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Hands up if you can’t get enough of Nanyang kopitiams! I sure can’t, which is exactly why I made it a point to swing by The Canteen by Tin Box the moment I caught wind of its opening. This fresh face is nestled conveniently in Bugis Junction and brings a plethora of familiar favourites to the table.
The Canteen swung open its doors a couple of weeks ago in early Aug 2025, marking lifestyle brand Tin Box Group‘s latest concept. It takes over the space previously occupied by the now-defunct Best Ah Ma Cafe — a similar Nanyang-inspired cafe by the same group, which also helms live music bars Simply Retro and Simply Live, among other well-loved joints.
What’s cookin’? You’ll find here just about every kopitiam staple you can think of — plus a few unique creations of their own (I’ll get to that soon). Think Kopi (S$2.50 Hot, S$3 Iced), Teh (S$2.50/S$3), Chee Cheong Fun (S$4), Prawn Laksa (S$7.90), Traditional Nasi Lemak (S$10.90) and the like. All easy on the wallet, too.
I was especially intrigued by the Asian Eggs Benedict (S$6.50), The Canteen’s take on this ang mo brunch staple — at just a fraction of the price you’d pay in cafes.
This dish comes with a duo of English muffins stacked with lettuce, bacon strips and a crowning fried egg (in place of the usual Hollandaise-doused poached eggs), served with a side of potato wedges. Though I couldn’t quite pinpoint what made it “Asian”, I enjoyed the combination of smoky bacon and runny yolk against the buttery crunch of the muffin.
I’ve already got my eye on the Asian Big Brekkie (S$10.50) next.
Time for something for a little more traditional. I went for the Curry Chicken Nasi Lemak (S$10.90), plated with the usual suspects: fragrant coconut rice, cucumber slices, sambal and a scattering of ikan bilis and peanuts, plus a bowl of curry chicken on the side.
My dining partner and I agreed that the curry chicken was the highlight of our meal. The gravy was creamy and aromatic, with a gentle tongue-tingling spice. The portion was plenty generous too, packed with soft potatoes and no less than 3 hefty chunks of tender chicken. While it lies on the higher end of the menu price-wise, I must say it definitely delivers bang for your buck.
Of course, how could I skip the Pandan Kaya Butter Toast (S$2.30)? Featuring lightly crisped bread slices sandwiched with a smear of not-too-sweet pandan kaya and creamy rectangles of cold butter, this was a solid take on the quintessential breakfast fave.
And if you want eggs with that, go for the Eggs & Toast Set (S$4.30), which pairs your toast with a couple of jammy soft-boiled eggs.
Finally, no kopitiam experience is complete without the kopi. I washed it all down with a cup of Kopi C Peng (S$2.80), which was a touch less sweet than I’d prefer but one I appreciated regardless for its gao brew.
Located in the heart of central Singapore, The Canteen is set to be an easy pick whenever you’re craving solid, fuss-free kopitiam classics. Swing by the next time you’re in Bugis — you might just spot me there!
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