33 places for food in Tampines you cannot miss

1. Lola’s Cafe

Tampines Mall, 01-50, 4 Tampines Central
Open: Monday to Thursday (10am to 10pm), Friday (10am to 10.30pm), Saturday (9am to 10.30pm), Sunday (9am to 10pm)

Why visit? Many will instantly recognise the name Lola’s Cafe. Owners Choo Kiat and June first opened the cafe on Simon Road in 2013, presenting a cosy spot that serves up well-executed brunch classics and desserts. One of the OGs in the local cafe scene, they’ve since expanded to Holland Village and, more recently, Tampines Central. 

Taking over the iconic two-storey structure between Tampines Mall and Century Square where Starbucks formerly stood, the Lola’s Tampines menu boasts all-time favourites and outlet exclusives, with a focus on seafood and grilled meats. There’s a choice of all-day, brunch, dinner and desserts, giving diners variety throughout the day. 

Crowd favourites: There are eggs benedicts, then there’s Lola’s seafood croquette eggs benedict (S$20). English muffins, toasted and still chewy, and a fennel and cabbage slaw forms the base for the seafood croquettes and, of course, poached eggs. What ties it all together is the miso hollandaise sauce, topped with tobiko. This dish is best for sharing as it comes in two hefty stacks. 

If you’ve room for just one more, go for the cereal milk soft-serve waffle (S$14). Made famous by Christina Tosi during her stint at Momofuku Milk Bar, cereal milk has entered local vernacular and, thankfully, our menus. The soft serve comes with crispy butter waffles, made a la minute, and topped with cereal crunch and caramel sauce. Order this early as there’s a wait of 15 to 20 minutes usually.

Find out what we think about the new opening of Lola’s Cafe in this in-depth review.

2. Ging Sun Ho

Tampines Mall, B1-K17/18, 4 Tampines Central 5
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 9.30pm)

Why visit? Ging Sun Ho is a well-known Shanghainese chain from Hong Kong, that serves up crispy and flavourful pan-fried pork soup buns. Started by former Hong Kong singer Oscar Siu, the pan-fried dumpling lover spent three years elevating his skills in traditional dumpling-making before opening Ging Sun Ho.

Its first international outlet outside of Hong Kong, Ging Sun Ho’s Singapore menu is largely similar to its HK stores, with its signature buns and dumplings in the fray, of course.

Crowd favourites: You can’t go wrong with its signature pan-fried pork soup buns (S$5.80 for three pieces), that are packed with soup and meat, making each bite of the bun addictive and flavourful. If you find pan-fried buns too oily and would like to opt for a lighter dish, its steamed pork soup dumplings (S$3.80 for two pieces) is a good option, too.

Prefer noodles? The Ging Sun Ho dan dan noodles (S$9.80) is quite a show-stopper with its robust soup base, perfect with its slippery-soft noodles soaked in the aromatic broth. 

If you have space for more, end your meal on a delightful note with its Hong Kong-style milk tea (from S$4 for hot, and S$5 for iced) that’s mildly sweet with pronounced tea notes.

Here’s what Ging Sun Ho at Tampines is serving up.

3. Haruyama Udon

Tampines 1, B1-09, 10 Tampines Central
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 10pm)  

Why visit? For those staying in the east, you’ll know that Haruyama Udon is one of the newer shops that opened after Tampines One’s renovation back in July. 

As its first flagship outlet, Haruyama Udon is an artisanal restaurant that specialises in authentic, handmade udon. You can expect four distinct udon types here: Inaniwa (hand-stretched dried noodles), hoto (flat noodles), himokawa (wide noodles) and sanuki (chewy, thick noodles). 

Crowd favourites: If you’re a huge fan of Japanese cuisine, try its appetiser oden (S$10), that is so comforting and hearty with its hearty broth and a mixture of ingredients, such as eggs and narutomaki (fish cake).

A definite dish to try is also its spicy basil chicken udon (S$16), one of our favourite dishes at Haruyama Udon. Inspired by the classic Thai basil chicken dish, the noodle is garnished with juicy bits of minced chicken, wakame and a gooey onsen egg. Not forgetting the star of the dish — the chewy hoto udon that would guarantee a satisfying mouthful of flavours and textures. 

For more on Haruyama Udon’s offerings, read our full review. 

4. Nikmat Nasi Lemak 

Tampines 1, 05-05, 10 Tampines Central 1
Open: Monday to Friday (11.30am to 8pm), Saturday to Sunday (11am to 7pm)

Why visit? Tried Husk Nasi Lemak at Bugis Cube shopping mall? What about its sister outlet, Nikmat Nasi Lemak? Located at the newly revamped Hawkers’ Street at Tampines 1, Nikmat Nasi Lemak serves up Husk’s signatures with a few variations, and a secret sambal chilli recipe. 

Gideon Tan, the founder of Husk and Nikmat Nasi Lemak, wanted to create a brand with more price-friendly options for heartland customers. At Nikmat, there’s a wide selection of add-on dishes to choose from, such as sambal goreng, chicken rendang, sambal sotong and sambal quail egg. Each plate of nasi lemak is also topped with fried crumbs (batter bits), making each mouthful very addictive.

Crowd favourites: The signature chicken cutlet set (S$6.90) is a classic and solid dish. The rice is rich in coconut flavour, and fluffy, just like how any nasi lemak lover would prefer, whereas the fried chicken is succulent and tender. 

Something unique and modern is the sous vide beef rendang set (S$9.90), that we don’t see often served at nasi lemak stalls. To prepare this dish, the beef is carefully prepared a day before serving, then sous-vide for at least eight hours — just imagine how juicy and tender the beef meat is!

We speak to Nikmat’s owner, Gideon Tan, to find out more about why he chose to start the brand. 

5. Jofa Meepok

824 Tampines Street 81, 01-83
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 8pm)

Why visit? Started in 2021, Jofa Meepok is the brainchild of young hawkers Joel and Fabian. Polytechnic classmates-turned-business partners, and JOFA comes from an amalgamation of their first names. The duo now run multiple outposts of Jofa Meepok around Singapore, and their newer concepts, Jofa Grill and Jofa-Oji Donburi. (Lucky Tampines residents get to enjoy all three in the same coffee shop.)

What draws a crowd is their zhuzhed up bah chor mee. Available in dry or soup, it comes in two tiers; the normal at S$4.50 and the signature that’s teeming with additional seafood toppings from S$6.80. 

The comforting bowls comprise essentially of what the duo would like to eat themselves. Noodles are customised to be thicker, sans the alkaline taste. For texture, the broth is moreish, thanks to ample pork bones and old hen; and the chilli sauce is handmade by Fabian and delivered to each store daily. 

Crowd favourites: The dry version of the signature minced meat noodles (from S$6.80, also available as a soup version) is worth every penny. Slicked in fragrant lard, chilli sauce and a splash of vinegar, the noodles — with the desired texture or, as we colloquially call it, QQ — come with crispy lard bits, fishball, minced meat, pork slices, clams, scallop, mock abalone and, some of their signature sides, prawn paste ball and fried fish slices. 

For the noodles, you have a choice of mee kia or kway teow, but why would you deviate from the namesake mee pok?

The dry version comes with a bowl of soup but make an upgrade and go for the prawn paste soup (S$6.00) instead. The already appetising broth gets an oomph of umami from the hand-shaped prawn paste balls, which has a real bite and subtle seasoning, allowing the natural flavours of prawn to shine.

Here are more Tampines hawker stalls to explore. 

6. NetViet Vietnamese Cuisine

Block 519A, 01-01, Tampines Central 8
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 9pm)

Why visit? You’ll no longer have to travel far for authentic Vietnamese cuisine. NetViet Vietnamese Cuisine has landed at Tampines Central, just a 10-minute walk away from Tampines MRT or bus interchange. 

The Vietnamese husband-and-wife duo, former white collars, have ditched their offices for a hawker dream. Despite working from within a humble space, they offer an extensive menu, including summer rolls, banh mi thit, and classic noodles dishes.

Crowd favourites: A classic is the pho bo (S$7), a beef noodle soup dish that many Vietnamese hold dear to their heart. The broth made of beef bones, onions and radish is rich in flavour, yet light on the palate. Its served alongside soft rice noodles which are just the right level of doneness and well-soaked in the hearty beef broth. 

Those who prefer their noodles dry should check out the bun thit nuong (S$7), a delicious dish from the South of Vietnam, comprising grilled pork, vermicelli, veggies and nuoc cham (fish sauce) on the side. Usually eaten cold, you’ll first need to add the fish sauce into the bowl before you mix all the ingredients together. You’ll be intrigued with each bite, as it tastes light and balanced, with hints of sweetness.

7. Woodlands Claypot Prawn @Tampines

Space@Tampines, 01-16, 18 Tampines Industrial Crescent
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (12pm to 10pm)

Why visit? Skip the trek to Marsiling and head over to Tampines North instead for Woodlands Claypot Prawn. The viral hotpot concept featuring ample prawns and broth atop a charcoal fire has opened its second branch at Tampines, just one overhead bridge away from where Ikea stands.

The menu is succinct and centred around its speciality prawn broth — there’s only one size available but it comes with about 12 palm-sized prawns and unlimited broth. You’re free to add on more prawns, but the beauty lies in amplifying the already umami-laden broth with classic hotpot ingredients. 

Here’s a tip to get there in a fuss-free manner: Hop on the free IKEA shuttle bus that leaves from Tampines MRT or Bedok MRT or grab a seat onboard bus 27 or 168 from Tampines Interchange.

Crowd favourites: What makes the speciality prawn broth (S$32.80) stand out is that the prawns are first grilled over charcoal fire, before it is served in the bubbling broth. This introduces a sweeter, briny flavour to the already flavoursome broth. 

The fun part starts with your custom order of toppings. Amp up your broth with a variety, particularly the prawn paste (S$10.80), fish paste (S$6.80), bursting ball (S$6.80) and your choice of vegetables. There’s also a sauce station for you to customise your dipping sauce (don’t miss out on the fiery chicken buldak sauce!). 

8. Old World Bakuteh & Fried Porridge

Happy Hawker, T-Space, 01-34, 1 Tampines North Drive 1
Open: Tuesday to Thursday (10am to 2.30pm, 4.30pm to 8pm), Friday to Sunday (10am to 2.30pm, 4.30pm to 8.30pm)

Why visit? Old World may not be the first-of-its-kind but it is clear that Malacca-born Jemmy Yeo’s stall has set the standard for Malaysian comfort foods such as fried porridge and bak kut teh through his brand Old World Bakuteh & Fried Porridge. 

The Tampines branch opened in 2020 (a year after his original Yishun branch) and serves a similarly extensive menu, with options such as Malaysia-style bak kut teh, fried porridge with pork or seafood toppings and braised meats to noodle dishes. Needless to say, you’ll want to come hungry. 

Crowd favourites: Jemmy produces an objectively satisfying mixed pig’s organ fried porridge ($6). With ample wok hei, properly charred shallots and dried shrimps, generous portions of pork mince, lean meat and innards, plus a splash of his bak ku teh soup that’s redolent with dang gui, you’ll get a smoky, umami-laden bow that’s easily one of the best in town. 

You can’t go wrong with any of his bak kut teh options but the key is to pair it with the pork lard noodle (S$1.50) or pork lard rice (S$1.50). The simple — yet incredibly sinful — combination of dark soy sauce, fried shallots and crisp lard bits (of which there are many) is a no brainer. 

9. Shen Li Restaurant

Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, 01-15, 137 Tampines Street 11
Open: Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays (4.30pm to 9pm)

Why visit? You might not have heard of Daniel Chew of Shen Li Restaurant, but at just 28 years old, this young chef has expert control of huo hou (heat in Chinese), dazzling customers and those who pass by his stall at Tampines Round Market & Food Centre. He, along with his family — two aunties and his uncle, Ah Chye — swiftly churns out classic and contemporary zi char dishes at his hawker stall.

Much of the menu is made up of unique recipes, courtesy of Ah Chye. The chef, who now takes on a more supportive role in the kitchen, has taken part and won numerous culinary competitions in Asia, from Malaysia and Philippines to Taiwan and China. Thankfully, Ah Chye has passed on the recipes to his nephew and third-generation hawker, Daniel. 

Crowd favourite: Fruits are a recurring theme, with the mango fried grouper (price starts from S$26, depending on the size of the fish) being the most popular. It has it all — sweet, tangy, savoury and spicy. A whole deep-fried grouper comes doused in a bright tomato-based sauce with fresh mango slices, lime, lemongrass, rojak flower and chillies. Fans of sweet sour pork and Thai mango salad, like me, will enjoy this distinctive dish. 

Everyone’s go-to dish is the claypot tauhuey (S$10), and I can easily see why. This version sees Daniel replacing egg tofu with its softer, more delicate variation, tau huey (soy bean curd, typically eaten as a sweet dish). Cooked and served in a claypot, it comes drenched in a umami-laden sauce filled with minced pork, prawns, crispy dried shrimp and fried silverfish.

10. Lawa Bintang

Tampines Industrial Park A, 9008 Tampines Street 93
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (9am to 2pm)

Why visit? You’d be hard pressed to find a nasi lemak quite like what Sare is serving up at Lawa Bintang. The former property agent has leaned into her culinary talents and garnered a following for nasi lemak with unlikely toppings. Aside from fried chicken wings and thighs, you get options of salmon, barramundi, fried sotong or, if you’re feeling boujee, a whole cheese-topped grilled lobster.

While Lawa Bintang has gone viral for their luxurious toppings, many become regulars thanks to the stall’s fluffy yet fragrant basmati rice and that piquant sambal chilli tunis she spends five hours labouring over — the foundation of any good nasi lemak.

Crowd favourites: The lobster nasi lemak (S$24) has proven to be more than a viral headline. You get a whole grilled lobster, punched up with ground herbs and a thick layer of cheese (that’s made of three types of cheese). The flesh is firm, sweet and best eaten with Lawa Bintang’s homemade chilli tunis. The set also comes with a bed of fragrant basmati rice, a fried egg as well as sambal peanuts and anchovies. 

The classic drumstick nasi lemak (S$4.50) is no wallflower either. It’s tender, juicy and well-marinated, and comes with a satisfying crunch. The set comes with the usual, but we suggest adding on the homemade bagedil (fried potato patties, S$0.50 per piece).

We rate 30 nasi lemak stalls around Singapore.

11. Keng Eng Kee Seafood

Safra Tampines, 1A Tampines Street 92
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 2pm, 5pm to 10pm)

Why visit? Foodies will recognise the name Keng Eng Kee Seafood — the popular zi char store was awarded the Michelin plate from 2016 to 2023 (specifically for their original store at Alexandra Village), and played host to many top local and international chefs, including James Martin and the late Anthony Bourdain. 

Started by Madam Low Peck Yah and her husband in the 1970s, the store’s name is a reference to their ancestral village in Hainan, China. Formerly at Old Havelock Road, the brand started to gain prominence and its accolades after moving to Bukit Merah. Under the leadership of its third-generation owners, the brand has expanded into multiple outposts, with SAFRA Tampines in 2022. 

Crowd favourites: Decadent is how I would describe its signature Moonlight hor fun with beef (from S$10.80). Hot, straight out of the wok, ribbons of hor fun are evenly coated in a savoury dark sauce, redolent with wok hei and sleek in lard. The addition of slightly charred sliced lup cheong (Chinese sausages) and velveted beef slices is further accentuated by the moon-like raw egg yolk. Mix it all in for a creamy mouthfeel or have it on its own if you love your yolks whole. 

Another must-have is the claypot pig liver (from S$20.80). Served in a sizzling claypot, the dish comes with an appetising aroma of dark soy, ginger and scallions. It’s best eaten right as it is served with white rice and ample spoonfuls of the gravy.

12. Sanye Seafood Zichar

824 Tampines Street 81, 01-38
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 11pm)

Why visit? Henry, Justin and Jerome may be new to the hawker business, but these three have been winning hearts of Tampines West residents with their zi char hawker store since early this year. 

Sanye offers an extensive menu of classics and seafood dishes and its menu is suitable for groups as well as solo dinners, making it a popular choice across lunch and dinner. As the crowds tend to flock in come evening, it is recommended to call ahead to make a booking.

Crowd favourites: The unassuming seafood mee goreng (S$6) will have you saying: “Yes, please!”. Flat yellow noodles are expertly fried in a wok with ample seafood, including squid and peeled prawns, with just the right amount of spice. The generous portion is well-worth the cost. 

You can hardly go wrong with the classic prawn paste chicken (from S$15). Plump chicken wings are first marinated in a shrimp sauce (a fermented condiment made of krill with salt) to impart a scrumptious umami flavour, before it is deep-fried for ASMR-worthy crunch.  

13. My Korean Mom’s Kimchi

Century Square, B1-29, 2 Tampines Central 5
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 9pm)

Why visit? Established in 2020 as a home-based business, My Korean Mom’s Kimchi has come a long way. The Korean mother-and-son duo now has two physical stores: A family-style restaurant at NEWest Mall and an express takeaway outlet at Century Square. 

The Century Square outlet boasts a rather varied menu of handmade banchan (side dishes), gimbap in nine flavours, stew, bentos and street foods, ranging from tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and fried chicken. 

Crowd favourites: A staple in any kitchen is the signature kimchi (S$15 for 450g). Each batch is made by the owner, fully living up to the tagline of “the taste of a mother’s hand. She uses a proprietary blend of gochugaru sauce, rich in flavours of red pepper, Korean plum, Korean pear, kelp, fermented shrimp and fish sauce, and the kimchi can be kept for months. 

The highly addictive MKMK original gimbap (S$12) is packed generously with yellow radish, burdock, carrots, cucumber, chicken sausage and egg, and remains one of its best sellers to date.

14. Xiao Pu Tien Restaurant

138 Tampines Street 11, 01-124
Open: Monday to Friday, Sunday (11.30am to 10pm), Saturday (11.30am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10pm)

Why visit? You can count on Xiao Pu Tien Restaurant for quality Heng Hwa cuisine without breaking the bank. The humble eatery is located near Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, and features an extensive menu of Heng Hwa classics at affordable prices. 

The fuss-free eatery is homely with a friendly and prompt service staff. The kitchen also focuses on bringing in quality, authentic ingredients. For example, the region’s famed seaweed is delivered straight from Putian, Fujian.  

Crowd favourites: I am a sucker for heng hwa bee hoon (from S$6) and have a mental list where to find some of the best in Singapore, so trust me when I say that Xiao Pu Tien Retaurant’s rendition is at the top of said list. The portion, even for small, is ample but that won’t stop you from slurping the plate clean. The bee hoon is braised in a saporous pork bone stock before it is fried with fresh prawns and clams, and is topped with peanuts and the crispy seaweed for extra crunch.

Another Putian speciality is the Nine Turn small intestine (S$16). Fans of pork innards will enjoy this version, which features a small intestine that’s been expertly crammed into, well, small intestines. The laborious recipe, however, delivers a delectable and bouncy starter that’ll have you hooked from the first bite. Even diners who turn their noses at innards will have fun trying this dish.

15. Eat 3 Bowls

Century Square, B1-22, 2 Tampines Central 5
Open: Monday to Sunday (10.30am to 9pm)

Why visit? Taiwanese cuisine is rapidly gaining popularity in Singapore and Eat 3 Bowls appears to be riding the wave to great results. What was originally a hawker store at Seah Im Food Centre has expanded to multiple outlets, with Century Square being the latest in February 2024. 

Cousins Ng Jiewei and Lim Pei Tang (former financial planners) are the brains behind the brand and made frequent trips to Taiwan to research its fare before starting the brand. This allowed them to create an authentic menu, from the classic rice and noodles to side dishes and beverages. 

Crowd favourites: A meal at Eat 3 Bowls wouldn’t be complete with its braised pork rice (S$5.80). There’s nothing subtle about the braise — thick, rich and sticky with lard, it is served as a messy, lip-smacking pile of chopped up pork belly atop white rice. The rice gradually soaks up that braise and each mouthful — rice, meat and disintegrating fat — is a special sort of comfort. 

An underdog (as I’ve rarely seen diners order this) is the shredded chicken rice (S$5.80) that I’ll stand by as the best dish here. The chicken is poached, shredded and piled high on a bed of short grain rice, right before it is drenched in a sweet soy dressing that amplifies the caramelised shallots. It’s simple, unassuming and definitely not as famous as the above, but this Southern Taiwan dish (Chiayi, specifically) is more than the sum of all its parts.

16. AshesBurnnit

929 Tampines Street 91
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 3.30pm, 4.30pm to 8.30pm)

Why visit? If you’re a fan of the now-defunct Burgs by Project Warung, you’ll be happy to know that the man behind it, Lee Syafiq, has not given up on his F&B dreams. In 2018, he launched AshesBurnnit at Golden Mile Food Centre, offering restaurant-quality burgers at budget-friendly prices. 

Its gourmet burgers, ranging from smashed beef patties to fried chicken, feature local and western flavours in a charcoal bun. To complement, its menu also features mac and cheese, western grills. and pastas in various flavours. 

Crowd favourites: The gratification that comes with biting into the truffle shroom burger (from S$10 for a single patty with fries) is worth the calories. Made with handcrafted smashed patties, it sports a gorgeous crust all while retaining a toothsome, juicy medium-rare bite. As if it couldn’t get any better, it also comes with an indulgent truffle cream, sauteed mushrooms and cheese.

A special shoutout goes to its crispy yet fluffy fries, which comes with every burger order and can also be ordered on its own with your choice of toppings. An easy choice is the brisket fries (S$6.80 a la carte or S$4 as an upgrade on your existing order) which comes with a heap of its 36-hour braised Australian brisket.

17. Rumah Makan Minang

Our Tampines Hub, B1-47, 1 Tampines Walk
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 9pm)

Why visit? Perhaps Singapore’s best restaurant for minangkabau cuisine (or, as we know it, Padang cuisine), Rumah Makan Minang is packed all hours of the day. 

The late Hajjah Rosemah Binte Mailu started her business as a roadside store along Kandahar Street in the late 1950s. It wasn’t uncommon to see her five children helping out with operations after school, all the way till they moved to a corner store shophouse on the same street in 1974. 

In the 1980s, her daughter, Zulbaidah and husband, Zin Haron, opened up another restaurant nearby at Bussorah Street, with the name we are more familiar with  — Rumah Makan Minang Sabar Menanti Siang dan Malam (which translates to “Minang eating house wait patiently day and night”). The name has since been shortened but the menu has only gotten bigger, featuring padang favourites, rarely seen dishes, kuehs, and desserts. 

Crowd favourites: The beef rendang (S$8.50 for a rice set) is always first to go and its easy to understand why. The beef chunks are cooked — almost lovingly — over a slow charcoal fire, allowing the aromatic spices and coconut milk to render them into delicate morsels that fall apart instantly. 

I love a good fried chicken but even more so when it is covered in an eye-catching red sambal belado merah. The ayam belado merah (S$8 for a rice set) features the Minangkabau-style sambal which starts off sweet before unveiling a mind-numbing spice. Not for the uninitiated.

Get stuffed with these 15 places for nasi padang in Singapore.

18. Wong’s Family Western

Tampines Polyview, 820 Tampines Street 81
Open: Monday to Sunday (10.30am to 9pm)

Why visit? When it comes to old school western food, Wong’s Family Western comes highly recommended by many Tampines residents. The owners are friendly, and have reestablished themselves in Tampines Polyview after eight years at Block 844 at Tampines Street 82. 

It is best known for its succulent fried chicken offerings, such as the spring chicken (a classic fried whole chicken) and chicken cutlet, but also sports a strong following for its grilled meats, which come doused in a homemade black pepper sauce. 

Crowd favourites: Nostalgia hits big with the black pepper chicken chop (S$6.80, with a choice of rice or bread). A whole chicken thigh is flattened and grilled skin side down first for that gorgeous crisp exterior, all while keeping the meat tender. It is then topped with a liberal splash of a toothsome black pepper sauce that dances between sweet and savoury.

Then there’s the chicken cutlet (S$6.80). Likewise, it features a whole thigh. Except this time, it is thinly breaded and deep fried till shatteringly crispy. You can have it with the usual fries and coleslaw, but I enjoy it by having it dipped into the tomato gravy that comes with the spaghetti version (S$9).

19. Abu Mubarak Mandi Rice Restaurant

NTUC Income@Tampines Junction, 300 Tampines Avenue 5
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 9pm)

Why visit? Embark on a culinary journey to the Middle East with Abu Mubarak Mandi Rice Restaurant, a homey restaurant located on the first floor of Tampines’ NTUC Income building (a short waltz away from Tampines MRT on the downtown line side). 

Mekkah-born (Saudi Arabia) Abu Mubarak saw a gap in Singapore’s dining scene for authentic and affordable Arabic Hejazi cuisine, and started a home-based business in 2010 doling out this fare.

The menu has since been expanded at this physical outlet and includes other Middle Eastern staples, such as kabsa (rice cooked with tomatoes, lime and spices), magluba (layered rice dish) and kunafa in various flavours, to name a few.

Crowd favourites: Abu Mubarak’s claim to fame, the mandi rice remains the most popular. Mandi traditionally uses hawaji, a Yemeni spice mix that can include turmeric, cardamom, cumin and so on, and a method of slow cooking in a taboon (an underground oven), keeping the protein of choice succulent and imparting an appetising smoky aroma. 

Chicken is the typical choice but we recommend the lambshank mandi (from S$21.90 for one diner). The spices do wonders against the gamey flavour. The fat, redolent with the marinade, adds to the already flavoursome yellow rice — a decadent meal that’s worth the food coma after. 

I love a good cheese kunafa (S$9.90) and Abu Mubarak delivers. Sweet and savoury at the same time, it features crispy kataïfi pastry (essentially delicate, shredded strands of phyllo dough), a light, salty cheese and orange blossom syrup — it’s best enjoyed warm.

20. Zoul’s Corner

801 Tampines Avenue 4, 01-257
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 10pm)

Why visit? Azhar Mohd Salleh, also adoringly known as Zoul, created his iconic nasi ayam penyet out of necessity. The store was previously helmed by his mother, Hajjah Rokiah, and sold nasi padang, a business that required hours and hours of prep. A year into the business, Zoul revamped the menu and focused on said dish to great result.

The Zoul’s Corner at Tampines is a standalone stall, located just a short walk from Tampines West MRT. While the ayam (chicken) penyet is its focus, the stall has an extensive menu offering various proteins, fried and smashed, sauces and your choice of either chicken rice or nasi goreng (fried rice). The service is just what you’d expect from a family-run spot — friendly, welcoming and you’d always leave completely stuffed. 

Crowd favourites: What better way to get acquainted with Zoul’s Corner than with its signature nasi ayam penyet (S$8.50)? Along with a serving of fragrant white rice cooked in a sumptuous chicken broth and spices is a massive fried chicken leg that has spent ample time marinating in a heirloom recipe of candlenuts, garlic, turmeric, ginger and coriander seeds. Crisp and succulent, it stands on its own but gets an instant upgrade with its sweet yet fiery sambal blend. 

You can expect the same quality from its nasi ikan kerapu penyet (S$11). Instead of chicken, you get a whole deep-fried grouper with the same rich marinade. There’s a bit of work when it comes to its bones (since it’s served whole) but the light, sweet taste of its flesh is worth the effort. 

21. Saute Saranghae

Tampines 1, 05-08/09, 10 Tampines Central 1
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 9.30pm)

Why visit? What’s interesting at Saute Saranghae isn’t just that it is a plant-based casual dining spot, but that it specialises in using unprocessed, natural ingredients to create a Korean menu that’s completely vegetarian and allium-free (no onion and garlic). 

The family-run Saute Group started out in 2016, providing vegan fare with the aim of making healthier, greener food choices accessible. Proving that vegetarian food isn’t boring, it has successfully expanded to different cuisines, including local, western, ramen and, even, sushi. The Tampines 1 branch offers Korean comfort and street food that’s just as delicious, with an added bonus of being nutritious.

Crowd favourites: Even meat lovers will forget about barbecued meats after diggint into the sizzling hot plate marinated mushroom slices (S$19.90 as a set with rice, kimchi and a butterfly pea drink). Saute’s take on bulgogi beef features tender mushroom slices with a robust sauce and a variety of fresh vegetables.

Nothing screams comfort quite like a piping bowl of kimchi jigae ramyeon (S$12.90). Its rendition of the army stew with homemade kimchi hits the spot with its chewy, curly noodles and homely broth. The ramyeon also comes loaded with mushrooms, tofu, zucchini and, even, cheese for an extra oomph.

22. I Like Chicken

872C Tampines Street 86
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 10pm)

Why visit? Bookmark I Like Chicken whenever you’ve a hankering for fried chicken with unique flavours. Specialising in fried boneless chicken, it offers 12 flavours — there’s the usual suspects of garlic soy and creamy onion alongside honey mustard, mala and, for the adventurous, durian. 

The prices are friendly, with chicken and burgers coming in at less than S$10. The chicken are boneless, bite-sized pieces in easy-to-eat takeaway boxes. The best way to enjoy its offerings is to gather friends and pick out a couple of flavours to try.

Crowd favourites: There’s something magical about dipping fried foods in a thick sauce. You’ll get a texturally satisfying experience with its creamy onion (from S$11.50) flavoured chicken, where fried boneless chunks come with hefty lashings of their housemade onion sauce and fresh onion slices for an extra crunch.

While I am not a fan, I can understand the fervour for durian — the king of fruits is a flavour bomb and has been used in both desserts and savoury dishes. The durian (from S$11.50) here comes as a sweet, creamy dressing, with its iconic aroma hitting you from the get-go. 

Explore these 13 places for Korean fried chicken in Singapore.

23. Waker Chicken

Happy Hawkers, 01-238, 428 Tampines Street 43
Open: Daily (24 hours)

Why visit? Grab authentic Korean fried chicken from Waker Chicken. Fueled by their own love for fried chicken, native Koreans Noh Tae Woo and Kim Jinho have joined hands to bring this Korea-based brand — Kim’s uncle owns the original in Seoul — to Singapore at affordable hawker prices.  

Waker stands out for its use of larger chickens, typically weighing between 1.3 to 1.4kg, that are as tender as they are flavourful. Much of the work goes into the prep — the chickens are left to marinade in seasoning and brine overnight. You’ll see a familiar line up of flavours, which, while limited, are done well.

Crowd favourites: The best way to enjoy Waker Chicken is the original crispy (from S$7.30 as a rice set or S$13.50 for half a chicken). Past the thin, crisp batter that comes with a shattering crunch, you get tender chicken — be it breast or thigh — that’s seasoned all the way through. It’s perfect on its own but you can also amp it up with ketchup, sweet chilli, honey mustard or wasabi mayo. 

Another go-to is the soy sauce (from S$7.50 for a rice set or S$14.50 for half a chicken) flavour, where the same crisp yet tender chicken is tossed in a sweet yet savoury garlic-laced soy dressing. It gets messy but it’s worth it.

Satisfy your cravings for fried chicken with these 15 spots around Singapore.

24. My Father’s Minced Meat Noodles

Everyday Come Coffee Shop, 01-190, 477 Tampines Street 43
Open: Monday to Sunday (6am to 8pm)

Why visit? Look no further than My Father’s Minced Meat Noodles for a quality bowl of “gu zhao wei” (or old school taste in Mandarin) bak chor mee in Tampines. 

Young hawker Aaron Lim helms the store, upholding the legacy of his elders who also served up great bak chor mee, right up to his great-great-grandfather, who created the very recipe — that’s four generations of bak chor mee experts who’ve honed the OG recipe over time!

Crowd favourites: There is only one thing on the menu and its bak chor mee. Available in soup (from S$4) and dry (from S$4.50), you get mee kia, with the requisite bite, a generous serving of minced pork, pork balls and wantons. 

The soup variety boasts a garlicky flavour, complementing the sweetness of fresh pork. The dry version, on the other hand, features a savoury dark sauce, fiery sambal and crisp lard bits. 

25. The Tree Cafe

Century Square, 03-34, 2 Tampines Central 5
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 10pm)

Why visit? The homegrown brand celebrated its eighth anniversary this year, cementing themselves as Singapore’s go-to for affordable cafe fare. The Tree Cafe has multiple branches across the island and its Century Square branch doles out the same menu of halal-certified western and asian-fusion dishes, snacks, desserts and blended beverages. 

Its nature-themed decor and many plants allow diners to instantly feel at ease. The service here is quick, too, thanks to its self-service system. As such, it has become particularly popular with students and even among those who want to hold special events. 

Crowd favourites: The old school western dish of chicken chop gets an upgrade in the rock honey chicken (S$11.50). Grilled chicken thighs are slathered in rock honey sauce — a mix of rock sugar and honey — are served with your choice of two sides. Favourites include the aromatic butter rice and sweet potato fries.

Those who prefer punchier flavours will enjoy the seafood pesto pasta (S$14.90). This value-for-money dish comes loaded with mushrooms, a fried fish fillet and whole prawns atop a bed of al dente spaghetti, coated in a herbaceous basil and almond pesto sauce.

Tampines dessert spots

26. Three’s A Crowd

Block 802, 01-11, Tampines Avenue 4
Open: Sunday to Thursday (11am to 10.30pm), Friday to Saturday (11am to 11pm)

Why visit? Three’s A Crowd is more than just a cafe — it is what many residents would call a third place. Families, friends and students all come together to form the lively community that makes up the crowd here. You’ll often walk into a bustling chatter and tables filled with gelato, waffles and decadent drinks. 

Opened since 2016, the folks behind the brand built up a following for its gelato flavours, inspired by seasonal ingredients, trends or even feedback fromcustomers. Expect flavours that build on familiarity, with the occasion flavour combination aimed to delight and surprise. Highlights include teh tarik, Milo Saurus and even masala, to name a few. 

Crowd favourites: Named in honour of the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the “Leegacy” signature dark chocolate (from S$5.50 for a scoop) is a dark chocolate gelato boasting a smooth texture and deep, robust flavour, thanks to the use of a premium cocoa bean blend. The team says they were inspired by his “bittersweet legacy that will be cherished by generations to come”.

On the other hand, fans of the iconic Paddle Pop ice cream will enjoy the Unicorn Pop (from S$4.50 a scoop). The colourful scoop boosts a gentle vanilla flavour that’s adored by young and old. While you can have it on its own, it is even better on one of their signature and seasonal waffle flavours. 

27. Betsubara Creamery & Cafe

625B Tampines Street 61, 01-01
Open: Sunday to Thursday (12pm to 10pm), Friday and Saturday (12pm to 12am)

Why Visit? Another adorable ode to ice cream is the Tampines West outpost for Betsubara Creamery & Cafe. The Scandinavian-styled spot — which sports a cute, easily recognisable mascot, a merry polar bear — serves up handcrafted ice creams inspired by Japan, with flavours ranging from sea salt Hokkaido milk to Kyoho grape. 

All the flavours share a base of Hokkaido milk with no addition of eggs, making its offerings creamy, light and vegetarian. The brand also prides themselves in using premium Japanese ingredients and ensuring its flavours are lower in fat and sugar.  

Crowd favourites: You can’t go wrong with its sea salt Hokkaido milk signature soft cream (from S$4.80 for a scoop). The addition of sea salt brings out the naturally rich, sweet notes of premium Hokkaido milk. Opt for the cone — it not only introduces a nice crunch, but is also reminiscent of cereal milk once it gets soaked with the melting ice cream.   

The lavender Hokkaido milk (from S$3.80 for junior single scoop) will have you dreaming of the northern Japan state’s famed flower fields. The soft purple hues and the delicate aroma is best enjoyed atop its thick yet crisp Hokkaido butter waffles (S$7.90).

28. Glasshouse Creamery

The Alps Residences, 117 Tampines Street 86
Open: Sunday to Thursday (11am to 11pm), Friday to Saturday (11am to 2am)

Why Visit? It’s no surprise that Glasshouse Creamery has easily garnered a crowd despite having only just opened earlier this year in April. Its chic interior of lush floral arrangements, rattan furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows make for a gorgeous backdrop, and the growing menu of sweets and savouries completes the visit.

Set within the greenery of The Alps Residences, Glasshouse Creamery covers all the quintessentials of any cafe experience, but its calling card is, no doubt, the ice cream flavours, ranging from classics to Asian-inspired. But don’t just focus on the ice cream — it also boasts a selection of amped-up sandwiches, wraps and finger bites. 

Crowd favourites: You can have its ice cream in a cup or cone, but its mochi-based signature waffle (S$7.90 a la carte) is where it is at. Go for the duo set (from S$15.90 for two classic ice cream flavours), which comes with options for toppings and sauce. A go-to combination is the pistachio and strawberry, with biscoff crumble and maple syrup.

It also offers a selection of tea blends, with three being caffeine-free. A favourite is the Wild Meadow (S$6.90), a green tea-based blend with notes of caramel, papaya and strawberries. 

29. Hundred Acre Creamery

824 Tampines Street 81, 01-24
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 11pm)

Why visit? What started out as a fun experiment during the pandemic has now turned into a bustling dessert cafe business with four locations across Singapore. Founded by couple Edmund and Linh in 2020, Hundred Acre Creamery, as the name suggests, is heavily inspired by the joyful tales of Winnie the Pooh. 

You’ll find references to the children’s book throughout the cafe in the form of cheery, uplifting quotes. It is the duo’s hope that patrons will celebrate “life’s simplest pleasures” through their handcrafted gelato, desserts and Vietnamese coffees. 

Its gelato is made only in small batches to ensure optimal quality and uses no artificial flavourings or colourings. Much of its offerings are inspired by nostalgia with a splash of innovation 

Crowd favourites: The Isaphan rose (from S$4.50 for a single scoop) is a crowd pleaser for good reason. Hundred Acre Creamery’s take on the flavour, first popularised by French baker Pierre Herme, does the legacy justice as a floral yet mildly tangy sorbet. It is also dairy-free, vegan, and goes fantastically well on its signature coconut pandan waffle (S$7)

Thanks to Linh’s Vietnamese background, you best believe the cafe also serves up a good cup of Vietnamese egg coffee (from S$6). Rich, caffeine-laden Vietnamese coffee gets a thick layer of egg custard — courtesy of some serious elbow grease needed to whip egg yolks and condensed milk — atop, delivering a rich, almost luxurious cup that straddles delicately between a coffee and a dessert. Not that we are complaining, of course.  

30. Puffs And Peaks Bakery

Tampines Central Community Complex, 03-03, 866A Tampines Street 83
Open: Thursday to Sunday (10.30am to 5pm)

Why visit? You may have heard of Puffs and Peaks Bakery’s mother-daughter duo, Kalyang and Linda, way before the opening of their physical store in 2020, with Singapore was deep in a donut craze during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The former home bakery, which operated from 2013 to 2020 would always sell out online, and its bakes displays at pop-ups would often clear out before the day ends. 

So believe me, and many fellow donut fiends, that everyone was ecstatic when they decided to open a physical store in Tampines. A dedicated space also meant that Kalyang could churn out more bakes as well as allow her and her team (which now also includes her father) to experiment new flavours, both sweet and savoury. 

The menu changes every month, including classics alongside new, limited bakes. The best way to stay updated is through its Instagram, where Kalyang would post the new menu on the first Monday of every month. Avoid disappointment by pre-ordering through its website latest by Wednesday of that week. 

Crowd favourites: The bakery’s claim to fame is the hand-rolled brioche donuts. Everyone has a favourite filling but the salted honey whip & peanut butter donut (S$4.20) is a must-have. The pillowy dough is stuffed with housemade, unsweetened peanut butter and whipped cream infused with The Rare Honey Company’s wildflower honey. Floral and nutty, sweet and savoury, this particular donut is reason enough to head down.

Kalyang and her team are truly passionate: They pride themselves in preparing every ingredient in-house — no premix used here — and are always coming up with new creations. The best way to savour them all is through the seasonal bundle (S$27.50) where exclusive flavours for the month, sweet and savoury, will be included. 

Check out these bakeries for fluffy, loaded bombolonis in Singapore.

31. Fieldnotes

Tampines 1, B1-K10, 10 Tampines Central 1
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 9.30pm)

Why visit? East siders can now easily savour Fieldnotes’ gorgeous nature-inspired cakes at its latest takeaway boutique at Tampines 1’s basement floor. 

Here, it offers a wide selection of picture-ready tarts, tea cakes, brownies and cakes (whole or in slices). Each flavour is a signature creation, skilfully handcrafted and decorated in buttercream, florals and fruits to represent the ingredients within. Bonus: These cakes are handcrafted with no preservatives, with an emphasis on using the natural flavours of ingredients. 

Crowd favourites: The time-tested combination of yuzu and honey gets an upgrade in its honey yuzu cream cake (S$65.40 for 6” whole cake). There’s an abundant inclusion of yuzu across the sponge, curd and chantilly, which is delicately balanced by a finish of Manuka honey chantilly cream. 

Fans of the classic strawberry shortcake will adore their lychee strawberry rose (S$65.40 for 6” whole cake). The eye-catching cake comes in a soft pink hue, courtesy of their freshly-made rose chantilly, and hides 3 layers of vanilla sponge layered generously with the same rose-flavoured creme, fresh strawberries and lychee pulp. 

32. A1 Chendol & Durian

Block 822, 01-186, Tampines Street 81
Open: Monday to Sunday (1pm to 10pm)

Why visit? Many Tampines West residents and nearby students would have grown up with this humble smoothie spot, A1 Chendol & Durian (previously known as Penang A1 Chendol). 

Two friends have since taken over the store from the original founder couple, but the duo continues to uphold the tagline of “worth a second cup” with its thick, rich smoothies. Flavours range from fruits to those inspired by desserts and, as the name suggests, A1 is most known for the chendol-inspired and durian smoothies. 

Crowd favourites: A lot of work goes into its signature A1 Penang chendol (from S$5). Kidney beans are cooked from scratch, and so is the pandan jelly. The brand also only uses freshly sourced D24 durian flesh, coconut milk and authentic gula Melaka for its chendol.

Durian fiends should head over for its MSW durian (from S$7.80) during the fruits’ peak in summer. Likewise, only quality ingredients are used. Mao shan wang or musang king is highly sought-after in desserts for its custard-like texture and addictively bittersweet flavour, and does fantastically as a smoothie here. 

33. 17 Yogurt

Tampines MRT Station, 01-19, 20 Tampines Central 1
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 9.30pm)

Why visit? Offering a healthy beverage and dessert alternative right outside Tampines MRT station is 17 Yogurt, a homegrown brand specialising in freshly fermented yoghurt made from Australian milk. Its menu is extensive, including yoghurt smoothies in over 40 flavours and frozen yoghurt with various toppings. 

Touted as a great source of probiotics and lower in fat, its fresh yoghurt is light with a slight tang and makes for the ideal base for its mixes, many of which use fresh fruits and quality grains. Highlights include purple rice from Yunan, China, and puak (Thai variant of purple taro), with the latter being prepared daily to create a rich, creamy paste with chunky bites for texture. You can also choose your sugar level here to suit your tastes but, with the use of fresh fruits, you’d hardly have to go beyond 0%. 

Crowd favourites: A personal favourite is the red dragon fruit yoghurt smoothie (from S$5.60 for a medium cup). The fruit, which flavour is reminiscent of a kiwi and pear, is blended upon order, and topped up with a hefty portion of its yoghurt — refreshing and great for your gut.

Another highlight is one of its signatures, the purple rice yogurt (from S$4.60 for a medium cup). Purple rice is said to be a good source of protein, iron, fibre and antioxidants, purple rice, and has become a popular topping. Steamed and cooled before it is blended into the yoghurt, it introduces a subtle nutty note and a nice chew to the overall drink.

Hungry for more? Check out 5 Senses at Odeon 333 that serves up Hainanese classics and iconic Chinese zi char restaurant Yalong Bay’s final three years. 

All restaurants, except Betsubara Creamery & Cafe, Glasshouse Creamery, Puffs and Peaks Bakery, Woodlands Claypot Prawn and Rumah Makan Minang, are on the GrabFood delivery service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited.   

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out.

Alternatively, book a ride to these places for food in Tampines.