11 best eats in Tiong Bahru that raise the 'bahr-u'

Yahoo

10-05-2025

Beyond being one of Singapore's most charming estates, Tiong Bahru is one of its most flavour-packed. From heritage hawker stalls to cosy cafes and crowd-favourite restaurants, this enclave dishes out a little of everything.
Whether you're here for some good grub or a lazy afternoon bite, this guide rounds up the 11 best eats in Tiong Bahru that raise the 'bahr-u' (pun fully intended). Because in a neighbourhood where old meets new and every corner tempts your tastebuds, settling for just one spot would be a disservice.
Loo's Hainanese Curry Rice is a Tiong Bahru mainstay, having served the neighbourhood since 1946. Located in Tiong Bahru Market, this beloved stall is one of Singapore's most trusty for gobsmacking Hainanese curry rice piled high with pork chop, braised cabbage and a golden sunny-side-up egg, wholly doused in luscious curry gravy.
Start off with a plate of Rice (S$0.80) generously drizzled in curry, then go ham on the ingredients. Spoilt for choice? We recommend the Sambal Sotong (from S$2) and the ultra-flavoursome Meatball (from S$2). Of course, don't forget the usual suspects: the quintessential Pork Chop (from S$2), Braised Pork (from S$2) and Cabbage (from S$1.20).
The curry is the real winner here — rich, addictive and laced with just enough spice and the fragrance of coconut milk. It's the kind of gravy that elevates everything on your plate.
30 Seng Poh Road, Tiong Bahru Market, #02-67/68, Singapore 168898 [phone] Fri to Wed: 8.30am – 2.45pm Closed on Tue
Few woes can't be solved with a good burger and Skirt & Dirt is just the spot for that. While hawker burger joints are aplenty, this one stands out for its signature twist. Touted as the 'Home of the Cheese Skirt Burger', this stall for hefty burgers sporting a flared, lacy 'skirt' of crisped cheddar cheese — alongside a variety of gourmet burgers made with quality ingredients.
Head straight for their signature creation: the Cheese Skirt Burger (S$9.80 à la carte, S$11 with Fries) in all its golden glory. The cheese skirt tastes as good as it looks, imparting a savoury, smoky crisp to the juicy beef patty — which oozes with sweet hints of onion.
The fries deserve a shout too. Lightly seasoned with Cajun spice, they're punchier than your standard side. You can also upgrade them to Cheese Fries or Dirt Fries (with nacho cheese, mayo, bacon bits, pickles and jalapeño peppers) for just S$1 or S$2 more, respectively.
Don't miss out on the other burger and Western platter offerings, including the Big Bad Wolf Pork Burger (S$8.80/S$10), Crispy Chicken Crunch Burger (S$7.80/S$9), Fish & Chips (S$7.80) and Hamburg Steak & Sausage (S$10.80).
P.S. Fret not if you see this spot marked as 'Temporarily Closed' — the Tiong Bahru Market is currently undergoing a 3-month renovation until 13 July 2025. Skirt & Dirt (along with its star-studded neighbours) will be back and serving soon after!
30 Seng Poh Road, Tiong Bahru Market, #02-66, Singapore 168898 [phone] Tue to Sun: 11am – 8pm Closed on Mon Facebook | Instagram | Website
With a colossal menu of nearly 150 dishes and a lively atmosphere, Por Kee Eating House 1996 is a hotspot for zi char feasts. Located in the heart of the neighbourhood along Seng Poh Lane, this stalwart has been serving up Cantonese-style zi char favourites such as cereal prawns, Champagne ribs and crowd-pleasing seafood dishes since — you guessed it — 1996.
Keep an eye out for a fiery spectacle in the kitchen, too. The chefs here cook with such flair and fervour, you'll often catch bursts of flames leaping from their woks as they whip up those dishes.
Eat the best of what Por Kee has to offer with the holy trinity of Crispy Roast Chicken (S$20 for Small, S$36 for Large), Champagne Short Ribs (S$26/S$39/S$52) and Crispy Butter Prawns (S$26/S$39/S$52).
The Crispy Roast Chicken is exactly as promised — soft, flavourful meat cloaked in a golden-brown skin that's roasted to crispy perfection. It's served with 5-spice powder for a little extra oomph if needed and prawn crackers for some bonus crunch. It's hard to go wrong with the Crispy Butter Prawns either: succulent, fresh prawns coated in a generous shower of cereal, curry leaves and red chilli.
Now, don't let the Champagne Short Ribs' boozy name fool you. These sticky, meaty ribs are caramelised in a sweet-savoury glaze that delivers on all the richness, none of the alcohol burn.
69 Seng Poh Lane, #01-02, Singapore 160069 [phone] Daily: 11am – 2pm & 5pm – 10.45pm Website
Is this really a Tiong Bahru food guide if we didn't include the iconic Tiong Bahru Bakery? While it's since become a household name with over 20 outlets across the island, this flagship at Eng Hoon Street is where it all began.
Famed for its masterfully baked croissants, pastries and well-brewed coffees, it's the perfect pit stop — whether you're people-watching, taking a coffee break or settling in for a productive work-from-cafe session.
Get yourself an oh-so-buttery Croissant (S$4.20) or a decadent Pain Au Chocolat (S$4.70) and you'll understand just how beautifully laminated a pastry can be. Alternatively, indulge in my personal favourite: the Kouign Amann (S$4.80) — a caramelised, disc-shaped delight that hits the sweet spot every time.
Pair your viennoiseries with a cuppa from their beverage line-up, including the likes of Cappuccino (S$6/S$8 Hot, S$7 Iced), Piccolo Latte (S$5.50) and Earl Grey Lavender Tea (S$5.50 Hot, S$6.50 Iced).
If you're after something a little heartier, Tiong Bahru Bakery also offers savoury options such as the Mortadella Truffle Sandwich (S$16), Roast Beef Croissant (S$12.60) and Salmon & Spinach Quiche (S$12.50).
56 Eng Hoon Street, Tiong Bahru Estate, #01-70, Singapore 160056 [phone] Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 8pm Sat & Sun: 8am – 8pm Facebook | Instagram | Website
Korean food fans, this one's for you. Hailing straight from the motherland, Kelim Dakdoritang is a well-known establishment with 6 decades of history and multiple outlets across the country. While it offers familiar favourites like bulgogi, army stew and Korean fried chicken, the brand spotlights lesser known — yet equally delicious — Korean classics.
A must-try is the Dakdoritang (S$39.90/S$59.90/S$69.90), a spicy chicken stew featuring generous chunks of tender chicken, chewy tteokbokki and leek. Perfumed with a copious amount of garlic, it's savoury, comforting and far less fiery than it looks.
You can also level up the dish with add-ons such as Kalguksu (S$4.90) or the Kelim Sari Combo (S$14.90), which consists of luncheon meat, ramyeon and enoki mushrooms.
Other interesting finds on Kelim Dakdoritang's menu include Cheese Gyeranjim (steamed egg) (S$12.90), Chicken Gizzard (S$15.90), Kimari (Korean fried seaweed rolls) (S$10.90) and Haemul Pajeon (S$24.90) — a crisp pancake packed with seafood.
55 Tiong Bahru Road, #01-37, Singapore 160055 [phone] Daily: 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 12am Facebook | Instagram | Website
In a world of cafes and patisseries, traditional bakeries just hit different. If you're craving that whiff of nostalgia, head down to Happy Oven. Guided by its sweet, meaningful slogan — 'Modernising Tradition' — this lovely old-school bakery at Beo Crescent takes pride in an honest array of cakes and treats, all baked from scratch. Say goodbye to cake mixes and pre-made confections; hello, flour, butter and sugar.
Beyond serving up fresh, healthy bakes, this family-run business also strives to keep its prices wallet-friendly. What's more, they're halal-certified!
Fun fact: Happy Oven is the OG creator of the Ondeh Ondeh Cake. Priced at S$1.60 per slice, this nostalgic treat features gula melaka-laden coconut shavings and buttercream snuggled up in a moist pandan sponge that is topped with more desiccated coconut. I can totally imagine myself walloping 5 of these in one go!
Another standout in the cake arena is the Sugar Roll (S$1.20 per slice), a delicate creation of light, fluffy sponge layered with milky buttercream filling, finished with a dusting of crunchy sugar crystals.
Now, for the pastries. We adore the Apple Crumble King (S$1.60) — a fun-sized apple crumble tart with an impeccably crunchy crust and a not-too-sweet apple filling. The Chocolate Eclair (S$1.60) and Classic Cream Puff (S$1.60) are also solid picks, featuring crispy choux pastry filled with light house-made chocolate cream and silky custard respectively.
40 Beo Crescent, #01-08, Singapore 160040 Daily: 5am – 7pm Facebook | Instagram | Website
Big Bakery: Over 40 affordable old-school bakes like handmade crumble pies, cakes & buns
New Zai Xing Vegetarian is your answer to a hearty, nostalgic breakfast. This crowd-favourite vegetarian bee hoon stall has been run by a dynamic mother-son duo for nearly 3 decades, and now operates from the ever-popular Tiong Bahru Market, following its relocation from their original Seng Poh Road shophouse.
New Zai Xing's menu is a straightforward, with Bee Hoon (S$4/S$5), Mee (S$4/S$5) and — get this — Chicken Rice (S$5). Each standard set of Bee Hoon and Mee includes a generous medley of cabbage, tau kee, fungus, mock char siew and mock goose. The noodles are light and fluffy, pairing well with the flaky tau kee and mock meats that taste surprisingly close to the real deal.
You can also zhng up your meal with sides like Popiah (S$1), Ngoh Hiang (S$3), Curry Vegetables (S$3). But we implore you to try their renowned Mushroom Roll (S$3), featuring moist braised mushrooms encased in crispy popiah skin and deep-fried to a perfect char.
30 Seng Poh Road, Tiong Bahru Market, #02-36, Singapore 168898 [phone] Fri to Wed: 7am – 1pm Closed on Thu Facebook
Woah, Tiong Bahru seems to be home to many flagships; Merci Marcel being another illustrious establishment with its first outlet along Eng Hoon Street, right near Tiong Bahru Bakery.
With tipples, shared plates and a sun-dappled dining space, this snazzy French cafe buzzes with both French expats and locals looking for a taste of Paris.
You'll spot the Ravioles de Royans (S$21/S$35) on just about every table. This delectable dish features spinach ravioli filled with Tête de Moine cheese, topped with 3 intricately folded rosettes of the same. The pasta is cooked to a perfect al dente, and is rich yet not jelak in the least.
Always wanted to try ratatouille? Here's your chance. Merci Marcel's French Ratatouille (S$24) is a rustic, comforting dish of slow-cooked bell peppers and onions, seasoned with cumin, topped with coriander, and served with soft-boiled eggs and house-made flatbread.
Other highlights include the Seabass Ceviche (S$27) and Tarte Flambée #2 (S$28), a thin-crust pizza layered with Bleu cheese, pear, walnuts and baby spinach.
56 Eng Hoon Street, Tiong Bahru Community Centre, #01-68, Singapore 160056 [phone] Sun to Wed: 8am – 11pm Thu to Sat: 8am – 12am Facebook | Instagram | Website
Unless you've been living under a rock, chances are you've heard of Pralet. This cosy bakery cafe at Eng Hoon Mansions went viral for its pillowy donuts, sourdough sandwiches — all served up with an unpretentious charm that's made it a neighbourhood favourite since 2006.
Lo and behold, the glorious Burnt Butter Honey Glaze Donut (S$3.60). This highly-raved treat is coated in an ultra-indulgent glaze of honey, masterfully balanced with sea salt flakes and the smoky richness of burnt butter. One bite, and you'll be eyeing the Demi Dozen (S$20, 6 donuts). Mix it up with other flavours too — like the decadent Triple Chocolate Fudge (S$4) and savoury, chicken floss-coated Fairy Dust (S$4).
Sink your teeth into one of their Sourdough Sandwiches. Options include the Cheeky Avocado (S$13), which layers grilled chicken breast, cashew chipotle pesto and fresh veggies in garlic chye poh sourdough; or the Beef'in Cheese'in (S$14), packed with tender beef chuck, cheese, caramelised onions, gherkins and baby spinach on multigrain sourdough.
17 Eng Hoon Street, Eng Hoon Mansions, #01-04, Singapore 169767 [phone] Tue to Sun: 9am – 6pm Closed on Mon Facebook | Instagram | Website
Ever had… shark nuggets? Lor Mee 178 is a renowned stall in Tiong Bahru Market that serves exactly that — along with its signature bowl of rich, slurp-worthy lor mee. Call it a one-dish wonder if you like; this humble stall has earned multiple media features and accolades, including a coveted Michelin Plate for several consecutive years.
A standard bowl of Lor Mee is priced at S$4.50, with an add-on of Deep-fried Shark Nuggets at just S$1, bringing it to S$5.50 for a seriously satisfying fix.
One of the dish's biggest draws is the gravy, which is not as starchy or cloying as you'll find at many other lor mee spots. It has a robust sweet-savoury flavour profile with light herbal notes, enriched by minced garlic, chilli and vinegar. Most importantly, it clings beautifully to the chewy yellow noodles all the way to the last bite.
Now, about those shark nuggets. Lor Mee 178 is incredibly generous with them, doling out 4 hefty chunks with every add-on. They resemble the fried fish you'd get in a bowl of fish soup, but with a firmer bite. Even better, the batter stays crisp despite soaking in the gravy. The stall even throws in extra scraps of that crispy goodness for a pleasant textural contrast.
30 Seng Poh Road, Tiong Bahru Market, #02-23, Singapore 168898 Thu to Tue: 7am – 1.45pm Closed on Mon
Ah Chiang's Porridge could very well be your new best friend. Rain or shine, day or night, this 5-decade-old stall serves up belly-warming bowls of Cantonese-style porridge that just hit the spot. Open daily from 6.15am to 10.30pm, it's perfect for both breakfast and supper — and a long-time favourite among older folks.
Ah Chiang's best-seller is the Pork Porridge (S$4.50), a velvety-smooth jook packed with succulent minced pork balls and tender slices of lean meat. If you're a fan of offals, go for the Mixed Pork Porridge (S$5), which comes with pork liver and chewy intestines.
Other options include Fish Head Porridge (S$6.50), Century Egg (S$4.50) and even Salmon Porridge (S$4) among a plethora of many — proof that there's something for everyone.
65 Tiong Poh Road, Singapore 160065 [phone] Daily: 6.15am – 10.30pm Facebook | Instagram
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