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Guess who’s back? After being sold for a stunning S$40.5 million last Dec, this 4,198 sq. ft. kopitiam at 261 Serangoon Central Drive has reopened with 8 out of 16 stalls offering wallet-friendly meals from S$3. What’s more, it operates for 24 hours.
Yes yes, pick that jaw off the ground.
Now helmed by food-centre chain company Broadway, it is among the many privately operated coffeeshops participating in the Budget Meal Initiative that was rolled out by the Ministry of National Development (MND) and Housing & Development Board (HDB) in March 2023.
According to this Press Release by HDB: “Budget meals include lunch or dinner options that are typically priced at S$3.50 and below, and drinks priced at S$1.20 and below.” Therefore, it is also required for the participating coffeeshops to include “at least 4 budget meals and 2 budget drink options.”
Now that we’ve covered the nitty gritty, let’s get to the fun part.
Boasting the essential range of local favourites from yong tau foo to bak kut teh, Broadway tastefully covers tantalising offerings from stalls such as Jem Mala Xiang Guo and Obba Jjajang Express! If you’re here to get a bang for your buck, though, here are 3 stalls to look out for.
1. Yishun 925 Chicken Rice
Despite a gentle precaution that states “only Breast Meat”, Yishun 925 Chicken Rice’s S$3.50 Budget Meal is a generously sized portion.
With the standard option of Steamed or Roasted Chicken, their plate of fragrant rice has juicy cuts of chicken and savoury skin (I have seen higher-priced stalls that skimp on the latter so this was a plus point for me). That complimentary bowl of clear soup is light on the palate as well.
2. Tong Luck
This 24-hour cai fan stall is Broadway’s in-house brand. Depending on your dish of choice, Tong Luck’s Budget Meal can range from S$2.50 onwards.
But confirm less than S$5. Quick calculation ah, my usual order of Rice (S$0.70) + Steamed Egg (S$0.90) + Cereal Fish (S$2) amounts to S$3.60. Not bad! They also have a Breakfast category that’s worth a try — it includes Bee Hoon (S$1.20) with sides like Otah (S$1.60).
3. Ah Ma Chi Mian
Unless you live under a rock in the mountains, the omnipresent Ah Ma Chi Mian should not be unfamiliar.
According to a staff member, their Budget Meal at S$3.90 is only available at selected outlets with Serangoon’s Broadway being one of them. Topped with 3 QQ fishballs nestled on strands of comforting flat noodles, this Fishball Kway Teow Soup came in a sizeable serving and tasted decent.
Well, these are my recommendations thus far. Other than those, be sure to check out Soldier Chicken‘s S$3 Mushroom Aglio Olio and Zuya Vegetarian‘s Bee Hoon/ Rice with Selected Dishes from S$2.50. Feeling the heat? Quench your thirst with Teh ‘O’ at S$1.20.
If this does not get you moving, the kopitiam is conveniently located 5 minutes from Serangoon MRT! Swee lor. In this economy, I am returning for more.
From Michelin stalls to satay bee hoon & lei cha, Hawkers’ Street at Tampines 1 is a must-visit!
