There has been a spate of Michelin Bib Gourmand hawker recipients expanding beyond their home bases and setting up shop across Singapore. Good for them – and good for us to be able to get a taste of their revered recipes closer to home! One of these growing hawker businesses is Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, which recently opened its third outpost in Tampines Street 81.
Duo Chicken Rice ($5 – $6)
You’ve heard of 100-year old recipes passed down for generations, but what about 100-year old sourdough starters? Goldenroy’s San Francisco Sourdough Pizza is a takeaway kiosk whose claim to fame is American-style sourdough pizzas, the base of which is made from a 48-hour aged sourdough starter that is itself an heirloom strain aged over 100 years old!
Update March 2023: Ramen King has moved to Canberra Plaza.
Japanese cuisine aficionados who fondly remember Hokkaido Ramen Santouka as the go-to place for authentic ramen, rejoice, for you can now indulge in the same goods at a fraction of the price. Ramen King, a hawker-based venture by ex-Santouka cooks, has set up shop at Tampines Street 81, bringing its mouthwatering recipe to the heartlands. (Double yay for this Eastie!)
Update 19 Jan 2025: Ishiro Rice Bowl Bedok has closed. Visit their other outlet at Timbre+ one-north.
These days when I find myself too busy to dip out for my daily lunch run, I find myself scrolling through food delivery apps to discover new eating spots. Ishiro Rice Bowl is one such eatery I stumbled upon when looking for a quick fix for my cravings for Japanese food.
With multiple outlets scattered across Singapore, Ishiro Rice Bowl has become well-known for its affordable Japanese-style rice bowls with runny onsen eggs and bold flavours. Upscaled, yet wallet-friendly Yoshinoya is how I would describe their delicious bowls!
Tipsy Penguin can be described as somewhat of a hidden gem in central Tampines. Since its opening some three years ago, it has been huddled between two bustling commercial centers, Our Tampines Hub and the trio of shopping malls around Tampines MRT station. Until the recent hiatus on live performances, Tipsy Penguin has served as a robust gathering place for residents and workers alike in the east.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Little Rogue Coffee has moved to Yong Siak Street.
Tanjong Katong has become somewhat one of Singapore’s meccas for cafe-hopping, with hipster hangout spots and coffee joints aplenty. And with dine-in restrictions easing *once more*, there’s no better time to head out and explore than now!
Little Rogue Coffee is a Melbourne-inspired cafe that recently opened its doors on Tanjong Katong Road. Helmed by a husband-and-wife team, the cafe took inspiration for its name from the cheeky and playful nature of the owners’ children. You can apparently even donate or exchange books at the cafe’s community library!
Tampines’ cafe and desserts scene just got a little busier – hooray! – with the arrival of Around Cafe’s second outpost in the east. Occupying a gorgeous glasshouse outside The Alps, a condominium situated a bus ride away from Tampines West MRT Station, Around Cafe is fast becoming a crowd favourite with its light-filled vicinity and overseas cafe vibes.
Chue On It 