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The Best Foodie Guide on What to Eat in Tampines
- Salmon Mentai Don at Mentai-Ya
- Gelato Toppings at Three’s A Crowd
- Bakuteh & Fried Porridge at Old World
- Lobster Nasi Lemak at Lawa Bintang
- Curry Fried Carrot Cake at Song Han
- Seafood Tom Yum at Nimman Soi 9
- Chicken Chops at Tokyo Western Food
- Durian Smoothie at Penang A1 Chendol
- Tofu Bean Curd at Jin Hock Seafood Restaurant
- Salmon Mac ‘n Cheese at Kraft x Mexicana
- Peanut Butter Pancake at Granny’s Pancake
- K-Bulgogi Pizza at GOPIZZA
Located in Singapore’s lively East side, Tampines is a diverse culinary hub waiting to be discovered. Tampines has something to satisfy every palate, which might initially make you feel spoilt for choice.
Well, that’s what this guide is for—to round up the best things you can eat in Tampines and where to find them!
Salmon Mentai Don at Mentai-Ya
Address: 602B Tampines Avenue 9 01-01 Stall 5, Blk 602B Tampines Ave 9, #01-01, Singapore 522602 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6581888628
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–3.45 PM and 5–8.30 PM
Price: $
Expensive tastes meet budget-friendly options at Mentai-Ya where the salmon mentai don (rice bowl) exists for under S$9. It offers a generous portion of torched salmon topped with abundant mentaiko (cod roe).
The bowl was delicious, with flavourful teriyaki sauce drizzled over perfectly cooked salmon and high-quality rice grains. The staff also torches the food right before serving!
| Pro-tip: Food portions are large enough for sharing between two not-so-big eaters. |
Gelato Toppings at Three’s A Crowd
Address: 802 Tampines Ave 4, #01-11, Singapore 520802 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6567020700
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11 AM–10.30 PM; Friday to Saturday, 11 AM–11 PM
Price: $$
Three’s a Crowd is a halal-certified ice cream cafe in Tampines established in 2017. The cosy ambience is accentuated by wooden furniture and retro decor, making it ideal for quiet snacking.
It offers 18 flavours of ice cream alongside desserts like waffles, brownies, and affogato. The signature churros waffle features a scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream topped with almonds, cornflakes, and caramel sauce.
| Pro-tip: On cooler days, outdoor seating is available. |
Bakuteh & Fried Porridge at Old World
Address: 1 Tampines North Drive 1, #01-34, Happy Hawker, T-Space, Singapore 528559 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6591310136
Hours: Daily (except Mondays), 10 AM–2.30 PM and 4.30–8 PM
Price: $
Old World Bakuteh & Fried Porridge is located at Happy Hawkers. It’s renowned for its signature fried porridge dish and a menu featuring reasonably priced old-school favourites.
Try its tasty fried porridge to be rewarded with an umami-savoury-sweet palate with a hint of wok hei (charred aroma).
| Pro-tip: This cosy stall attracts a loyal lunch crowd from nearby office buildings and shopping centres, so expect a bit of queue during midday. |
Lobster Nasi Lemak at Lawa Bintang
Address: 9008 Tampines Street 93, Singapore 528843 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6596811073
Hours: Daily (except Mondays), 9 AM – 2 PM
Price: $$
Lawa Bintang elevates the popular nasi lemak with an extra-bougie yet affordable version featuring lobster. Its lobster nasi lemak features fragrant basmati rice, a sunny-side-up egg, sambal sauce, and crispy anchovies with peanuts.
The lobster is coated in a creamy blend of three cheeses and herbs, offering a subtly spicy flavour that complements the natural taste of the lobster. The chewy lobster meat is well-seasoned and easy to chow down.
| Pro-tip: Arrive early in the morning, as the lobster nasi lemak often sells out by 11 AM. |
Curry Fried Carrot Cake at Song Han
– Media from chiaksimi
Address: 137 Tampines St. 11, #01-07 Round Market & Food Centre, Singapore 522137 (Google Maps)
Contact: Unit 01-07
Hours: Daily (except Mondays and Thursdays), 6 AM-noon
Price: $
Singapore’s fried carrot cake is typically served in black or white versions. For those who can’t decide between them, Song Han’s fried black and white carrot cake offers both options in one dish!
What’s more, it offers a unique twist by adding curry powder to its carrot cake, resulting in a distinct flavour and aroma.
The addition of curry powder, sweetened chye poh (preserved radish), and shelled shrimp creates a unique flavour profile for each plate without overshadowing the soft, moist taste of the carrot cake itself.
| Pro-tip: If you like less of the curry flavour, the black version has soy sauce marinade to temper it. |
Seafood Tom Yum at Nimman Soi 9
Address: Block 139 Tampines St. 11, #01-08, Singapore 521139 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6580320887
Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 9 PM
Price: $
Nimman Soi 9 offers an extensive menu of three dozen dishes, including the classic spicy and sour tom yum seafood soup. The soup features huge prawns, fish, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs like kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass.
Another standout is the beef noodle soup, boasting sliced beef, beef balls, rice noodles, beansprouts, and a garnish of coriander. The bowl is fairly large so get your stomach ready!
| Pro-tip: Don’t forget to say hi to the friendly Thai owner who loves chatting up her customers. |
Chicken Chops at Tokyo Western Food
– Media from jean.fooddiary
Address: 823A Tampines Street 81, Singapore 521823 (Google Maps)
Contact: +659351 3077
Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays), noon-9 PM
Price: $
Western cuisine with a Hainanese twist is offered at Tokyo Western food in Tampines, served in an old-school hawker setting. It offers affordable classics like sirloin steak, fried chicken wings, fish and chips, or chicken/pork chop (all less than S$10).
The mains are served with crispy crinkle-cut fries, baked beans, cucumber slices, and toast. It’s great value for money if you want something more filling and with a little bit of everything.
| Pro-tip: Portions are just right for the average eater. |
Durian Smoothie at Penang A1 Chendol
Address: Tampines Street 81, #01-186 Block 822, Singapore 520822 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6588970673
Hours: Daily, noon-10 PM
Price: $
Penang A1 Chendol is a go-to in Tampines to indulge in refreshing and affordable smoothies to beat the tropical heat. It’s known for its chendol (shaved ice dessert) that’s meticulously prepared with a sweet fragrance.
But its durian smoothies, made exclusively with D24 durian, are the must-tries here. It offers a delightful and smooth texture (minus the aroma) that’s simply irresistible!
| Pro-tip: The avocado smoothie is also a good refreshing beverage. |
Tofu Bean Curd at Jin Hock Seafood Restaurant
Address: 844 Tampines Street 82, #01-131, Singapore 520844 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6567874255
Hours: Daily, 11.30 AM – 10.30 PM
Price: $$
Hidden Tampines gem Jin Hock Seafood Restaurant serves delectable zi char (small family-style) dishes. Heartier dishes include fried duck wrapped in egg crepe (battered and fried duck is wrapped in a light egg coating).
But we were pleasantly surprised with its salted eggplant “appetiser” featuring a delightful combination of crispy exterior and juicy interior, tossed in addictive salted egg sauce.
And the tofu bean curd comes in savoury oyster sauce with crisp preserved radish bits.
| Pro-tip: The shop welcomes dinner pre-orders if you don’t feel like queueing up for your supper. |
Salmon Mac ‘n Cheese at Kraft x Mexicana
Address: 820 Tampines Street 81, #01-526, Singapore 520820 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6565928561
Hours: Daily, 11 AM – 10 PM
Price: $
Situated in an HDB estate, Kraft x Mexicana offers a cosy dining experience for residents. Its quesadillas are soft and crispy, and the baked nachos make for a great alternative snack.
Its chicken chop portion is generous, slightly larger than palm-size. But what we really like here is the mac and cheese with salmon that’s rich and delicious with a perfectly baked crusty cheese topping.
| Pro-tip: There’s no GST or service charge here! |
Peanut Butter Pancake at Granny’s Pancake
Address: 138 Tampines St. 11, #01-148, Singapore 521138 (Google Maps)
Contact: +65 6538 9880
Hours: Daily, 7.30 AM – 4 PM
Price: $
Granny’s Pancake specialises in freshly baked min jiang kueh (turnover pancakes). These are filled generously with peanut, coconut, red bean, or peanut butter for as low as S$1.20 each.
We love peanut butter and appreciate how our order was generously filled and topped with extra peanuts and peanut butter by the friendly auntie!
| Pro-tip: There’s around a 5-minute wait time for each order, but it’s truly lovingly prepared (and therefore worth it). |
K-Bulgogi Pizza at GOPIZZA
Address: 1 Tampines Walk Our Tampines Hub, #01-44 Hawker Centre, Singapore 528523 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6565130522
Hours: Daily, 11 AM – 9 PM
Price: $$
Originating as a small food truck in Korea, Gopizza has defied conventional notions of pizza and become a local sensation. Its patented oven allows the shop to produce up to six high-quality pizzas in under five minutes!
A slice of beef bulgogi pizza is already a satisfying meal, featuring juicy and tender beef bulgogi with sweet teriyaki sauce and mayonnaise drizzle. But there are truffle mushroom and three-cheese pizzas for those who want to go meat-free.
| Pro-tip: Want some carb on your carb? Try the bacon potato pizza. |
