CBD location, the food and beverages are reasonably priced. A smoked duck Kraftwich is priced at $9.50 while a cup of hot salted caramel latte costs $5.80. Our pick? We recommend the poached egg and turkey ham crumpet ($6.20) – available during breakfast hours.
Swissbake, multiple locations including Clarke Quay and Harbourfront
With these cheap food places in Singapore, you’ll keep both your stomach and wallet full!
