Slider Image

What to try at The Food Place by Food Republic: BurgerLabo’s new stall, HK scrambled egg rice & more

Evan Mua | July 15, 2025

Those working in the CBD will know the day in, day out struggle of finding good eats that are convenient and yet, still affordable.

It’s always great news when you see a new opening in your area with plenty of food options, and City Hall folks would probably have been over the moon with the recent opening of The Food Place by Food Republic.

the food place by food republic
Food Republic takes over at The Food Place. Photo: Evan Mua/HungryGoWhere

The newly renovated food court is located at level three of Raffles City and sees Food Republic taking over from Food Junction, injecting it with a burst of fresh concepts.

This included tried-and-tested brands such as Kam’s Roast Express and Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo, as well as exciting new names such as Mon Kee Cafe and Smash by BurgerLabo.

the food place by food republic
Nicely done-up space with tasteful wooden accents. Photo: Evan Mua/HungryGoWhere

Alas, with twenty stalls at the 600-seater space, most people would be overwhelmed by the number of new food options — so which are the most worthy of your stomach space at The Food Place by Food Republic?

What to try at The Food Place by Food Republic

Smash by BurgerLabo

the food place by food republic
If you know your burgers, you’ll want a taste of this smashed burger from BurgerLabo. Photo: Evan Mua/HungryGoWhere

Burger connoisseurs will recognise the BurgerLabo name. Lauded by many foodies as one of the absolute best burger places in Singapore, Smash by BurgerLabo is the brand’s newest concept at The Food Place by Food Republic.

As the name suggests, Smash by BurgerLabo sees the brand trying out something new with smash burger patties, instead of their well-loved thick patties.

With prices from S$9.80, you get to chow down on well-seared and crusty smashed discs of grass-fed Aberdeen angus beef. We recommend getting the double smash burger (S$12.80), though.

You can also jazz your lunch up with fries for a S$4 top-up, or maybe opt for the chicken burger (S$11.80) that features a hulking sweet potato-flour battered fried chicken patty and a glut of pickled cucumber and salted cabbage.

LiXin Teochew Fish Noodles

the food place by food republic
The sambal is so shiok. Photo: Evan Mua/HungryGoWhere

Having been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand every year since 2022, this noodle stall would probably be a go-to for noods lovers at The Food Place by Food Republic.

Known for its 100% yellowtail fishballs that are made fresh each day, this old-school brand started in 1968 as a food cart and remains one of the most beloved fishball noodles brands these days.

What’s most interesting is that it has prepared a sambal mushroom meat dumpling noodles (S$7.70) exclusively for The Food Place by Food Republic.

Springy noodles and the most fragrant and sapid sambal mushroom concoction make this worth every slurp.

Mon Kee Cafe

the food place by food republic
Scrambled egg plus char siew makes for great food porn. Photo: Evan Mua/HungryGoWhere

If you’ve been following the news about The Food Place by Food Republic, you’ve probably come across Mon Kee Cafe, which has gotten quite a lot of love on social media.

Mon Kee Cafe is actually an established cha chaan teng brand from Hong Kong and this is its debut in Singapore.

There are many Hong Kong-style classics, including the macaroni with satay beef in cream of chicken (S$6), but most people online seem to be infatuated with the photogenic signature char siew scrambled egg rice with homemade sweet soy sauce (S$8.50).

We thought the char siew could do with a bit more flavour and the egg could be silkier, but it’s a decent alternative to homegrown scrambled egg rice brands such as Danlao and Kawan Bowl!

Ju Xing Fish

the food place by food republic
Ju Xing Home’s beloved sauerkraut fish — now available conveniently at a food court. Photo: Evan Mua/HungryGoWhere

Another Hong Kong brand that found its way onto The Food Place by Food Republic’s tenant line-up, Ju Xing Fish is the newest express concept of Ju Xing Home.

While Ju Xing Home already has a full-service restaurant located at the basement of Takashimaya, this is meant to be an express location for its popular sauerkraut fish

Customers get to choose between three soup bases (sauerkraut, mala or tomato) and two fish options (seabass fillet for $11.80 or premium crunchy grass carp fillet for S$13.80)

The sauerkraut base is brimming with acidity and packs a little more heat than usual — it’s great for rainy days or palates that generally prefer flavours on the heavier side.

Penang Jiak

the food place by food republic
Can’t go wrong with a hearty plate of Penang char kway teow. Photo: Evan Mua/HungryGoWhere

This one is perhaps not as glitzy of a name as some of the new concepts at this swanky new food court, but Penang Jiak is a good option for those just looking for familiar and nostalgic flavours.

The brand hails from Penang itself, with seven outlets so far, and diners can expect the same hearty flavours the city is known for!

For the ultimate Penang comfort, the flavour-packed char kway teow with big prawns (S$12.90) is probably the best bet — especially with a bunch of big prawns to satisfy seafood lovers.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on the most fragrant and satisfying cendols in Singapore and Arab Street’s cool new hidden alley cafe.


Evan started off writing about food on Instagram, before joining outlets such as Buro and Confirm Good to pursue his passion. His best work usually comes after his first whisky shot in the morning.

Read more stories from this writer.

Scroll to top