Recommended Local Food Fanfare - Tiong Bahru Edition

$36.80++ per person so really it was $43 but I think it was worth it. You got good quality sashimi slices, sushi and Japanese dishes - you can eat as much as you like! I think I devoured about 10 slices of raw salmon and it was delicious! The only thing I would say about this place was that the service was a bit slow but overall, great value for money

I loved the vibe of the place and ofc the bread😉 The Kouginn Amann ($3.50) was very crispy and sweet. Also, yea try it w the jam too hehe. Mushroom&brie ($8.50) was alright. It's better to just order normal bread rather than a sandwich. The latte ($5.50) was not so good, but I will definitely come back to this place cuz of the Kouginn Amann and all the other bread that I couldn't try!

Quite impressed with their menu. I think their offerrings are more interesting and inventive than most cafes, which is commendable given that everything gluten free and dairy free. We had the King Crab Benedict and Mountain Yam Rosti. Both lovely. I actually distinctly remember enjoying the gluten free bread that came with the benedict. It had a nice chewiness to it, and was great for mopping up the hollandaise and egg yolk.

The area may be known for the lauded 178 Lor Mee that comes with fried shark meat, but most of the Tastemakers actually prefer the Lor Mee ($3) from this stall. Tastemaker Justin Teo likes that the ingredients are more flavourful here in comparison, especially the pork belly, which he describes to be sweet and well marinated. Add on extra for $1! The gravy too is a winner — flavourful and not just full of corn starch. Tastemaker Justin heard that the chilli at the stall is great, and plans to return soon to try. We would love to, too!
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Justin Teo

A recipient of the Michelin's Bib Gourmand this year and last, this Hainanese chicken rice stall is one of Tastemaker Julius Lim's favourites, and in his opinion, the star in the humble plate of Chicken Rice (from $3) is undeniably the rice. He deems it to be one of the most aromatic versions one can find in Singapore (and not overly oily); to him, the rice shines so brightly that it risks overshadowing the chicken, which itself is cooked beautifully, sliced into thick, moist and tender pieces. Apart from the usual condiments of dark soy sauce, chilli and ginger, the dish also comes with a small portion of preserved vegetables, so good for an extra shot of umami!
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim

"Meticulously grilled to crispy perfection and stuffed generously with crunchy bean sprouts and sliced cucumber, Tiong Bahru Market’s Tow Kwar Pop makes for the perfect snack in between meals," says Tastemaker Vanessa Kou. And she's right. At this stall, the beancurd puff is painstakingly grilled over charcoal. Choose to get a few pieces of the tow kwar pop tossed with some fresh fruit for $3, or go for the full rojak set for $4 or $5. Tastemaker Jean Kao loves that they use sweeter red apples in the mix, compared to the tart green apples most rojak stalls prefer, along with thin and crispy crackers that add a lovely crunch. While Tastemaker Jean wishes the owner had been more generous with the prawn paste sauce, Tastemaker Vanessa appreciates that it doesn't overpower the dish, so you can taste how all the ingredients come together.
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Jean Kao

Min Nan is the stall to go to for stellar prawn noodles. According to both Tastemakers Vanessa Kou and Julius Lim, the broth here is on the lighter side and not quite packed with robust, punchy flavours as one might expect, so opt for the Pork Rib Prawn Noodle Dry (from $4.50), which sees the noodles tossed in pork lard and fried shallots — shiok! The noodles have Tastemaker Vanessa's vote of confidence. A mix of rice vermicelli and yellow noodles, they were cooked "just right – firm, not soggy or undercooked". The pork ribs are also spot-on tender and meaty, adding to a very humble but hearty bowl.
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Vanessa Kou