Johor Bahru is definitely one place where many Singaporeans love to visit, whether for good deals or even better grub. However, most of us sane folks may remain in Singapore despite the border open, thanks to the 6 hour jam horror stories.
Despite all that, some may be pining for the classic lok lok meal that is truly one experience that cannot be replicated from the comforts of our homes.
Being a popular street food found in several parts of Malaysia, lok lok consists of skewered foods to be boiled in a steamboat, deep-fried, or grilled. With friends and family, it makes for a wonderful meal to bond and make memories!
These are some of the best lok lok spots in Singapore that also open late into the night, for those longing for the comfort food.
1. Dai Lou (大佬)
Located at Marina Country Club, Dai Lou boasts a stunning Punggol waterfront view featuring both traditional and original creations of zi char and lok lok on their menu.
Their namesake ‘Dai Lou’ (Cantonese for a big boss) draws inspiration from gangs seen in classic Hong Kong action movies. Like how the ‘dai lou’ takes care of his men, the head chef of Dai Lou does the same for his diners.
Prices begin from S$1.30 per skewer like their Corn Cob and Lady’s Finger. Each stick is colour coded at the end of the stick, indicating the prices of either S$1.30, S$1.80 or S$2.50. Naturally, meat and seafood lean to the costlier side.
Plus, this is one spot that nails it on the head with their superb sauces to pair with your savoury sticks. If you’re on the lookout for a chill supper place with food that goes amazingly well with chilled beers, this is definitely a go-to.
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11 Northshore Drive, Marina Country Club, #01-0R, Singapore 828670
+65 6920 7494
Daily: 12pm – 2am | 12pm – 10pm (zi char) | 10.30pm – 2am (lok lok)
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2. DLLM (Dinner Lok Lok Menu)
Bargain hunters, don’t skip on this. Short for Dinner Lok Lok Menu, every skewer sold by DLLM Lok Lok costs S$1 by default. Talk about getting a bang for your buck!
Enjoy sinful skewers from Taiwan sausages, smoked duck, and deep-fried squid dipped into their tangy and spicy chilli padi and lime sauce. There are even peculiar sauces like salted egg and nacho cheese to satisfy all sorts of taste buds. It’s going to be a messy affair, but what’s not to love? Add on a pint or two and gather with your kakis and plan for the great supper escape.
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47 Kallang Pudding Road, The Crescent@Kallang, #01-08, Singapore 349318
+65 8881 7168
Tue to Sun: 6pm – 3.15am
Closed on Mon
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511 Upper Jurong Road, 108 Coffee, Singapore 638366
+65 8518 0115
Tue to Sun: 6pm – 3.15am
Closed on Mon
3. Fat Po
If you’re a Whisk & Paddle fan, then you’d be stoked to know that the same folks own Fat Po, whose menu possesses more of an Asian twist. Yes, including lok lok!
For starters, the Lok-lok Classic Set (S$12.80) definitely rose to the occasion. Despite the preconceived notion that barbecued meats usually end up dry, the prawns still retained their moisture. Although it didn’t quite have the full experience (we need sauces!), belachan as a dip made up as a good substitute.
Indeed, the location is a tad far from the hustle and bustle but it’s one worth a visit if you like lok lok and fusion cuisine.
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10 Tebing Lane, #01-05/06, Singapore 828836
+65 6244 4505
Tue to Thu: 2pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Sun: 9.30am – 10pm
Closed on Mon
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4. LOK不LOK Bistro
I’ve got to admit: lok lok is undeniably one of the best things to feast on with friends. I mean, the variety of skewers and sauces easily make any gathering more interesting. Good news for party planners like me, LOK不LOK Bistro‘s got some of the best combos and variety for your next get-together.
Amidst the 45-odd skewers to choose from, the top picks are the Zai Er, Bakkwa and Broccoli & Fishroe Dumpling. This place is said to be very happening, with karaoke available for you and your friends to have a great time. And the best part? Each skewer is just S$1!
Besides the usual suspects, they do offer fries and ramen as well, which make good options for friends who aren’t big fans of lok lok.
401 MacPherson Road, Macpherson Mall, #01-01/02/21, Singapore 368125
+65 8788 1010
Sun to Thu: 4pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 4pm – 1am
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601 MacPherson Road, Grantral Mall, #01-35, Singapore 368242
+65 8788 1010
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 1am
Sat: 4pm – 2am
Sun: 4pm – 1am
5. LokLok 1991’s by Daniel & Meng
Want a nice coffee shop stall to munch on supper with your close ones? Night owls are sure to enjoy the fresh LokLok 1991’s by Daniel & Meng, which opens till 2am!
With assorted meat, vegetable, and seafood skewers going for as cheap as S$1, it’s so easy to have a good time without breaking the bank. Your skewers are deep-fried on the spot and seasoned with your choice of their 4 in-house sauces once cooked. Add a beer or two (but before 10.30pm!) to your lok lok spread and you’re all set for a night of good chats and chews.
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340 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Maxim Stars Coffee Shop, #01-1697, Singapore 560340
+65 9679 6209
Fri to Wed: 6pm – 2am
Closed on Thu
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6. Malaysia Local Delights
Now, don’t be fooled by the simple shopfront. Just a stone’s throw away from the famous Ponggol Nasi Lemak in Tanjong Katong, Malaysia Local Delights serves a rustic Malacca-style lok lok steamboat buffet (S$26.80 for Mon – Thu, S$28.80 for Fri – Sun) and many other familiar Malaysian dishes.
Unlike many places that expose food on trays that often attract flies, this place uses glass fridges to showcase the wide variety of skewered vegetables, assorted meats, and sliced abalone.
Of the lot, some of our favourites were scallop, beef, and cheesy sotong balls. The spicy Thai fishcake skewer was decent with a good texture as well.
My favourite way of eating lok lok is dipping these ordinary skewers into the thick and nutty sauce to well, make it extraordinary. The satay sauce complemented the meat skewers most, as compared to seafood. If barbecued satay skewers are too greasy for your liking, this might be a healthier alternative for you.
Supper spots are aplenty, but Malaysian Local Delights is a reasonably priced place with hearty lok lok variety that makes for a good chill spot in the Katong vicinity.
224 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437015
+65 6440 8378
Thu to Tue: 5.30pm – 1.30am
Closed on Wed
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7. Steamov
Despite being a steamboat restaurant, Steamov also offers lok lok to enjoy with an array of 10 soup options. You even get your own steamboat for extra exclusivity, perfect for those picky eaters and solo customers.
What’s more is that the ingredients are placed on conveyor belts, making for a cool scene as well as convenience when you dine. Rather fun, right?
The basic sticks (crabsticks, fishballs, etc) cost S$1 while premium sticks, which use a metal stick, cost S$3. There is even the usual steamboat meats at extremely affordable prices, which would make the experience all the more worthwhile.
Although the rest of the places on this list opens late, Steamov takes the cake, opening till 6am! Extreme insomniacs are sure to enjoy this place for some late night grub.
325 New Bridge Road, #01-00, Singapore 088760
+65 9380 3883
Daily: 11am – 6am
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367/369 Beach Road, Singapore 199579
+65 8737 3666
Daily: 11am – 6am
22 Cross Street, #01-50, Singapore 048421
Daily: 10am – 10pm
8. Good Time Lok
Located just a stone’s throw away from Paya Lebar MRT, Good Time Lok makes a mighty convenient place to eat some late night supper.
Along with the usual ingredients, there are unique ones like Shishamo Fish and Spicy Otah that are sure to cater to specific cravings. The best news is that they are all equally priced at S$1! Another plus point is also that some items are coated in a light batter before frying, which adds on extra crispiness.
A must-try sauce would no doubt be the Salted Egg, which this stall makes fresh daily. Look at all those herbs inside! Many Google reviews make the sauce out to be an excellent condiment with the fried lok lok. The crisp with that savoury flavour, what’s there not to love?
Block 1015 Geylang East Avenue 3, Geylang East Industrial Estate, #01-109, Singapore 389730
+65 8939 6768
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 4pm – 1am
Closed on Sun
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9. Lok Me Up
With such a humorous name, Lok Me Up is one of the few places that offers lok lok within the range of S$0.60 to S$1.20 per skewer! With more than half the menu being S$0.60, I am certain that the thrifty Singaporeans would dig this place (me included).
With over 40 varieties to choose from, Lok Me Up definitely is not little competition to the rest of the places on this list. Something that sets them apart would be the special seasoning dusted onto their lok lok. Be sure to ask for more if you like heavily flavourful food like I do!
Their mentaiko sauce looks delectable; imagining coating every bite with it is sure to make any mentaiko lovers’ mouth water. Not to worry, as garlic chilli and Thai sweet chilli will be available for the folks that adore that extra kick.
9 Toa Payoh Industrial Park, #01-1209, Singapore 319061
Tue to Sun: 2pm – 2.30am
Closed on Mon
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10. Fei Zhu Lok Lok
Fei Zhu Lok Lok may not be an unfamiliar name, considering how famous their outlet in Tai Seng was. With lok lok ranging from S$1 to S$2, it is no difficulty to determine why. They even offer atas options like Abalone Slice and Scallop, both at S$1. Talk about a steal!
A unique pointer about this particular lok lok place would be their Shiok Rice and Shiok Mee. Being Fei Zhu Lok Lok’s signature sauce, the Shiok Sauce is handmade and said to be a perfect kick of spice and tang. Those who love the sauce are welcome to buy them in tubs, which the stall sells on their own
For those who won’t feel full with just lok lok, Fei Zhu Lok Lok offers Truffle Onsen Rice Bowl and Curry Noodles, perfect for some extra carbs.
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A.K Zai Lok Lok is yet another place that offers a lok lok buffet at just S$19.90 per person! However, if you are vibing more for soup, a top up of S$10 allows you to pick between 6 different soup bases — Tom Yum, Mala, Laksa, Curry, Satay & Pork Bone. A dual base option is also available at S$15.
The stylish decor is sure to provide a relaxing place to chill with your friends, and it especially helps that this restaurant is known for their “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” cocktail deal. Get ready to party with some glasses of Pina Colada (S$19.90) or Mojito (S$10.99)!
It would definitely be recommended to bring an empty stomach as well as a couple friends in order to fully embody the full buffet experience.
259 Outram Road, Singapore 169056
+65 8626 1439
Daily: 5pm – 1am
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