Zi Char

This humble eatery at the bottom of a HDB block in Ang Mo Kio is always packed on the weekends with families happily tucking in, and with good reason. You'll understand why, once you try their signature dishes - Deep Fried Prawn Ball With Pumpkin & Butter Sauce, Black Currant Sauce Pork Ribs, and Dong Po Pork Belly. With pleasant service and honest, good food, you'll be back.

Set on the buzzing Keong Saik St, Kok Sen is easy to overlook as just another coffeeshop. Expect amazing Claypot Yong Tau Fu, Big Prawn Bee Hoon, and Black Pepper Beef with Bitter Gourd. This is one of those places you bring your parents to for a nice dinner, even though it's a humble little restaurant. Be prepared for slightly higher prices, it's totally worth it though!

Famous for their Chao Tar (Burnt) Bee Hoon, this is a great spot in a central area for a midnight snack. Share the nicely browned and flattened bee hoon topped with crunchy lard and brimming with wok hei, along with the Seafood Toufu and Baby Bok Choy. If you're up for something spicy, go for the Hot & Sour Soup Thai Style. Look out for the Shing Boon Hwa Food Centre sign across from Sim Lim Tower.

Not only do they serve standard zi char items, New Ubin also dabbles in Angus steak and German pork trotters. The famous steak (reasonable at $10 per 100g) comes with potato wedges, caramalized onions and amazing, heart-stopping fried rice cooked in the beef fat. Their standout zi char dishes include the Salted Egg Squid, Har Cheong Gai, and of course, crab!

At this Teochew muay style coffee shop, loyal patrons swear by the decievingly simple dishes of salted egg bitter gourd, and the steamed mince pork with salted fish. Also known for super fresh steamed fish, you'd be really missing out if you didn't order one for the table.

Determined to serve dishes that are unique and reasonably priced, Siang Hee doesn't fail to please. After relocating from its famous Zion Road premises to Serangoon Gardens, the standard is still high, attracting locals by the dozen. Order the signature Tempura Prawns in Spicy Pumpkin Cream, and the super crispy Pork Knuckles that are first pressure-cooked then deep fried..

Only open from 5-10pm, this 45 year old zi char restaurant is known for its low prices and hearty homestyle dishes. Occupying the entire coffeeshop come dinnertime, be prepared to wait for your dishes as the space fills up. The signature dishes include Claypot Grouper Fish Head with Vegetables, and the Stir Fried Prawns and Asparagus.

In this vibrant Geylang back alley, dig into pan fried and flatted bee hoon, satisfying in its simplicity and wok hei. The Salted Egg Prawns are a hit as well, served with crispy corn kernels. If you're in the mood for crab, their White Pepper Crab won't disappoint with super fresh crab and pepper sauce that packs a good punch. Dinner's definitely not a bore here!

KEK is one of those rare zi char places with friendly and prompt service. Go for the unique Claypot Pig Liver with rich liver sauce for liver lovers, and the Claypot Drunken Prawns in lovely herbal soup. The star dishes here are their Moonlight Horfun with raw egg, and their Salted Egg Crab! There are both outdoor and indoor seating, call ahead for reservations!

"Eat full first", newly opened by one of the sons of the famed Sik Wai Sin, is an air conditioned version on the same street. This joint serves only 13 dishes, with popular ones from his family's restaurant making an appearance. Go for the Steamed Fish Head, Sweet and Sour Pork, and Black Chicken Soup. Expect the dishes to be pricy, but they're truly worth it!

At this humble spot along Casuarina, you might just find some of the best crabs (at a really reasonable price) in Singapore. Butter crab, chili crab, pepper crab - take your pick. Also order the Hot Plate Beancurd and the La-la! Great for a satisfying meal with a bunch of friends you haven't seen in a while.