Cheap eats in Singapore may be rare but definitely not impossible to find if you know where to look ? And the best part is, you don’t have to go breaking your piggy banks for extra loose change.
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Let’s set aside the whimsical cafes for now and pursue the more economical food scene of hawker centres for the best bang for your buck. Presenting: the $2 halal food guide in Singapore where you can fill your tummy with just one purple note. Here are some top picks!
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1. Junshin Express (Halal-Certified)
Takeaway sushi for just 50 cents? Yup, you read that right! Tucked away in the 2nd floor basement of Bedok Mall, Junshin Express is the go-to place for those looking for a quick and affordable way to satisfy their sushi cravings.
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Take your pick from your usual array of yummy sushi like crab meat, squid and cucumber for just 50 cents a piece! So, if your budget is $2, you can get 4 pieces, which is a pretty decent meal right?
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Add on 20 cents and you can get yourself a small but filling salmon sushi bowl! ?
Outlets:
- 311 New Upper Changi Road #B2-20 Singapore 467360, Bedok, Singapore
- Stall 3, Ngee Ann Ploytechnic
Opening Hours: Daily; 10:00AM - 10:00PM (Bedok Mall) | Website
2. Cendol at Makan Melaka (Muslim-owned)
Nothing is quite like an ice dessert to cool you down on a hot sunny day! For as little as $1.50, treat yourself to a refreshing bowl of cendol – a traditional Malay dessert drink of sweetened coconut milk, palm sugar syrup and green starched jelly worms infused with pandan flavour.
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Give it a quick stir before slurping the sweet, rich goodness to quench your thirst. Or top up $0.30 more for an additional scoop of sweet corn or red bean for a richer cendol experience! Other toppings like glutinous rice and durian (and even a combination of these toppings!) are available at different price points.
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Address:
1. Block 492 Jurong West Avenue 1, #01-70, Singapore 640492
2. Block 1 Changi Village Road, #01-2046, Singapore 500001
Opening hours:
1. 7am to 7pm daily.
2. 10:30am to 10pm daily.
[ P.S. Still hungry? Check out these 16 halal eateries in Singapore that has everyone coming back for more! ]
3. Nasi Lemak at Azme Corner Muslim Food (Muslim-owned)
If the popularity of McDonald’s “Nasi Lemak” burger told us anything, it’d be that Singaporeans treasure nasi lemak deeply. Who can resist a good plate of nasi lemak, especially when it costs less than $2!
Over at Azme Corner, you'll get the usual fragrant coconut rice, crispy and salty fried ikan bilis (anchovies) and peanuts and an omelette for only $1.80!
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Add a dollar more to get a deliciously fried Selar fish (or fried chicken wing!) to complete your nasi lemak dish. A set with both fish and chicken will only set you back by $3.20.
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With so many variations of proteins to add to your plate, you can control the cost of your nasi lemak which ranges between $1.80 to $3.50. It’s a hearty meal for a few bucks!
Address: Block 122 Bedok North Street 2, Singapore 460122
4. Enaq The Prata Shop (Muslim-owned)
A breakfast staple in Singapore is the ever-versatile roti prata – a pan-fried flat bread served with either fish or mutton curry. Over at Enaq, the pratas are thicker and denser than most others but just as crispy. Buttery aroma, wonderfully crisp on the outside, and fluffy on the inside – who’s hungry already? ?
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All these are made better knowing that each piece of plain prata is priced at an affordable $1. Enaq serves up their wonderful pratas with mutton and fish curries as well as a dollop of sambal chilli for that extra kick of spice!
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Have a sweet tooth? Try their Peanut Butter prata ($2) or the Milky Gem ($2) — a plain prata filled with condensed milk and M&M's candies.
Address: Block 21 Ghim Moh Road, Singapore 270021
Opening Hours: 8am to 8pm daily (Closed every last Tuesday of the month)
[ P.S. Fulfill your prayers after your meal at these 16 prayer spaces in Singapore's touristy areas! ]
5. IAAI Malay Food at Havelock Road (Muslim-owned)
A hidden gem resides at Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre, where you can dine on dishes like mee rebus, mee siam, mee soto and lontong for only $2 each!
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IAAI Malay Food is where you’ll get to fill your tummy without hurting your wallet! With a variety of yummy dishes to choose from, you’re sure to come back to try a different affordable alternative each time.
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One of their star dishes is mee siam – thin rice vermicelli noodles served in a light, spicy and sour gravy. It's garnished with bean sprouts, garlic chives and a lime wedge, with a dollop of sambal chilli. YUM! ?
Address: Blocks 22A/B Havelock Road, #01-23, Singapore 161022
Opening hours: 8am to 3pm daily
6. Tip Top Curry Puff (Halal-certified)
Looking for a mid-day snack to curb your hunger before dinner? Tip Top curry puff is the answer for you! With its scrumptious, flaky pastry and generous savoury fillings, a Tip Top curry puff is sure to satisfy you!
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The local curry puff is like a miniature pie, usually filled with curried chicken and a piece of hard-boiled egg. The semi-circled shaped pastry then has its edges crimped by hand. We’ll take six to share please! ?
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These puffs go for $1.40 each and comes with fillings like chicken curry, Nyonya beef rendang and sardine.
Address: For full listings of outlets, click here!
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7:30am to 9pm, Sat: 7:30am to 6pm
7. Warong Jawa (Muslim-owned)
An economically-priced bowl of noodles makes for a happy tummy and wallet! Luscious, thick gravy on yellow noodles and garnished with fried shallows, greens and a squeeze of calamansi lime – this familiar sight on a plate is kept at $2 for those who seek real affordable comfort Malay food.
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Their bowl of soto ayam is also priced at $2 while the nasi lemak (including fried chicken wing!) goes for only $2.80.
Address: Bedok South Market and Food Centre, 16 Bedok South Road, #01-17, Singapore 460016
Operating hours: 6am – 1pm
8. TuanTuan.PuanPuan
It's not a secret that chicken rice is a favourite amongst locals, and a stall that sells cheap and delicious chicken rice is definitely on everyone's radar. Located near the Woodlands MRT, the eatery is a mere walking distance, which means you won't need to walk too far to tuck into a bowl of your humble fare! And the best part - you can dine here for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even supper, as they're open till late everyday!
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Choose from the roasted or steamed options for a plate of authentic chicken rice or opt for other equally affordable dishes like the nasi lemak ($2.20!).
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Location: 30 Woodlands Ave 2, Singapore 738343
Opening hours: 6AM to 11.15PM daily
You may need to fork out a little bit more than $2 at these eateries but the food is so worth that extra dollar!
*BONUS
Swedish meatballs at IKEA Tampines (Halal-certified)
This furniture-filled mall is a real fan-favourite! If you’ve always been curious about the famous Swedish meatballs at IKEA but don’t want to order the large portion of 15, don’t shy away from ordering from the kids’ menu where you’ll get a plate of 5 meatballs for only $3!
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IKEA’s halal Swedish meatballs are made from beef and chicken, served with boiled potatoes, tangy Lingonberry jam and a peppery brown gravy.
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If you’re still feeling peckish, however, the adult portion goes for $8.50 for 15 meatballs.
Address: 60 Tampines North Drive 2, Singapore 528764
Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday: 9am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday: 9am – 10.30pm
Mee Soto at Inspirasi Stall (Muslim-owned)
The stall everyone is raving about at Bedok Interchange hawker centre – Inspirasi stall and their signature awesome mee soto! This steaming bowl of yellow noodles served in a light chicken broth, topped with succulent shredded chicken, bean sprouts and spring onions is what comfort food looks like. And it’s more comforting to know a bowl costs only $2.50!
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Leave the soup plain for a deliciously warming meal or add a spoonful of chilli for a spicy kick!
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Address: 208B New Upper Changi Road, #01-11 Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Singapore 462208
Opening hours: 11am to 11pm daily
Power Mee Rebus at Rahim Muslim Food (Muslim-owned)
Whoever said Singapore’s hawker food is not innovative clearly have not tried the Power Mee Rebus at Rahim Muslim Food. This truly indulgent take on the classic Malay dish pairs nutty satay sauce with the mee rebus gravy!
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For $3, you'll get the usual mee rebus dish of yellow noodle in a thick, spicy potato-based gravy. This yummy dish is garnished with a hard-boiled egg, spring onions, bean sprouts, fried shallots, tau kwa and lime wedge, plus a scoop of satay sauce to boot! Top up $0.80 more for an extra serving of shredded chicken and you’ll get a really unique fusion mee rebus dish that's sure to be your next favourite meal!
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P.S. Don’t forget the sliced green chilies for a spicier kick!
Address: Block 721 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 Coffeeshop, Singapore 560721
Opening hours: 11:30am to 8pm (Closed on alternate Sundays)
Putu Piring at Haig Road (Muslim-owned)
Haig Road’s famous Putu Piring is often seen with snaking queues and for good reason too! Freshly grated coconut, rich gula Melaka filling and perfectly steamed rice flour perfumed with pandan leaves – just $2.50 for an explosion of flavours!
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These delicate kueh comes in a packet of 5 and is best eaten warm, while the melted palm sugar is all deliciously gooey inside! Do take note that long queues are common at this stall but your patience will be rewarded once you bite into one of these!
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Address: 13 Haig Road, Singapore 430013
Opening hours: 11am to 10pm
Cheap eats in Singapore? Definitely possible! And there you have it - really affordable food options in Singapore that you'll keep coming back for more ?
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