Stunningly good 𝗞𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘂 𝗦𝗲𝘁 for just $15.80, way below market rate at similar-quality restaurants. The catch is that they are a hawker stall. This hidden gem is relatively new but has a deep history — the chef actually headed Ginza Bairin at ION, now defunct but used to be my go-to for tonkatsu.

It's easy to fall in love with their signature katsu, seducing with titillatingly orange robes of ragged ridges. They let out the most melodious of crackles as your incisors clamp down on the airy pockets between the crispy panko debris. Once through, you're greeted by a tender but assertive recoil that is just sublime.

Possibly the best value for money you can get for tonkatsu around SG, along with Hajime. Its ensemble of Japanese rice, tonkatsu sauce, mustard, and miso soup even trumps that of stalwarts like Tonkichi. Of course, don't expect a culinary revelation for $15 but this is a stall that punches significantly above their price point.

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Honestly, the $4.50 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗱𝗮 done in collaboration with local craft beer brewers @brewlander was the biggest surprise hit with its delightfully crisp floral profile.

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Their eponymous 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗹𝘂𝘁 ($11) was perhaps the biggest disappointment — perplexingly grainy potato puree really hampered the silkiness of the eggs and the paper-thin toast crackle.

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If there was one downfall to Eggslut, it was in their precarious mismanagement in balancing flavours.The 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻, 𝗘𝗴𝗴 & 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗲 ($12) was a promising ensemble with heady doses of bacon smokiness but a superfluous flood of ketchup obscured most of the other ingredients in the mix.

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Another over-hyped international brand opening to big fanfare but can't live up to the billing... Is what I'd like to say but as flawed as Eggslut was, I'd say I was surprised that it exceeded my (admittedly low) expectations and provided tons of salacious egg porn.

In principle, I find it slightly suspect to have to shell out such sums for egg sandwiches, all while also queueing 1 hour for it. But with the queues dying it's worth going for the novelty and to judge for yourself — I actually think they nailed many areas of texture in their burgers.

For one, I thought the 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗳𝗮𝘅's ($12) titillating mound of messy scrambled eggs was soft and silky while the buns were dreamily fluffy and cloud-like. In consideration of their add-on 𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘆 ($4), as much as it was juicy, it also severely lacked the flavour to justify the price tag.

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A hidden gem opened by an ex-Crystal-Jade chef — expect comfort food with the heartiest flavours at this stall tucked away atop Bishan Bus Interchange. Oh, and expect super affordable prices too.

You can't pass on their 𝗣𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘇𝗲𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗲 ($6). Delicate and silky parcels engorged with flavoursome meaty goodness, then bathed in a crimson pool of vinegar-laden sauce that delivers a satisfying spice kick without being overpowering.

It's simple but soul stirring with its efficacious medley of flavours — a choice you won't regret at its price point, comparable to offerings at iconic institutions such as DTF. Sometimes, it's the stripped-down indulgences that really hit the spot the hardest.

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For those on the hunt for the best burger in Singapore, this will be one of the perennial favourites on many discerning burger aficionados' lists. I also number among their legion of diehard fans.

My first few experiences of their 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 ($25) elicited bursts of euphoria as my incisors sliced through those cloud-like brioche buns and immaculately mixed beef patty, flooding the palate with the most gratifying beefy bliss. On my last takeaway venture, I realised there was a change in recipe.

With the inclusion of feisty acidity from IPA-pickled onions, there was an intriguing flavour chemistry with the shio kombu mayo that was familiarly Big Mac. Do I like this luxe Big Mac as much as the traditional cheese burger rendition? Perhaps less, but it's definitely still a top top burger that managed to miraculously stay juicy and umarred from journeying home.

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You can get $9.90 Wagyu katsu sando from the basement of Paragon. Ok not quite — a Gyu Sando features 1 seamless cut of meat for that sensual tender bite but this variation uses a patty. For $9.90, you get a 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝘆𝘂 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘂 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 with 1 side.

Is it worse off with the patty though? Personally, I think it's just different. You still get the robust bovine flavours but the texture just became a more rugged medley of beef punctuated with gentle scores of fat. While less smooth, this different texture actually melded into the rubble of katsu crust quite well.

Overall, it was a hearty ensemble of textures and flavours when finished with a piquant tonkatsu sauce and nice thin slices of bread. That said, the bread could be toasted better as I recall crispier bread on my last visit, and the patty's textures were a bit more inconsistent this time. But if you're looking for a solid beefy time, you can't go wrong with this interesting Gyu-Sando-Burger hybrid for an affordable price of $9.90.

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This is also their pilot for a drinks programme, featuring an interesting hand-pressed coffee mechanism that extracts with a unique contraption. Being a fan of 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗮 ($7.50), I took the plunge and while I didn't get too strong of espresso notes, the crisp grassy umami notes of the Uji Matcha imported from Japan were so enchanting — quite different from your usual matcha.

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If you're looking for 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 ($6.50) in the area, you'd know the other legendary bakery is in the same building. As far as comparisons go, these fudgy babies felt richer, though that decadent chocolate does mildly obscure the fillings in the overall profile.

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Admire that sexy emerald ooze on these hefty Levain 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘃𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 ($6.50) from Whiskdom. These were my favourite item from my recent visit to their spanking new outlet at Havelock II.

Biting into the cookie, you're welcomed by a thundering crackle, but as the teeth sink deeper you realise the insides were a sensual mix of soft chewiness and rich molten matcha. It's a bit sweet but there was a decent whiff of earthy notes to keep it from being too cloying.

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Una Una is well know for having the cheapest 𝗨𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶 in SG, with their half portion coming in at just $9.80, regular at $14.80, and double at $19.80. So does the price affect the quality?

Obviously, it can't match up to the likes of Man Man but it's also almost half the price. In the face of affordability, I can't complain — this is a solid option. Those scarlet chunks of eel were grilled to a nice tenderness with a touch of char, while sporting a glistening glaze that bestowed richness and depth without being turning cloying.

Alas, I did find the rice somewhat mushy, however that's not a huge complaint. Especially since my favourite mode of eating involves dousing it all in dashi broth, sprinkled with some spring onions and wasabi. This way results in a crisp profile while softening some of the glaze so you can get a more natural taste of the eel.

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