What a time to be a burger lover in Singapore. Five Guys, the American fast casual chain known for its customisable burgers and milkshakes, has finally landed in Singapore. With its first store at Plaza Singapura in Dhoby Ghaut, it’s safe to say that the ultimate three-way between Fatburger, Shake Shack, and now Five Guys to be the top American burger restaurant in Singapore has kicked off!

Named for the founding couple’s five sons, Five Guys’ specialty lies not in a five-man staff (ha ha), but in its fully customisable burgers and shakes. In a time where DIY and personalised customer experiences are all the rage, Five Guys certainly nails it when it comes to delivering what diners really want, minus all the icky greens if they so wish.

And get this: all burger toppings and milkshake mix-ins are FREE!

While Five Guys sold a whopping 1,000 burgers on opening day, the queue pre-opening on Christmas Eve when I visited was pretty tame; I had expected a substantial crowd to have already formed. This changed drastically around half an hour later, when the queue had swelled significantly. Well, if there’s one thing us Singaporeans can credit ourselves for, it’s definitely queueing for the latest craze.

And thanks to the eatery still being in its opening phase, expect a fanfare of enthusiastic staff clapping and cheering your way in as you make your way past the sliding doors and into the winding queue.

Here’s how it works: pick your burger and your toppings, decide whether you want to add fries and a beverage, and make your way to the nearest unoccupied table. You can even scoop up some peanuts (all on the house) to much on while waiting, though it won’t be too long before you find yourself picking up that coveted paper bag containing your freshly cooked goods. Fun fact: pretty much the entire menu is fried using peanut oil.

Prices are definitely on the steep side, with burgers costing upwards of $11. You do get your choice of free toppings, though – however and how many you want. An upgrade from a little burger to a full burger costs just $2.

Fries ($7 – $11) are available in Five Guys or Cajun Style, and diners can have their pick of little, regular, or large portions. The classic salted Five Guys-style fries are intensely flavoured, with a crusty outer layer and a warm, fluffy middle full of potato-ey goodness. A hint of umami completes the experience, leaving you reaching back into the paper cup for more. Good thing there’s an extra scoop of fries tossed in!

The Milkshakes ($10) are the most expensive beverage on the menu, but for all the hype I got at the counter, this was a let down for me. Like the burgers, Five Guys’ milkshakes are fully customisable, allowing diners to mix in whatever ingredient they wish to make the ultimate milkshake of their dreams.

While my recommended mix of Oreo Cookie Pieces, Salted Caramel, and Bacon was decadently tasty, with the bits of bacon lending extra crunch to the concoction, I just wish it wasn’t so watery. Save yourself the trouble and order an extra burger with the $10.

Moment of truth: the burgers. While I was originally gunning for the Cheeseburger, the affable cashier really sold the Bacon Cheeseburger ($15) to me. And boy, were there no regrets at all!

Priced the same as the ordinary Cheeseburger, the Bacon Cheeseburger is a decadent stack of melt-in-your-mouth beef patties, separated by a layer of gooey melted cheese, and laid atop a lone piece of crispy bacon. While the bun was nothing to shout about, I found myself tearing into ’em patties as though it were my first meal in three days. The secret to a great patty lies in its moistness, and Five Guys has certainly hit the home run with this recipe.

As for toppings, you can’t go wrong with the “All The Way” combo, which combines mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, and mustard to make for one helluva messy burger. No complaints tho, as each element complimented the other to make for an enjoyable taste fest!

Five Guys, welcome to Singapore. Can’t wait to test other permutations of burger toppings next time I’m there!

Address: Plaza Singapura 01-23
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Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut NS24/NE6/CC1
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm daily 
Contact: +65 6976 4385

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