KEK Keng Eng Kee Seafood (Alexandra)
For Consistently Good Zi Char
From hawker stall to full-fledged restaurant, Keng Eng Kee Seafood has come a long way since it started in 1975. The foolproof Moonlight Hor Fun (from $6) is what to come for, but Burpplers also enjoy the Coffee Ribs (from $8) and the Salted Egg Sotong (from $18).
Two Chefs Eating Place (Commonwealth)
For One-Of-A-Kind Butter Pork Ribs
No-frills zi char spot Two Chefs is so popular that having a reservation doesn’t guarantee immediate seating. But if the great reviews are anything to go by, the wait will prove worthwhile. Consider this #Burpproved five-course meal for your next group dinner: the tender, one-of-a-kind Butter Pork Ribs (from $8) coated in condensed milk powder, sweet, garlicky Drunken Cockles ($7.90), silky Homemade Tofu with Golden Mushrooms (from $8), comforting Three Eggs Spinach (from $8) and the XO San Lou Hor Fun (from $7) with full-on wok hei.
Kok Sen Restaurant
For Hearty Zi Char in the CBD
Nestled within the shophouses along Keong Saik Road, this coffeeshop-style eatery is your best bet for an after-work group dinner. Get the Claypot Yong Tau Foo (from $15), which sees beancurd and eggplant stuffed with seafood for a firm, flavour-packed bite. Also not to be missed is the luscious Big Prawns Hor Fun (from $18). Don’t be put off by the steeper prices — the premium ingredients and great flavours are well worth paying for.
JB Ah Meng
For Addictive Burnt Bee Hoon
Think JB Ah Meng and the JB San Lou Mee Hoon (from $7) aka chao ta (burnt) beehoon comes to mind. Crispy on the top and moist in the middle, this press-fried vermicelli exudes wok hei with every bite. While you may be tempted to order the largest portion, Burppler Blueskies Cottonclouds recommends going with several plates of the smaller portion, which yields better crisp and char. Other bestsellers include the plump and juicy Fried Garlic Chilli Clams (from $16) and the piquant White Pepper Crab (seasonal price).
Jin Hock Seafood
For Tasty and Innovative Zi Char Fare
With four branches across the island, there’s no doubt that stalwart Jin Hock Seafood whips up delicious zi char nosh. We like that they take a creative license on classics. The Lala Double Flavoured Hor Fun (from $15), for instance, tops smooth hor fun in clam gravy with deep-fried hor fun strips for extra crunch. For sides, make sure to get the Burpple community’s favourite Deep Fried Minced Pork with Garlic (from $12) — tender, garlicky and so very addictive.
Mellvin Seafood Restaurant
For Unique, Supper-Worthy Zi Char
Housed in a coffeeshop where Da Dong Prawn Noodles operates by day, Mellvin Seafood Restaurant takes the limelight when night falls. Here’s where to bring the buddies for a late night supper sesh. The dishes are quite unlike the usual — think double-fried XO Mixed Vegetables (from $10) and Indonesian Prawns in Claypot (from $16) with a super lemak, spicy gravy! The Salted Egg Bittergourd (from $10) and Fried Pork Belly (from $10) also make it into our list of must-orders.
Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood
For Seriously Good Chilli Crab
Run by second-generation restaurateurs, this Upper Thomson locale has built a name for its seafood — particularly its Chilli Crab ($60/kg). Despite being slicked in a rich gravy, which you’ll want to mop up with deep-fried mantou, the natural sweetness of the crab still comes through distinctly. Burpplers also have high praises for their crispy Har Cheong Gai (from $8) redolent of punchy prawn paste. An average queue time of 30 minutes is expected, so come with patient, crab-loving friends.
Penang Seafood Restaurant
For Big on Flavour Penang Zi Char
They’ve moved into cosier, air-conditioned digs in Aljunied, but we’re happy to report that our favourite Penang joint has kept food standards up and prices low! The must-order Penang Fried Kway Teow (from $5) is chock full of cockles, lup cheong AND gleaming pork lard — definitely not for the faint-hearted. Burpplers also love the Lala Hokkien Mee (from $8) for its light yet umami broth. While you’re here, go all out and get the moreish Fermented Pork Belly (from $12) to share too.
Kai Xiang Seafood Restaurant
For Value for Money Zi Char in the West
Located five minutes away from Chinese Garden MRT, west side Kai Xiang cooks up stellar dishes for quick zi char dinners. According to Burppler Russell Leong, the fluffy Oyster Omelette (from $10) is cooked only with eggs (no starch) and then topped with “fresh, full-sized and joyfully juicy oysters” — we’d gladly have this as a meal on its own! Other favourites include Sweet and Sour Pork (from $8) and the supersized Hei Zho (homemade prawn roll, from $8).
Zai Shun Curry Fish Head
For Fresh and Succulent Steamed Fish
For an offbeat spot to bring your zi char-loving business partner or colleagues for lunch, consider Zai Shun. The Steamed Fish (seasonal price) is always fresh, and you can opt for Teochew porridge instead of rice to keep lunch on the lighter side. Burpplers recommend getting the simple but well done Bitter Gourd Fried Egg ($10) and the very fragrant and tasty Hae Bee Hiam ($12).
Segar Restaurant
For Halal Zi Char
For zi char sans pork and lard, count on Segar’s variety of tasty dishes. The menu isn’t extensive, but there’s still something for everyone — tangy Claypot Tom Yum Mee Soup ($6) for solo diners, or sweet, crispy Segar Claypot Golden Chicken ($10.80) for two to share. If you’re here in a group, consider the Signature or Assam Curry Fish Head ($20), which comes with ample gravy to ladle over rice.
New Ubin Seafood (Hillview)
For Upscale, Fusion Zi Char
From their airy, dress-down vibes to their BYOB policy (no corkage!) and refined fusion fare, New Ubin offers a zi char experience like no other. Come prepared to splurge on the US Black Angus Ribeye Steak (from $84 for 600g). Not only is the beef grilled to a perfect medium rare, it comes with a side of their signature Heart Attack Fried Rice, cooked in beef fat for extra oomph. Also get the briny Smoked Pork Omelette (from $16) and smoke-kissed Boss Beehoon ($9) — every strand is deeply flavourful!
Where do you usually get your zi char fix? Share recommendations of your favourite zi char stalls in the app!
