Yaowarat Cafe draws CBD queues with Thai food, with most dishes under S$10

There’s a new crowd-puller in the CBD, and if you’ve walked past it recently, you’ve probably already spotted its long queues.

Opened in early April, Yaowarat Cafe introduces a niche concept to Singapore: Thai breakfast kai krata. It’s the first of its kind here, highlighting Thai street-style morning fare in a casual, everyday setting.

Even better, most dishes come in under S$10 — a rarity in this part of town.

The cafe is an offshoot of Yaowarat Seafood, a 10-year-old restaurant helmed by brothers David Ang and Adrian Ang, with recipes rooted in family tradition. 

Here, the concept is led by the same David Ang, alongside half-Thai partner Ampeka Tan, to bring a more accessible, all-day dining format to town.

What is kai krata?

The menu is designed with flexibility in mind — whether you’re dropping by for a quick breakfast, a comforting lunch, or a satisfying dinner.

Its kai-kra-ta (S$7.80) is a signature dish at this concept. It translates directly to “eggs in a pan”, a Thai street-breakfast staple popular in northeastern Thailand that’s served sizzling in a hotplate. The dish traces its roots to Vietnam, and has since been adapted to suit Thai palates.

Here, it comes loaded with Thai fish sausages, minced pork, bacon, cheese, and spring onions, with a baguette on the side as your carb.

In particular, we loved the Thai fish sausages — these were simple and comforting. The kai krata itself comes with two yolks and three egg whites, offering a balanced portion that doesn’t feel too heavy.

For a more Singaporean touch, there’s also a localised variation that swaps its meats for otah and chicken franks.

If you’re here in the morning, the Thai green tea kaya butter toast (S$2) is a must-try. The toast is generously slathered with butter, while the kaya carries a subtle, fragrant infusion of Thai green tea. It pairs effortlessly with the kopi and teh options on the menu.

Beyond breakfast, the menu opens up to a range of heartier plates.

A favourite of ours has to be the tom yum Mama soup (S$8). It’s rich and deeply flavourful, with a spice that hits with a satisfying kick, but doesn’t linger. The broth leans less tangy than usual, making it especially easy to enjoy.

You can opt for rice or noodles, with the soup packed with prawns, squid, pork balls, and egg.

As with every Thai eatery, a staple dish on the menu is the hotplate basil rice (S$7.80), available with minced pork or chicken. 

It’s stir-fried with basil, chilli, and garlic, and topped with a fried egg — a dependable, satisfying option. The minced meat has a particularly enjoyable, crunchy texture, while the runny yolk brings everything together.

For something more straightforward, there’s the Tuk Tuk chicken rice (S$8), a dish inspired by Thailand’s freshly-cooked street-side eats. The chicken is marinated in Thai spices such as blue ginger (galangal) and lemongrass, then paired with turmeric-infused jasmine rice.

It’s simple and fragrant, with a homemade chilli sauce on the side that pairs perfectly with the rice.

There’s plenty more on the menu, too — from tom kha seafood soup (S$6) to pad Thai seafood (S$8.80) and green curry chicken (S$7.80).

If you’re dining in a group, small plates such as Thai fish cakes (five pieces for S$6.90) and mango salad with anchovies (S$9.90) make great shareables.

Kopi, Thai teh, and after-work drinks

The drinks here stay true to the casual, approachable concept.

You’ll find your usual kopi (S$1), ideal as a morning staple or midday pick-me-up. There’s also Thai tea (S$1), for something a little more indulgent. Both are available sweetened or not.

Since the cafe runs into the evening, it also doubles as a laid-back dinner spot. If you’re winding down after work, there’s Singha beer (S$8 for 330ml) or even red wine (S$8 per glass) to go with your meal.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on CBD eats, read on the story behind sandwich deli Between Buns Deli and casual French restaurant Les Canons.