Singapore might be the world’s most expensive city, but it’s also the only first world country where you can indulge in spectacular Michelin star meals that cost less than five Singapore dollars ($3.5 USD).
In fact, the cheapest Michelin meal on earth can be found right here – at only two dollars per dish! Here is where you can eat like a king for bargain prices.
Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa
Food Stall, Asian
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Untrue to its name, 18-year-old Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa was not always famous from the get-go. The glorious Michelin-rated status did not come easy and owner Daniel Soo recalls trying times where he had to dispose of unsold laksa. But hard work and tenacity have paid off – Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa is one of Singapore’s finest hawkers today. The Asian Delight Laksa (four dollars) features generous amounts of seafood, for example – crayfish, cockles and prawns served in a lip-smacking broth that has been simmered in coconut milk, spices and dried shrimps.
Long before the Michelin Guide arrived in sunny Singapore, 85 Bedok North Fried Oyster was already a household name amongst Singaporeans for its orh luak. Their signature Teochew omelette is fried until golden brown – achieving a perfect crisp on the outside and a lovely starchy texture on the inside. Served with briny and plump oysters, it is indeed a steal at only three dollars for a small portion. The hawker stall is located inside Fengshan Centre and opens till 3am daily.
Commence your Little India exploration with an authentic Indian meal at Allauddin’s Briyani. Situated within the bustling Tekka Centre, the Michelin-listed Muslim hawker stall is proof that award-winning meals in Singapore can be affordable. Watch in awe as the cooks scoop aromatic curry from gigantic metal pots onto your orangey-coloured basmati rice. While you can choose from chicken, fish and mutton, it is the chicken biryani that has captivated the hearts of locals. The soft chicken meat falls off the bone effortlessly and is ridiculously delicious.
Chuan Kee Boneless Braised Duck is a new entrant in the Singapore 2018 Michelin Bib Gourmand Selection, but is no newbie to the hawker scene. Don’t be disheartened by the long line formed at this popular specialty duck stall, because the queue actually moves pretty quickly. Enjoy a whole flock of duck dishes here: duck rice, duck noodles and duck porridge at only three dollars per dish. The duck rice has stolen the limelight with its tender braised meat coated in viscous dark sweet sauce. It is accompanied with a bowl of robust herbal soup.
Word of Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa’s highly sought-after sizzling hot laksa and silky noodles has finally reached the attention of Michelin Guide inspectors (and deservedly so). Thanks to the added accolades, queues during lunchtime now take at least half an hour (despite its obscure location at Alexandra Village Food Centre). Their fiery hot gravy is a rich concoction of blue ginger, chili padi, coconut milk, lemongrass, shrimp paste, turmeric and other herbs. The end result – every mouthful packs a spicy punch!
Nobody saw it coming, but Liao Fan Hawker Chan was thrust into the global spotlight in 2016 when it was hailed as the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal. At only two dollars for a plate of soya sauce chicken rice, Liao Fan Hawker Chan is a dream come true for foodies. Everybody is obsessed with the succulent chicken and its thin glistening skin, which piqued the curiosity of gourmands from all corners of the world. Unsurprisingly, expansion plans swiftly ensued and the homegrown brand currently has four outlets across Singapore (and several spin-offs in other metropolises such as Bangkok, London and Melbourne).
Sitting in Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre, Michelin-starred Na Na Curry is where you can get your hands on a piping hot bowl of Peranakan-style curry. Do not underestimate the famous hawker’s chicken drumstick curry (3.50 dollars) – it is very potent and those with low spice tolerance must proceed with caution. However, patrons who can overcome the dish’s spiciness are in for a treat. The fork-tender drumstick and its complementing thick hot curry make a divine combo.
Despite the absence of air conditioning in Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, a relentless queue is formed outside Outram Park Fried Kway Teow every day. Regulars have no qualms waiting at least an hour to get their char kway teow fix. Flat rice noodles are skilfully stir-fried over high heat in a tangy dark sauce with bean sprouts and beaten egg to achieve a smoky aroma. Outram Park Fried Kway Teow is certainly the best of its kind in Singapore and prices start from only four dollars per plate.
When the founder of Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice at Margaret Drive Food Centre passed away, Singaporeans thought they’d lost their all-time favourite chicken rice forever. But it wasn’t farewell. His sons have continued the legacy and reopened Sin Kee Famous Cantonese Chicken Rice in Holland Drive. The chicken is poached to perfection; the skin is glossy and its flesh has retained a remarkable amount of juiciness. Served with fluffy white rice and thinly sliced cucumber, the brothers’ chicken rice is as superb as their father’s.
Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee is located in an unassuming spot in ABC Food Centre, but you can easily identify it from afar with its long waiting line. Donning a pair of goggles, 69-year-old Toh Seng Wang deftly whips up the tastiest Hokkien prawn mee in his sturdy wok – moist yellow noodles and bee hoon are doused in fragrant shrimp stock made from scratch. The dish is then completed with homemade sambal chili and the freshest prawns. The white-haired hawker legend has been preparing this heavenly dish at ABC since 1993. Sadly, he has no successors and nobody knows when it will be his last plate.
