Cheap and Good Food for Groups in Singapore

Eating at this unassuming prawn mee stall in Geylang Bahru Market and Food Centre is the kind of experience that will leave a lasting impression on you and your friends. The signboard only speaks of prawn mee and pig innards soup, but you should look for the owner, Richard, and ask for the Prawn and Seafood Hot Pot ($50 for two pax, $60 for four and $80 for six). Like most hawker centres, the seats here are fixed so its best to occupy a table for four, and you can share one pot ($60) comfortably. Expect fresh prawns, clams, pig intestines, pig tails, pork ribs and crabs bubbling away in a naturally sweetened prawn broth. The best part is — Richard allows you to bring your own vegetables! Add cabbage and mushrooms to the mix, and if you like, he recommends shabu meat to swish in the broth. The service is impeccable and there's free flow of soup and carbs for the ravenous — choose from white rice, yellow noodles, bee hoon or kway teow. 
It can get really warm eating this in a hawker centre, but it's truly well worth the sweat.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Raine Liu

Groups can stuff themselves on the cheap at this Okonomiyaki and Teppanyaki restaurant located in the heart of Little India. The key to Seiwaa’s success? Consistently tasty, authentic Japanese food that is priced affordably, plus a lively, casual environment equals a restaurant that no one can argue with. Order the Monjyayaki ($14 for seafood, add $3 for cheese), a pan-fried batter that is largely similar to Okonomiyaki, but wetter and a whole lot more fun to eat. The base of shredded cabbage is fried with your choice of protein, then spread thin on the grill to cook to crisp. A small ditch is made in the middle of the mixture, and a thick, saucy glaze is poured and mixed in. Up till here, the staff cooks everything for you, but once it’s done, you and your friends will have to scrape and eat directly off the grill with tiny metal spoons — a fun and definitely memorable experience for everyone! The pan-grilled Giant Squid ($15) is also worth ordering, Burpple Tastemaker Celest Lim describes it as “fresh and succulent, perfect with the side dip of mayonnaise and a sprinkle of chilli powder”.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Wei Zhi Chiang

What The Rawr Kitchen lacks in decor, it makes up for in generous table space and its excellent food. This no-frills restaurant-cum-microbrewery in an industrial part of Bukit Batok serves comforting pastas and award-winning beers by On Tap Brewery — perfect for a large group to enjoy a boozy weekend. The menu boasts simple and homely dishes at its best — unbelievably tasty Bolognese ($11) that features al dente linguine topped with beef that has been slow-cooked for four hours in a homemade tomato sauce. The brew list by On Tap Brewery is off the charts too — try the Wheat Beer ($8)(it won second place in the Asia Beer Medal Awards) and the crowd favourite alcoholic Root Beer ($11). If you intend to stay for long, go for the free flow Beer Buffet ($35) that gives you access to eleven beers for two hours. Complement your beers with the lip-smacking Deep Fried Pork Belly ($9), juicy chunks of pork belly with a melt-in-your-mouth fatty layer, a recipe handed down to the chef by his grandmother. 

Avg Price: $25 per person with drinks
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua

If you work around the Suntec area, there’s a chance you’ve walked by Kimchi Korean Restaurant a hundred times and always written it off as just another mediocre Korean restaurant. But you’re wrong. This is the perfect place — massive seating space that's chic and comfortable too — to kick back with some friends over some beers while going hard on some Dduk-Bok-ki (rice cake stews). If your group is made up seafood-lovers, order the Haemul Nakgi Dduk-Bok-Ki ($48.90)(seafood octopus in rice cake stew) that comes with a whole octopus (thankfully it’s not live). The massive tray of ingredients like luncheon ham, rice cakes, mussels and instant noodle may look little, but it feeds a hungry bunch of four very comfortably. Be sure to add the bonito flakes into the soup early on — it gives the soup an irresistibly umami flavour! Pro tip: Help yourself to the free flow of side-dishes — the delicious pickled radish helps to undo the spiciness of the soup!

Avg price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Hwans Lim

Do not - we repeat - do not come to Teru Sushi with your friends not expecting a wait. But it won’t be hard to convince your friends that it’s worth it — the affordably priced, plump and juicy Oysters ($1.50) are enough assurance. Alternatively, find a day where you and your friends end work early and head straight to Teru at Tiong Bahru (they open at 6pm) to snag a table. Start the meal with some melt-in-your-mouth Sashimi slices ($12) before moving on to the oysters. For some carbs, go for the Shiok Maki ($20). It is an Unagi sushi roll blanketed with mayo, before being torched for a nice smoky finish. As for heartier eats, know that the menu is full of classed up versions of Japanese classics everyone will love. To put it simply, this is a group dinner slam-dunk.
Avg price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Emily S

This humble coffeeshop tucked away in Bedok North doesn't get much attention, but it should. There’s ample space to accommodate a large group of friends, it’s air-conditioned and nothing on the menu is over $19 — perfect for that big bunch of friends you've been wanting to meet for ages. What you must order is the Confit De Canard ($12.90) — a slow roasted, well-marinated duck leg cooked in duck fat, topped with mashed potatoes, leek and cranberry sauce. The meat is tender and the duck skin is crispy — what more can you ask for? Share a Waffles ($4) with Ice Cream (from $3.80 for one scoop) for a sweet finish and wash it all down with a cup of coffee (from $1.50).
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo

This unassuming coffeeshop stall in Hougang serves decent zi char fare, but what you must come here for are their finger-licking good crabs. Indoor seating is limited and can get a little warm, so dress cool to sit alfresco with your group instead. The Sri Lankan crabs ($25 for three smaller crabs, $30 for two medium, $40 for two large) can be cooked in 16 different styles including chilli, black pepper and cereal oats. A major plus: the crabs can be cooked in separate sauces at additional cost, perfect for a big group situation — because no one is actually excited about sharing their crabs. For maximum enjoyment, go for the saucy options like Chilli and Salted Egg Sauce (additional $3) and order the Fried Mantous ($2 for six, $3 for nine and $4 for 12) to mop up all the juices and the gravy!

Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Dixon Chan

This ought to be the fail-safe solution for when Keng Eng Kee at Alexandra is fully booked. On any given weekday night, you would easily walk past Hong Kong Street Chun Kee without a thought — just another brightly lit, zi char spot in the Queenstown area. But come Sunday evenings, the entire coffeeshop is packed with regulars and residents staying nearby. Order any of the fourteen featured dishes plastered on top of the cooking area and you’ll be set for a satisfying dinner with your crew. The key to success here is a giant order of many things — of which the Signature ‘Sen Lao’ Hor Fun (from $6) that appears on every table in multiples is a must. The dish might look pale, but it packs a surprisingly strong and satisfying amount of wok hei. Other noteworthies include the well-executed Cereal Prawn (from $20) that features juicy, plump prawns buried in a heaping pile of moreish fried cereal bits. You’ll walk out stuffed and happy and not much poorer for it. 

Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See

Located within Rendezvous Gallery on the second floor, Shang Pin Hot Pot is a great place to refuel after a KTV session, especially since it opens till midnight daily. Just a five-minute walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT, Shang Pin is similar to Hai Di Lao in terms of concept and variety, but sports a simpler, more casual ambience and a much more affordable price tag. The restaurant can get crowded but thankfully does not have a crazy queue. Opt for the three soup bases ($16) and be sure to get the crowd favourite Tomato, Chicken and the hellishly potent Sichuan Spicy. Come early to snag some of the more popular ingredients like the Black Pork ($10), Shrimp Paste ($12) and the freshly pulled Kungfu noodles ($3). Pro tip: Make reservations if you can!

Avg Price: $30 per person
Photo by Burppler KX Chee

Alexandra’s favourite zi char restaurant, Keng Eng Kee Seafood, has opened an outlet in Pandan Gardens. While the restaurant might be a little too far West for your friends (it’s a 20-minute bus ride from Jurong East MRT Station), the well-executed, tasty food and ample seating space is enough to warrant a second visit. Wrangle a group to sit at a giant round table and over the signature Moonlight Hor Fun (from $6), tasty Marmite Chicken (from $10) and the crowd favourite Coffee Pork Ribs (from $15) to share. Those a little more adventurous can try the Wok Hei Burgers ($9) with locally inspired flavours like Salted Egg Chicken, Sambal Beef and Coffee Pork Burger. All burger sets come with fries on the side and a drink. Pro tip: It gets crowded on weekends so make reservations beforehand!
Avg price: $15 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua

Orchard is one of the more difficult places to try to dine affordably as a group. Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut, however, is a spicy glimmer of hope. Located on the first floor of Lucky Plaza, manoeuvre your way to this comfortable space away from the bustle for a simple yet satisfying meal. This restaurant chain from Indonesia is known for its Original Smash Fried Chicken with Rice ($7.90) and the Original Crispy Fried Duck with Rice ($9.90). These individual sets come with rice, tofu, tempeh and salad on the side, so no sharing is necessary. Marinated in a savoury blend of secret spices, the meats are tasty and very crisp on the outside. For something a little different, try the Crispy Fried Duck in Green Chili with Rice ($9.90). Otherwise, feel free to choose your own adventure, — it’ll be great no matter what.

Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Jayne Tan

Previously at Guillemard Road, Char has relocated to Jalan Besar just opposite from Kok Kee Wanton Mee. Occupying the first and second level of the Singapore Lee Clan General Association, this industrial chic restaurant dishes out quality Hong Kong-style roasts in air-conditioned comfort. If you fancy, bring a bottle of wine to share (corkage is only $25). Budget 100g of melt-in-your-mouth, super fatty Special Char Siew ($7/100g, minimum order of 300g) for each person in your party and be sure to pre-order your roasts while making a reservation to ensure you get your share before they sell out! The wok hei-ladened Beef Hor Fun ($12) and the Salted Fish and Chicken Fried Rice ($11) are great for sharing — portions are big and pair well with the roasts. If your group of friends or family gets particularly loud, opt to sit on the second floor — it’s almost like having a private room at no extra cost and you can have whole thing, well…not have, but, like, borrow for the night.
Avg Price: $16 per person
Photo by Burppler Titus Phoon