It’s no secret that the word ‘expensive’ is synonymous with the bustling Orchard Road. With an abundance of retail stores and luxury boutiques to wander into, a trip there almost always entails emptying your wallet.
Dining at this well-loved hotspot doesn’t have to be expensive, though. Yes, among the atas restaurants are plenty of affordable yet delicious eats beyond fast food and the usual chain establishments.
So, join me as I present the 11 best affordable Orchard Road eats so you’ll have more money for retail therapy. Whether you’ve heard of them already or not, these joints are too good not to gatekeep. Do also note that this list is not exhaustive, and you’re welcome to drop your recommendations in the comments if you’ve got a gem that deserves to be unearthed!
1. Fiie’s Cafe
Fiie’s Cafe needs no introduction. Otherwise affectionately known as Mr Grumpy Fried Chicken, this (in)famous cafe in Lucky Plaza is known for its owner’s fierce disposition and its amazing fried chicken. We’re talking about fried chicken so good it’s worth braving the perpetual snaking queues.
Be warned, though. The owner, Shafiie, takes on a stern demeanour towards seat hoggers and chope-ers as there’s a limited number of seats in the little eatery. That aside, he’s said to be pretty chill.
Fiie’s Cafe is a one-dish wonder — they sell just Chicken Rice (S$6.50), which you can have à la carte or in a hearty Combo (S$10) with a canned drink and your choice of 2 side dishes such as sambal quail eggs, begedil, chicken gizzard, chicken liver and boiled egg.
As its simple name suggests, each plate of Chicken Rice features just fried chicken and a mound of white rice. They’re accompanied by a pool of sambal and a bowl of robust soup on the side.
We need to talk about that legendary fried chicken; I’ve tried it myself and genuinely almost shed a tear. Each bite is a delightful combination of exceptionally crispy skin and moist, tender chicken flesh, complete with even more crunch from a light sprinkle of battered bits. It pairs well with the piquant sambal and fragrant rice, which is laced with notes of ginger and chicken stock.
A simple yet satisfying meal in its own right, and yes, it’s easy on your wallet.
Order Delivery: foodpanda
304 Orchard Rd, Lucky Plaza, #06-52, Singapore 238863
+65 9323 5305
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 5pm
Closed on Sun
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2. New Station Snack Bar
Family-run New Station Snack Bar has been a well-loved fixture of Far East Plaza ever since they opened 3 decades ago in 1994. Contrary to what its name might imply, this hole-in-the-wall eatery is less of a snacking affair than it is one for affordable zi char sets and dishes. With a pretty extensive menu to boot, it’s no wonder their tables are perpetually filled.
Fun fact! The owners’ daughter helms a zi char eatery of her own in Fortune Centre. Named New Station Rice Bar, it’s meant to be the ‘sister’ of her parents’ biz.
New Station Snack Bar is best known for their Salted Egg Pork Rice (S$6.50). This popular dish features crispy fried pork chop pieces doused plentifully in creamy salted egg sauce, served alongside a bed of white rice. Simple as it is, it has clinched a placement among the best salted egg dishes in Singapore in the books of many.
Other value-for-money zi char rice sets include Kong Poh Chicken Rice (S$6), Black Pepper Beef Rice (S$6.50) and the classic Sweet & Sour Pork Rice (S$6.50), which stars crispy pork cubes slathered in the namesake sweet and sour sauce.
There are plenty of options for noodle fans as well, such as Silky Egg Crispy Noodles (S$6/S$6.50), La La White Bee Hoon (S$6.50) and their famous wok-kissed Teochew Hor Fun (S$6).
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #05-95, Singapore 228213
+65 6734 2862
Daily: 11.30am – 8.45pm
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3. Jtown Cafe
Embarking on this listicle has led me to discover gems that I never even knew existed but have since cemented themselves among my go-to spots when I’m in town. One such gem is Jtown Cafe, an eatery that serves up solid Indonesian street food.
Nestled in the basement of the inconspicuous Midpoint Orchard, this is easily one of Orchard’s best-kept secrets. I may or may not have had to think twice about including it in this list. It’s too good not to be gatekept, though.
Don’t expect to see typical Indonesian dishes like ayam penyet or gado gado here. Instead, you’ll see many tucking into bowls of bakmie and bakso.
Jtown’s menu consists of 7 types of bakmie. Each bowl stars handmade wheat-based noodles topped with choy sum, shallots and chicken cooked in different styles. On my first visit, I had their signature Bakmie Ayam Jtown (S$6.50) and Bakmie Ayam Crispy (S$7.50) — featuring marinated chicken cubes and crispy chicken cutlet respectively.
I also opted for a side of Bakso Sapi (S$2.20 for 3 pieces) — a comforting, peppery soup with tasty, tender beef balls.
The Bakmie Ayam Crispy was my favourite item of the lot. The springy and chewy wheat noodles were tossed in sweet-savoury kecap manis and paired well with the crispy chicken cutlet, which was drizzled with more kecap manis. I see myself returning for this time and again, and you should too.
Spice-loving daredevils, let me put you on to the Bakmie Ayam Ijo Jtown (S$7.50) and Bakmie Ayam Balado Jtown (S$7.90). Embellished with green chilli and fiery hot balado respectively, these definitely aren’t for the faint-hearted.
That aside, the menu also has rice dishes like Nasi Ayam Crispy (S$7.90) and Nasi Ayam Lada Hitam (S$6.90), AKA black pepper chicken rice.
220 Orchard Rd, Midpoint Orchard, #B1-04/05, Singapore 238852
+65 9230 5040
Tue to Thu: 11.45am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 11.45am – 8.15pm
Sun: 11.30am – 8pm
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4. Ah Yen Traditional Fried Pork
Food courts are the place for affordable yet delicious eats, and the ones peppered throughout Orchard Road are no different. While you can’t go wrong with just about any stall, here’s one worth a special mention: Ah Yen Traditional Fried Pork at Wisma Atria’s Food Republic.
Ah Yen Traditional Fried Pork is a gem hidden in plain sight. The stall serves up delicious bowls of noodles and Sabah-style fried pork, and has been since its humble beginnings in the 1940s as a small hawker stall in Sandakan, a small town in Sabah.
At the helm of the stall are Chefs David Lee and Ace Tan, both of whom boast plenty of experience in the realm of fine dining. The food has to be good, doesn’t it?
You cannot miss out on the fried pork — if it’s in the stall’s name, you must try it. For a fuss-free meal, go for the Sandakan Fried Pork Rice with Fried Egg (S$8.50). This simple dish features a generous portion of their signature fried pork belly served with a mound of rice blanketed by a fried egg.
Each piece of pork is nicely seasoned and lightly coated with a fragrant, savoury batter that’s reminiscent of har cheong gai. You’ll be delighted to know that these crispy morsels don’t lose their crunch even if you choose to have them in Soup with your Sandakan Fried Pork Kway Teow (S$7.50). The combination of silky kway teow, rich broth and delicious pork is to die for.
Fried pork isn’t all there is to Ah Yen’s menu, though. There’s also Sarawak Laksa with Prawns (S$9.90) and Salt & Pepper Chicken Noodles (S$8.50).
Order Delivery: foodpanda
435 Orchard Rd, Wisma Atria, Level 4, Singapore 238877
+65 8792 4405
Daily: 11am – 3pm & 4pm – 10pm
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5. Miss Saigon
Aren’t affordable eats just the perfect pick-me-ups any day, any time? Miss Saigon perfectly embodies just that. Not to be confused with the acclaimed stage musical, this 24/7 eatery in Orchard Plaza serves up delicious, affordable bánh mìs and Vietnamese fare rather than stunning vocals.
It’s worth mentioning that Miss Saigon is helmed by the founder of the highly popular Bánh Mì Saigon in Ang Mo Kio. Yep, you can get their famed sandwiches in the heart of the city, and round the clock! Do note that there are limited seats for dine-in, though.
Just how filling can singular sandwiches be? You’ll know it the moment you lay eyes on Miss Saigon’s colossal bánh mìs. There are a total of 14 different types, each hefty bread parcel stuffed to the brim with their respective ingredients.
The classic choice would be the Bánh Mì Truyền Thống (S$8.90), or rather, Traditional Bread in English. The baguette is crispy on the outside yet fluffy on the inside, and is filled generously with refreshing pickled vegetables and savoury, smoky slices of mixed ham. Feel free to add an Egg (S$2) to your sandwich, too.
If you’d like something more toothsome, opt for the Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (S$8.90), which sees the baguette filled with huge chunks of sweet, tender grilled BBQ pork.
Bánh mì aside, Miss Saigon has a variety of other authentic Vietnamese dishes such as Bún Gà Quay (S$9.90), which consists of rice noodles, salt-baked roast chicken and a heap of fresh vegetables. Health nuts, this one’s for you.
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
150 Orchard Rd, Orchard Plaza, #02-56, Singapore 238841
+65 8925 3959
Daily: Open 24 hours
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6. Greenview Cafe
I’ve written about Greenview Cafe so many times — first a full review, then as part of my ‘best mee hoon kueh’ listicle, and now this one. Hey, I can’t help it if this powerhouse just ticks so many boxes.
Like New Station Snack Bar (#2), this no-frills eatery has been a mainstay of Far East Plaza for over 30 years. They’re best known for none other than their delicious hand-torn mee hoon kueh in a whopping 10 variations alongside a huge range of noodles, fried rice, soups and light bites.
If you’re torn for choice (pun intended), you won’t go wrong with anything from the mee hoon kueh menu.
Greenview Cafe’s best-seller is the Dry Minced Pork Mee Hoon Kueh (S$6), which features al dente hand-torn mee hoon kueh pieces tossed in a sweet-ish dark sauce, and topped with savoury minced pork, earthy shiitake mushrooms and mildly bitter mani cai. If you need something comforting for when you’re under the weather, get the Herbal Soup Mee Hoon Kueh (S$6.80).
I fervently recommend the Mala Mee Hoon Kueh (S$9.90); it falls under our budget anyway! The chewy noodles pair well with the fiery yet flavourful mala sauce mixture and are topped with quintessential ingredients like luncheon meat, napa cabbage and peanuts — what’s not to love?
Order Delivery: foodpanda
14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #04-16, Singapore 228213
+65 6734 2312
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 8pm
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7. Orchard Yong Tau Fu
Tucked away in Cuppage Plaza is Orchard Yong Tau Fu, a hole-in-the-wall eatery that doles out homely bowls of yong tau foo (duh) at wallet-friendly prices. Yep, their titular dish is an absolute crowd pleaser and one worth braving the perpetual long queues for.
You won’t see a wide variety of soups here; while most other stalls offer the likes of tom yum and laksa broths, Orchard Yong Tau Fu offers just an unadulterated, comforting yellow soybean soup. It’s delicious and full-bodied nonetheless, enriched with the sweetness of yellow soybeans and light, briny saltiness of ikan bilis complete with a dash of white pepper and shallots. No MSG is used either.
Despite its rather compact space, the eatery boasts a wide range of fresh YTF ingredients. These include classics like fish paste-stuffed chillies and lady’s fingers, eggplant slices and egg tofu, alongside less-common ones like salted duck eggs, lobster balls and fried you tiao.
Whichever ingredients you pick, they all go for S$0.90 per piece. With a minimum order of 7 pieces, each bowl of yong tau foo is priced from just S$6.30! You can pair your bowl with Rice or Noodles for an additional S$0.90.
5 Koek Rd, Cuppage Plaza, #01-09, Singapore 228796
Mon to Sat: 8am – 5.20pm
Closed on Sun
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8. Maddie’s Kitchen
Doesn’t the name Maddie’s Kitchen just sound so homely? With a menu of comforting zi char fare that’ll remind you of mom’s cooking, homeliness is exactly what this cosy restaurant in Far East Plaza exudes. It is quite literally a hidden gem, stowed away in a rather obscure corner on the second floor of the building.
If you’re cash-strapped, look no further than Maddie’s Hainanese Curry Rice sets. There are 4 types: Pork Chop Rice (S$6.80), Curry Chicken Rice (S$6.80), Braised Pork Belly Rice (S$6.80) and Assam Fish Rice (S$9.80), each as hearty and affordable as the other.
My personal recommendation would be the Pork Chop Rice. It is quite the full package, consisting of rice, pork chop, braised cabbage, a jammy sunny-side-up egg and, of course, an aromatic Hainanese-style curry to tie it all together.
The stand-out for me was definitely the pork chop — it possesses a delicate crunch from its light breading, which shatters onto the savoury meat within. Although each slice is fairly thin, the chop in its entirety is surprisingly filling.
Some other options for you to keep under your S$10 budget include the Fish & Lala White Bee Hoon (S$8.80), Vegetarian Hor Fun (S$8.80) and Batang/Fried Fish/Meatball Soup (S$7.80). If you’re willing to spend a little more, you shouldn’t give their signature Oyster Omelette (S$11.80) a miss!
Order Delivery: foodpanda
14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #02-10/11/12/13, Singapore 228213
+65 6365 0501
Daily: 11am – 9pm
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9. Isle Cafe
Now that you’ve made it beyond the halfway mark of this listicle, you should know well enough that you can easily get meals below S$10 along Orchard Road. How about meals below S$5? Yes, they exist, and you can find them at Isle Cafe.
Isle Cafe is an eatery chain that has various outlets situated in older malls in the area. Each offers an extensive menu of local mains, most—if not all—of which are priced at under S$5. Trust me when I say that the portions are very generous as well. These are precisely why many flock to these eateries, despite their less-than-glamorous dining atmospheres.
I visited their most popular outlet at Cuppage Plaza, and was greeted by multiple displays of freshly cooked food — from cai png ingredients, to economic bee hoon and a variety of deep-fried fritters and kuehs. Don’t be surprised if they have whatever you can name!
If you’re feeling indecisive (like I was), they also offer a range of fixed mains that you can choose from. These include the likes of Prawn Noodles (S$4.20), Lor Mee (S$4), Pork Bone Soup (S$4.50) and many more.
I strongly recommend the Curry Noodle (S$4.50), which consists of a generous portion of noodles drenched in aromatic, spicy and lemak curry, paired with a soft piece of potato and 3 sizable chunks of tender chicken. With a huge portion that’ll leave both your belly and palate satisfied, this dish packs incredible value for money (and I’m sure the others will, too).
5 Koek Rd, Cuppage Plaza, #01-03/04/05, Singapore 228796
+65 6887 3834
Mon to Sat: 7am – 7pm
Sun: 7am – 6pm
14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #02-66/67, Singapore 228213
+65 6735 2278
Wed to Mon: 10am – 8.30pm
Tue: 10am – 5.50pm
35 Selegie Rd, Parklane Shopping Mall, #02-08/09/10/11/12, Singapore 188307
+65 6337 1695
Daily: 6.30am – 8pm
400 Orchard Rd, Orchard Towers, #B1-07, Singapore 238875
Mon to Sat: 7am – 8pm
Sun: 7am – 5.30pm
10. Ofira Amazing Thai Food
While Orchard is home to a handful of Thai eateries lauded for their affordability, Budget Barbies will particularly love Ofira Amazing Thai Food. Why? This Muslim-owned establishment boasts an extensive menu of Thai classics and favourites with nothing priced above S$7.
Once again, it’s housed in none other than Far East Plaza, which has cemented itself as a haven for all things affordable where food is concerned.
Ofira has a wide variety of both rice- and noodle-based Thai mains. Their most popular item has to be the Basil Chicken/Beef Rice (S$6/S$7), which sees your protein of choice stir-fried with an umami sauce and aromatic basil leaves, paired with a mound of rice that has an egg draped over it.
Other favourites include the Phad Thai (S$6), Thai Tom Yum with Rice (S$6) and Green Curry with Rice (S$6), all of which star the punchy flavours of Thai cuisine that are sure to perk you up.
You can also complete your meal with sides like Thai Fish Cake (S$5.50) and Fried Chicken Wings (S$6), or end it on a sweet note with some Sticky Rice with Mango (S$6).
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #01-20, Singapore 228213
+65 8650 3055
Daily: 9.45am – 9pm
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11. Lucky Chicken Rice
No listicle is complete without a chicken rice stall, am I right? While you can find this universal favourite just about everywhere, tourists and locals alike should not brush past Lucky Chicken Rice.
This humble shop is located in Lucky Plaza (as its name may suggest) and has been since it opened in 1991. Although it’s tucked away in the inner corner of the second floor, it’s hard to miss because of the constant queues it racks up — a testament to the quality of their delicious yet affordable chicken rice.
Lucky Chicken Rice offers both roasted and steamed chicken; although, oddly enough, the roast chicken seems to be the more popular option.
The most sensible choice would be the Boneless Roast/Steam Chicken Rice (S$6.50), which consists of a plate of fragrant rice accompanied by a generous portion of tender chicken in a savoury soy-sesame sauce. It pairs well with the chilli, ground ginger and sweet dark soy sauce. Although you can request thigh meat instead, do note that you’ll be given chicken breast by default.
Down for a semi-splurge or a heartier meal? Opt for the Chicken Rice Set (S$10.50), which comes with an additional bowl of soup and a plate of taugeh. There are also 2-person sets priced at S$16.
If you have a preference for noodles, you can also find Roast/Steam Chicken Hor Fun/Noodles (S$6.50) or the Ipoh-style classic of Shredded Chicken Hor Fun (S$5.50) here.
Order Delivery: foodpanda
304 Orchard Rd, Lucky Plaza, #02-110, Singapore 238863
+65 6738 4175
Mon to Sat: 10am – 6pm
Closed on Sun
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