Jalan Besar is known to many as an area bustling with activities even in the wee hours of the morning. Now that this area has an MRT station to call its own, its eateries are more accessible than ever.
Cafes are aplenty in the Jalan Besar area, but that’s another story for another day. There is also an abundance of restaurants and eateries where you can get your fill of food at affordable prices.
Here are 10 places in Jalan Besar where you can dine at wallet-friendly prices.
1. Cheng Mun Chee Kee Pig’s Organ Soup
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Starting the list off with one of our favourite comfort food is Cheng Mun Chee Kee. Popular with avid lovers of Pig’s Organ Soup, this well-known stall operates in Jalan Besar. It continues to provide regulars with comforting bowls of Zhu Zha Tang.
The light soup is perfect for when the weather is cold and you need something to warm you up from the inside. To accompany your Pig’s Organ Soup (regular – $4, Large – $6), you can also get classic dishes like Black Vinegar Pig Trotters ($6), and Steam Minced Meat with Chestnut ($2).
Cheng Mun Chee Kee Pig’s Organ Soup: 24 Foch Road, Singapore 209263 | Opening Hours: 9am – 5am (Tues – Sat), 9am – 12am (Sun), Closed on Monday | Tel: +65 6297 5068
Rice bowls have been widely popular in recent months, and Don brings its take on rice bowls to the Jalan Besar area.
You’ll get great value by eating from this stall, as they give you high-quality dons at wallet-friendly prices.
One of their signatures, the Kyudai Don ($28.90) is packed with high-quality Wagyu Beef, Mentaiko Salmon, Sio Bak, Dak Gang Jeong, Salted Egg Tempura and Garlic Parmesan Chicken. Perfect for sharing and trying everything in one bowl.
Don: #01-02 30 Foch Road, Singapore 209276 | Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Daily) | Facebook
Of course, we can’t possibly leave out this highly raved about Laksa stall out of the list. Sungei Road Laksa is regularly patronised by both locals and foreigners. This means you’ll probably be greeted by a queue when you visit.
This is the place to go if you want to have laksa cooked in a charcoal stove, the traditional way. It’s also fantastic if you’re just looking to try the laksa ($3), as the portions are somewhat small.
Every small bowl comes with a generous portion of fresh cockles, so you know you’re guaranteed the best value for money.
Sungei Road Laksa: #01-100 Block 27 Jalan Berseh, Singapore 200027 | Opening Hours: 9:30am – 5pm (Daily), Closed On Wednesdays
3. Da Lian Traditional Noodle
To get your fishball noodle fix, head down to Da Lian Traditional Noodle. This trusty noodle stall serves up hearty portions of noodles with high-quality fishballs.
Word on the street is if it bounces it’s a good fish ball. We tested it out so you don’t have to, and they do bounce.
The Bak Chor Mee ($4) comes with a couple of their springy fishballs, a generous helping of minced meat, and savoury meatballs. Though nothing special, it’s just really good noodles.
Da Lian Traditional Noodle: 01-03 216G, Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207799 | Open 24/7 | Tel: +65 6396 3345
Dim Sum Haus is the place to go to if you want to try quirky dim sum items at affordable prices. They have items such as Japanese Dumplings and Charcoal Siew Mai which sets it apart from other dim sum stalls in town.
A must try when you’re there is the Crispy Mee Sua Kueh with Chinese Sausages (3 pieces, $3.60). It features perfectly pan fried mee sua perfumed by the fragrant Chinese sausages.
For dessert, go for the Baked Salted Egg Custard Bun (3 pieces, $4.80), which has rich flowy custard encased in a crusty, pastry-like casing.
Dim Sum Haus: 57 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208809 | Opening Hours: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm (Tues – Fri), 10.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm (Sat, Sun), Closed on Mon | Facebook
5. The Dim Sum Place
Another Dim Sum gem you can find at Jalan Besar is The Dim Sum Place, which is halal certified, so it’s somewhere you can bring your Muslim friends to. It can get pretty crowded, so be prepared to wait when you arrive.
They cover all their bases in terms of classic dim sum dishes, such as Pan-Fried Carrot Cake ($2.90 for three pieces) and Braised Duck Cha Shu Bao ($3.90 for three pieces). I especially liked their Molten Salted Egg Custard Bun ($4.90 for three buns) which came with ooey gooey lava in a soft bun.
Their food may not be the cheapest, but it’s still pretty good value for money.
The Dim Sum Place: 791 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198759 | Opening Hours: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 5am (Fri, Sat) | Tel: +65 6655 8787 | Facebook
6. The Ramen Stall
Another Muslim-friendly option in the area is The Ramen Stall, situated across the road from The Dim Sum Place. Instead of using pork broth as the base for their noodles, they use chicken broth which gives the ramen a sweeter flavour without being any less rich.
Their Chicken Cha-Shu Ramen ($11) comes with the usual toppings of Menma bamboo shoots and chicken char siew. Their chicken char siew looks and tastes deceivingly similar to the pork ones so you won’t be missing out on flavours when you dine there.
The Ramen Stall: 787 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198755 | Opening Hours: 5pm – 5am (Mon – Fri), 12pm – 5am (Sat), 12pm – 12am (Sun) | Website | Facebook
Jalan Besar is also home to up and coming eateries such as alittle tashi, which spice up the food scene. This restaurant is known for reinventing Asian cuisine in creative ways which will get your taste buds interested, for sure.
Luckily for us, they have a Laundry Menu, consisting of dishes in smaller sizes. That means you and your dining companions can enjoy a greater variety without feeling too full.
A dish well worth trying is the Blood Cockles ($14) with chilli jam, fish caramel sauce, and crispy pork fat. alittle tashi is a fantastic option to consider if you want to hold a family outing at a less conventional Chinese restaurant.
alittle tashi: 39 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207538 | Tel: +65 9757 3680 | Opening hours:6pm – 12am (Tues to Sun), Closed on Mondays | Website | Facebook | Instagram
8. Scissors Cut Curry Rice
This famous curry rice is well-known amongst locals for serving up delicious curry rice at affordable prices. While there are outlets in other parts of Singapore, the Scissors Cut Curry Rice in Jalan Besar is the OG outlet, so it makes our list.
Dress up your curry rice up with various fried meats and vegetables, which are imbued with a taste we’re all familiar with. I’m personally a fan of getting my curry rice with their braised pork, which lends a nice sweetness to the rice.
Expected Damage: $5 -$10 per pax
Scissors Cut Curry Rice: 229 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208905 | Opening Hours: 11am – 3.30am (Daily) | Tel: +65 9826 1464
9. Dajie Famous Wanton Mee
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This wanton stall is one of the many “old but gold” gems found on our little island. I’m not a huge fan of wanton mee, but I have to say that I find myself wanting to return to Dajie Famous Wanton Mee as their noodles are super comforting.
Other than Wanton Mee ($3), Dajie’s also sells tender braised Chicken Feet with Mushroom ($5). And if you’re not in the mood for wanton you can always opt for their Chicken Feet Noodle ($3).
Or if you’re indecisive like I am, go for the Wanton Noodle Dry with Chicken Feet ($3) which is super value for money and puts a skip in my step.
Dajie Wanton Mee: 209 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208895 | Opening Hours: 6am – 2pm (Tues – Sat), Closed on Sun, Mon | Tel: +65 9667 0087 | Facebook
Qi Ji is a local brand we’re all more or less familiar with, as it’s often our go to for a hearty bowl of Laksa or Mee Siam. Their Qpot ($14.90) concept takes it a step further by offering both broths as hot pot bases.
What you’ll end up with is a levelled up Laksa or Mee Siam with all your favourite ingredients. The best part is, the recipes have been modified to make you feel less guilty after the meal, without compromising on the flavours.
Qi Ji Qpot: 193 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208883 | Opening hours: 11am – 3am (Daily) | Website
While there’s nothing wrong with dining in Swee Choon and Komala’s when you’re in the Jalan Besar district, you have so many other options. So, set forth and explore the Jalan Besar area and get a taste of the vibrant food scene.
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