4 wallet-friendly bites for students

Food, oh glorious food! (PHOTO: evanezer, chansyummyfoods, sg_foodgasm)

Love dining out but stuck with a tight budget? Check out these four places that offer quality meals that are value-for-money.

Food, oh glorious food! (PHOTO: evanezer, chansyummyfoods, sg_foodgasm)

From hipster hawkers to aesthetically pleasing cafes, Singapore boasts a vibrant food scene, with new food and beverage (F&B) establishments sprouting out like mushrooms after rain. However, as a student, do you struggle to find more atas food places that you can actually afford? If so, fret not! It is still possible to enjoy restaurant-quality eats at affordable prices! We have compiled this list of four cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy atas meals under  $15. 

1. Chirashi King Kong 

Chirashi King Kong is a Japanese hot spot best known for its truffle-infused rice bowls, and for good reason. It now has four outlets at Biopolis Way (One-North), Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Millenia Walk and Sunshine Plaza.

Wished you can smell the truffle fragrance through the screen!  (PHOTO: whatisdigesting)

Their Salmon Mentaiko Bowl ($10.90) is a fan favourite. Filled with six sizeable slabs of aburi salmon, drizzled with torched mentaiko sauce, and draped over a bed of fluffy truffle-infused rice, this dish is sure to satisfy your tastebuds. 
Or, if you enjoy eating raw fish, their Bara Chirashi ($13.90) includes three different cuts of freshly diced sashimi: tuna, salmon, and swordfish.    

Location: Blk 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-06, Singapore 082001 

Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar station

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

     Friday:11.30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday: 11.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. 

     (Closed on Sundays)

2. Tangled Pasta 

Tangled Pasta is the new kid on the block, but fans already say it gives fellow competitor, Tipo, a run for its money! 

Located in the basement of Chinatown Point, Tangled Pasta sells four types of pasta handmade from scratch – spaghetti, fusilli, penne, and pappardelle rice – which comes in an assortment of naturally-derived flavourings and colours. 

The food combination you never expected…to taste so good! (PHOTO: thegluttonproject)

For the adventurous at heart, the odd-sounding Mango Tango ($9.90) offers a refreshing twist to your not-so-basic squid ink spaghetti aglio olio – it is laden with sweet chunks of mango salsa! 

Tangled Pasta only serves as a takeaway kiosk, but fret not – one way is to have them by the riverside at Clarke Quay (just one stop away) for an affordable pasta date night!

Location: 133 New Bridge Rd, #B1-52B, Singapore 059413

Nearest MRT: Chinatown station

Opening Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

3. Lola’s Cafe 

A popular neighbourhood spot for cafe-hoppers in the Kovan area, Lola’s Cafe offers quality brunch meals at reasonable prices – a stark contrast compared to similar cafes in the city, selling overpriced meals. Plus points for being pet-friendly as well!

Honey, spice, and everything nice – these were the ingredients chosen to make the perfect chicken wings. (PHOTO: travelfoodsteps)

If you’re craving for some finger-lickin’ good fried chicken, the Honey Paprika Crispy Wings ($10.00) is a crowd-pleaser. It is known for its mix of sweet and spicy mid joint wings that is well marinated in spices and honey. 

The dish is originally a starter, but the item is so addictive that some customers even have it as a main. 

Location: 5 Simon Rd, Singapore 545893

Nearest MRT: Hougang station

Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 10.30 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)

4. Hambaobao

With their catchy name derived from the Mandarin word for “burger”, Hambaobao serves  affordable, Asian-inspired artisanal burgers. Initially operating at Beauty World Hawker Centre, the stall now has an air-conditioned premise located at Jalan Besar. 

The perfect kind of messy (and wallet-friendly!) indulgence. (PHOTO: sethlui)

Their menu includes five signature burgers: The Classic Beef ($7.50), Spiced Pulled Pork ($7.50), What The Fish! ($8), Crispy Pork Belly ($8), and Ayam Buah Keluak ($8)

If you have a sweet tooth, Hambaobao offers an array of homemade pastries – such as the Apom Berkuah ($5), a modern take on a traditional Peranakan dessert.

Location: 11 Sam Leong Rd, #03-08 Trio Building, Singapore 207903

Nearest MRT:  Jalan Besar station

Opening Hours: 12 p.m.  –  9 p.m. (Closed on Mondays)

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