20 Food Places We Love in Jalan Besar

Meaning ‘big road’ in Malay, Jalan Besar has been building up on its diversity of eateries with hip bars and cafes joining renowned names such as Cheng Mun Chee Kee Pig Organ Soup and Lai Huat Seafood Restaurant. While the area warrants at least a ten minute walk from Lavender/Kallang MRT Station, wait three more years for the new Jalan Besar station on the Downtown Line to be completed. We reckon even more food establishments would have sprung up by then. For now, here’s a round-up of 20 old and new food places we love in Jalan Besar. The modern contenders 1. Suprette

Suprette, a retro-chic restaurant/bar/cafe serving American fare, occupies the ground floor of an equally nostalgic-looking Kam Leng Hotel. Woke up late? Not all is lost if you miss their daily breakfast menu since their lunch and dinner line ups are studded with far more standout dishes. While prices here are on the high side, The Suprette Burger ($20) comes highly raved for its monstrous portion, a juicy beef patty and the option to add on gruyere cheese, mushrooms, avocado and even foie gras. Other variations include: Chickpea Burger ($21), Ken’s Heart Attack Burger ($45) (pictured) and a Spicy Buffalo Chicken Burger ($22). 383 Jalan Besar, Kam Leng Hotel Lobby, Singapore 209001 Image: Suprette Facebook Page 2. 1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant

1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant stands as one of the newer faces of the Jalan Besar hood. Stay on the ground floor to enjoy swigs of beer from the tap that are brewed in-house. Their newest addition, Manuka Stout, is made with a hint of espresso and Manuka honey — available for a limited time only. For proper dining, head upstairs for a feast starting with their seasonal Seaweed Fries, Harimau Prawns ($20.90) and the Beef Paddle ($28). Lunch specials available on weekdays (11am to 3pm) include the BBQ Pork Belly Set ($10.90) (pictured) with free flow soft drinks or an Americano for an extra $2. 369 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208997 Image: 1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant Facebook Page 3. Chye Seng Huat Hardware

From the outside, Chye Seng Huat Hardware blends in well with the other hardware shops in the vicinity. But on the inside, it’s a stark contrast with a posh and rustic interior. Seats mark the perimeter of the café surrounding an island coffee bar, where you can watch as the baristas work their coffee magic. While you get your caffeine fix, fuel up on their “Tummy fillers” like the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich ($13) or The Huat Breakfast ($18). We hear their Ang Ku Kueh ($1.20 each/ $5 for a set of any five flavours) is awesome. Also under their wing: Coffee appreciation classes and barista training courses. 150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207563 Image: Peh Yi Wen 4. Two Bakers

One-month-old cafe, Two Bakers, has proven to be a crowd-favourite with many cafe hoppers and dessert fanatics swinging by. The menu draws focus on mainly sweet treats but they also have undeniably tasty savoury mains for you to enjoy. The Bow Tie Napolitan ($13.80) is a simple tomato-based pasta with a surprisingly flavourful taste. Also, try their Plain Croissant or Banana Walnut Muffin, which is good for a quick bite to go. 88 Horne Road, Singapore 209083 Image: Two Bakers Facebook Page 5. The Bravery Cafe

Second of three cafes by folks behind The Plain and Ronin, The Bravery Cafe carries no signage just like its siblings. The only way to point this café out to you is the symbolic horse statue (visible from outside), placed atop the communal table, as well as that string of coloured light bulbs hanging loose from the ceiling. Their signature Lavender Latte ($5.50) comes perfumed with lavender essence, which may not sit well with everyone. Food wise, items popular amongst customers here are their Pancakes Stack ($15), served with ricotta cheese, honey and crushed pistachios (extra $3 for a chunk of honeycomb), as well as their new Soba Salad. P.S. If you can't find the door, it's the gold one. 66 Horne Road, Singapore 209073 Image: OpenRice user rachelays 6. Windowsill Pies

Specializing in artisanal pies and tarts, Windowsill Pies is the dessert café to try whilst you’re in the area. Its cozy wooden cabin-like interior makes you feel right at home (or in the woods of a fairytale), especially with a wooden tree fixture and picnic benches for seats. Aside from some savoury dishes, the cafe serves sweet pies only. But with many robust flavours to choose from: Banana Almond Brittle ($7) - with salted caramel, tangy Strawberry Lemon ($7), Pineapple Passionfruit, Coconut Lime Vodka ($8), S’mores($8) - topped with toasted marshmallows and home-made graham crackers, Grasshopper($7.50) - think addictive after-eights and Camp Symmetry ($8). 78 Horne Road, Singapore 209078 Image: Windowsill Pies Facebook Page 7. Butter Studio

Butter Studio churns out beautiful desserts and pastries set to seriously tempt your sweet tooth. Handcrafted in the shop daily, indulge in their freshly made gourmet cupcakes, butter loaf cakes and artisanal tarts amongst others. Looking for brunch fare? Savour up some Savoury Buttermilk Pancakes or Cajun Chicken Burger and enjoy a freshly-squeezed Lemonade on the house. Do note that they too have a to-go outlet at Ngee Ann City for you to take away their sweet treats. 147 Jalan Besar Singapore 208865 Image: Butter Studio Facebook Page 8. Momiji Japanese Buffet

Popular amongst Japanese buffet enthusiasts, Momiji Japanese Buffet is our best bet for a decent spread in the Jalan Besar vicinity with a budget of about $30. Conveniently located in City Square Mall, the Japanese marketplace houses over 200 culinary selections under one roof, ranging from Teppanyaki and Tempura to Sashimi, Nabeyaki and of course, tons of desserts. The best time to drop by? Lunch hour on weekdays. Adults will get to enjoy a sumptuous spread for just $24.80++, while children and senior citizens pay just $13.80++ and $20.80++ respectively. City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, #05-04/06, Singapore 208539 Image: Momiji Facebook Page Local-traditional fare 9. Cheng Mun Chee Kee Pig Organ Soup

If you’re a fan of pig organ soup, the one from Cheng Mun Chee Kee Pig Organ Soup is a must-try. At $5.50, the bowl comes with a mixture of pig’s kidney, intestines, lean meat and salted vegetables and tofu. Not a fan of innards? Ask for meatballs only. Another dish worth trying here is the traditional Black Vinegar Pork Trotters ($5.50). Located near the recently-closed Lavender Food Square, this stall stays open till 5am daily, making it quite a popular supper spot for hungry night owls. 24 Foch Road, Singapore 209263 Image: OpenRice user roundtumtums

10. Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant

Craving for cheap dim sum at an odd hour? This wildly popular dim sum restaurant opens its doors to customers from 6pm to 6am daily (except Tuesday) and has a following so big that they have occupied most of the adjoining stalls and open areas from where they first started. Some of Swee Choon’s signature dishes include – Mee Sua Kueh and the Salted Egg Custard Bun. The former is flavourful alternative to the traditional carrot cake with additional pieces of mee sua to create textural diversity in every bite, while the latter oozes generously of steaming hot golden yellow salted egg yolk custard - a must order at every table. 183-191 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882 Image: Peh Yi Wen

11. Da Jie Famous Wanton Noodle

Besides priding themselves on extra springy wanton noodles served with crispy fried wantons and tender char siew slices that are slightly charred to taste, Da Jie Famous Wanton Noodle is well known for their Braised Chicken Feet. Simmered in dark soya sauce, it results in a thick and fragrant gravy with a perfectly textured chicken feet and braised mushrooms. Have them with noodles or do what everyone does — takeaway another serving to indulge in at home. 209 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208895 Image: OpenSnap user angliptak 12. Mei Xiang Black & White Fish Soup

Some dub it as the ‘best fish soup’ they have ever had in their lives. Interestingly, this fish soup stall opens daily at an odd timing of 10:12am and closes at around 3pm or when they are sold out. The bowls are also priced reasonably at $5 for a standard sized soup with rice and their signature chilli sauce. Head on over early and try some of their rich broth and delicious fish that is cooked to perfection. Berseh Food Centre, 166 Jalan Besar #02-44, Singapore 208877 Image: OpenRice user Tinkerbelle 13. Old Rochor's Beancurd

Located just across from Jalan Besar’s Punggol Nasi Lemak franchise, is Old Rochor's Beancurd, selling everyone's favourite tau huey -- bearing a silken texture that glides down your throat smoothly. Although they are a relatively new store, the recipe used is an old family recipe that has been passed down from the 1960s. The shop stays open till 2am daily, great for satisfying your late night tau huey cravings. Hoa Nam Building, 27 Foch Road #01-03, Singapore 209264 Image: Old Rochor’s Beancurd Facebook Page 14. Old Punggol Nasi Lemak

Everyone is familiar with this delicious Chinese-style nasi lemak and it has become a household name. With favourites such as their juicy deep-fried chicken wings to their tasty stir-fried vegetables and giant otah, it is no wonder that business has expanded to many franchises in the country. The fragrant coconut rice pairs up with their fiery sambal chilli well. If you have never tried it, today is a good time to. Jalan Besar Stadium, 100 Tyrwhitt Road, Horne Road Food Court, Singapore 207542 Image: OpenRice user yumzfood 15. Beach Road Scissor-Cut Curry Rice

Do not be fooled by the appearance of this rice dish. Slathered with generous amounts of curry, this Hainanese-style scissor-cut curry rice store has been opened for years and still garnering more and more customers daily. You can top your rice with their signature pork chop, a Hainanese curry rice staple, or other ingredients such as deep-fried prawns or cabbage. Every mouthful is a burst of flavour. 229 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208905 Image: OpenRice user roundtumtums 16. Kok Kee Wanton Mee

Originally located at Lavender Food Square, this iconic wanton noodle shop has maintained its ridiculously long queues for decades. Customers continue to flock back for more over the years as the undeniably tasty dish is worth every penny. Their noodles are cooked to just the right texture – al dente, avoiding the dreaded sogginess. The highlight of the dish is their homemade chilli sauce, which stands out on the plate. Is this popular dish worth the queue? We say yes. Lavender Food Hub, Hoa Nam Building, 27 Foch Road Singapore 209264 Image: Serena Pau 17. Ming Chung Restaurant

One of Singapore’s oldest Henghua restaurants, Ming Chung Restaurant has queues snaking all the way to neighbouring stores during dinner hours. Their traditional Xin Hua cuisine is so tasty and flavourful that you will definitely come back again and again. Signatures include Lor Mee (pictured), which comes with a clear gravy broth (in contrast to the local ones) with thick beehoon, best eaten with added vinegar. Get their delicious Sambal La La to go along with it and you will not be disappointed. The heat from the lala balances out the acidity of the noodles. 67 Maude Road, Singapore 208348 Image: OpenSnap user arlinahartono 18. Lai Huat Seafood Restaurant

Four words: Sambal Belachan Fried Fish. With several outlets all over Singapore, this zi char stall eatery is renowned for its must-try deep fried pomfret (priced between $28 to $50), buried under a heavy layer of sambal fried and hae bee, together forming a rich tasting combination of salty and spicy flavours. We recommend requesting for the belachan to be served on the side to keep the fish crisp. Other dishes worth ordering include the Fried Beancurd and Stir Fried Baby Kailan. 72 Horne Rd, Singapore 209075 Image: OpenRice user dairycream 19. People's Park Hakka Yong Tau Foo

Hakka Yong Tau Fu has been a staple for many locals here in Singapore and one store has been maintaining its loyal customer base over the years with their freshly made ingredients. People's Park Hakka Yong Tau Foo has a wide range of dishes to choose from and they are served in a flavourful broth. From the classic favourites such as Ngor Hiang and Fish Cake with Salted Fish, you are sure to be brought back in time with the delicious nostalgic taste that we all love. 290 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208953 Image: OpenRice user starsvera 20. New World Mutton Soup

If you are a big fan of herbal soups, you will enjoy the mutton soups here. The herbs that are boiled into the soup mask the strong taste and smell of lamb meat, while the mutton itself is tender and slides off the bone easily. Add some white vinegar into your soup for a sweeter and more flavourful taste. The chilli that accompanies the soup here is fiery hot, perfect for those who love the extra heat in their meal. Berseh Food Centre, 166 Jalan Besar #02-57, Singapore 208877 Image: OpenRice user CEIL JOVEN We're pretty sure you won't go hungry here. Written by Cheryl Chong and Peh Yi Wen See Also: Find the best restaurants in Singapore Check out the eateries nearby you