If you’re a broke-ass Singapore student like myself about to enter university, you’re going to want to read this.
Unquestioningly, food has been part of a daily Singaporean culture, and this is of course extends to university students alike. University is all about that camaraderie of going out for that late night supper snack, and jio-ing your friends along on your latest food hunt just makes the experience a whole lot better. I mean, whats enjoying a couple of delicacies without the company of your best buddies?
Tertiary student life seems to involve a lot of late night budget eating, and many of these spots below cater just for that. Enjoy.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Located in the far west of Singapore, NTU being inaccessible to food (or anything else for that matter) is an understatement. It’s like studying in the jungle. Here’s some options to help you out.
1. Power Nasi Lemak
The famous Power Nasi Lemak over at one of NTU students most frequented supper joints definitely packs a powerful punch. Long queues are seen through day and night from hungry souls looking for that ultimate Singapore comfort food of juicy fried chicken and fragrant coconut rice. Don’t miss out the nearby dessert stall (Ice Garden) as well. Their unique combinations of ice blended creations will be the perfect satiation for an end to a meal.
Address: Boon Lay Place Market and Food Centre, 221 Boon Lay Place #01-06
2. S11 Eating House (Boon Lay)
Another common haunt for late night hostel bunkmates craving for a bite, this place is just a few bus stops away from NTU (take bus 179). More widely known by students as ‘extension’, their fried oyster omelette and fried, fish beehoon soup and sambal chicken fried rice receives raving recommendations from almost all students here. Try it to believe it.
Address: Blk 964 Jurong West St 91, Singapore 640964
3. Jurong West Frog Porridge
Featuring one of the best kinds of supper food of all time, the frog leg porridge at block 491 will certainly satisfy your late night cravings. Although it requires a drive/ bus ride out, it still is pretty near the NTU campus, and yes, so worth it.
Address: Blk 491 Jurong West Ave 1, Singapore 640491
4. Al-Azhar Prata
Of course, the classic late night Prata that no one student can resist. With a fluffy texture but a crisp, buttery-like exterior, dipped into the rich coconut based curry, Al-Azhar does their prata right. You know you’ll be there.
Address: 11 Cheong Chin Nam Road, Singapore 599736
5. Hall 2 canteen
Canteen 2 is known for its wide array of delicious local fare. One of our top picks is the Ayam Penyet ($4.50), with its crispy exterior encasing a moist, tender portion of chicken thigh. Definitely pair it with their samba belachan for a fiery hot sensation.
6. Pioneer MRT
Famous for their economic beehoon, the foodcourt here is even endearingly nicknamed after the stall itself. Don’t be quick to belittle “Ah Lian Beehoon’s” unassuming economical beehoon, for NTU students will testify that their tasty fried beehoon proves to be one of the best, most comforting supper haunt around.
From what I found out, Hotbox delivery is a student delivery service catering to the whims of late night NTU student cravings. They provide delivery for popular supper foods from the nearby food spots for hungry students studying into the wee hours of the night.
National University of Singapore (NUS) / Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
Both local universities are in the Dover area and can look to these comforting finds for hungry students alike.
1. Al Amaan Restaurant
Al Amaan Restaurant is located at Clementi road, near NUS. They serve Thai, north Indian and western styled cuisin while opening all the way till 3am – the favorite timing for hungry students to prowl the streets. Although having a strong reputation amongst the university students, rumour has it that standards have dropped in recent times.
Address: 12 Clementi Rd, Singapore 129742
2. Niqqi’s The Cheese Prata Shop
Open 24/7, prata joints are usually the hangout place for students to enjoy a late night supper snack. And Niqqi’s proves to be the epitome of such a description. Crowded with NUS students with raving reviews for their Roti John ($2.50). Using thick, fluffy french bread, it is pan-fried in a beaten egg mixture akin to french toast, Singaporean style.
Address: 18 Clementi Rd, Singapore 129747
3. Formosa Delights
Just a 5 minute walk away from Eusoff Hall, Formosa Delights presents a hearty meal of chinese ja jiang man style homemade noodles, a humble, down-to-earth stall that has since captured the hearts (and stomachs) of many students alike.
Address: 20 Clementi Road, Singapore 129749
4. Wah Chee
A humble zi char spot famous not just with the university students, but also with ACJC. Wah Chee serves up fried rice, salted egg sotong and butter chicken amongst many other Chinese delights for a casual meal.
Address: 3 Dover Road, Singapore 130003
5. The Deck
The Deck or also known more colloquailly to students as the NUS Arts Canteen, sees good food at affordable prices much unlike SMU’s overpriced food court.
Of worthy mention is the Yong Tau Fu stall which only costs $0.30 per choice of ingredient! At such prices, there’s no wonder the queue is perpetually long. The Western food stall also serves very affordably priced chicken chops that will satiate any student’s hunger and wallet.
Address: NUS Arts Canteen
6. Reedz Cafe @NUS
A casual business cafe that promises flavoured coffees and decently priced dishes like pastas and muffins. The food isn’t exactly ‘blow your mind’, but being a tertiary cafe you can’t complain much at the value.
Most foods are only served for lunch though, so by evening its more a chill-out spot for overstressed students.
Address: 15 Kent Ridge Drive, Mochtar Riady Building, #01-03, Singapore 119245
Singapore Management University (SMU)
Students of SMU are probably the most spoilt for choice since SMU is located in town (It’s also Seth’s alma mater). Here are some great student friendly meals other than the multitude of expensive restaurants in the area.
1. Standing sushi bar
Deviating from your run-of-the-mill Japanese dining concept, Standing Sushi Bar presents a unique but quality casual dining scene where patrons can mingle and have their sushi whilst standing, perfect for students on-the-go.
Address: 8 Queen Street, #01-03 Singapore Art Museum, Singapore 188535
2. Parklane Zha Yun Tun Mee House
Parklane Zha Yun Tun Mee (Wanton Mee) is located in Sunshine Plaza, occupying 2 units opposite each other. Its popularity is such that celebrities have visited this stall despite its more recluse location. Springy noodles with just that right amount of dark sauce, the wanton dumplings are the highlight of this crowded eating venue.
Address: 91 Bencoolen St, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
3. Rochor Beancurd
Featuring silky smooth soy beancurd, Rochor beancurd has captured the hearts and stomachs of many Singaporeans. It has gotten so famous such that this branch over at Selegie Road is often quoted by many to be the ‘best in Singapore’.
With such a soft, refined consistency drenched in sweet sugar syrup, this humble local dessert remains a prime location for students in SMU, especially with its late closing hours to cater to over-stressed students.
Address: 2 Short Street, Singapore 188211
4. Thai Gold Food
Serving authentic and flavourful dishes at just a fraction of the price (around $10), it is no surprise that Thai Gold Food sees crowds of students all the time. A great place to congregate over some hearty Thai dishes, it remains the favourite supper haunt of many university camp groups who decide that sleep is for the weak.
Address: 91 Bencoolen Street, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
5. Leong Yeow Famous Waterloo St. Hainanese Chicken Rice 亮耀
Probably the most popular chicken rice in the bras basah area, Nan Tai Eating house itself is a favorite option for SMU students to head to for lunch despite the sweltering heat. The most famous stall of course, is Leong Yeow Famous Waterloo Chicken rice. Queues can be crappily long, so do be patient. Oh, there’s an alternate queue for people who want to da bao (take-away), so be sure to join the shorter one if you’re packing it to go.
Address: 01-29, Nan Tai Eating House, 261 Waterloo Street, Singapore 180262
Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)
Located in Clementi, this huge global academy requires you to drive/bus out to the neighboring areas to find any form of decent food. Forget about the on-campus food.
1. Top 1 Handmade Noodle
One of the best handmade noodles around town, the stall here at Beauty World Centre is definitely worth a drive down. A tangy savouriness characterised by sambal belachan and black soya sauce, this rustic shop exudes a certain old school charm about it, and is definitely worth a try.
Address: 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588177
2. Clementi 448 Market & Food Centre
You have got to try their Fried Oyster Omelette, Song’s XO fried fish been, and the sesame oil chicken (Soon Huat’s Cooked Food) here. With such decadent cuisine, it is no wonder this place is a favourite amongst residents and SIM students alike. With an unabated variety of great food to choose from, you’ll definitely be able to find something you fancy here.
Address: 448 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120448
3. Bar Bar Black Sheep
We all are familiar with a wallet-emptying trip to the nearby bar, especially with the rising prices of alcohol. But Bar Bar Black Sheep offers a more affordable option to students here, with one of the cheaper beer towers you can find around Singapore ($48 for Carlsberg). Proving to be a great place to unwind after a long day at school, they offer excellent Thai, Western and Indian cuisine as well.
Address: 501 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259760
Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
This East Coast campus seems to be the polar opposite of NTU, located right on the other end of the island. Foods in the east of Singapore are a lot more vibrant though compared to the west.
1. Simpang Bedok
One of the most heartwarming scenes to find yourself at for supper, you often see people from all walks of life congregating at Simpang to enjoy a hearty get together with friends or family. Almost all the stalls here open till late, and until then, enjoy a crispy prata or tuck in to that inviting murtabak. To add on, the hawker centre on the second floor has just revamped into a hipster-ish, night spot. so be sure to check that out.
Address: Bedok Market Place, Jln Simpang Bedok
2. Bedok 85 Fengshan Centre
Ask any eastsider, and they’ll tell you, Bedok 85 is the place to go for some good supper eats. A must try here would be the Bak Chor Mee, Sambal stingray, Chicken Wings, oyster omelette, or actually, anything you can get your hands on. It is that good. No wonder students of SUTD love coming here.
Address: Bedok North Street 4, Singapore 460085
3. Fart Tartz
Loving their unique new concept of introducing edible garden plants as dessert, Fart Tartz is slowly but surely, drawing in the crowds in the east. With a light and spacious interior, coupled with great food and dessert to match, Fart Tartz is certainly a great place to dine (and study) at.
Address:1 Expo Drive, #02-04 Singapore 486150
4. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh
The all renowned Song Fa has opened a branch over at the UE Bizhub (East) to cater for the office crowd, and SUTD students rejoice, for its just a stone’s throw away from your campus as well! The authentic and ‘gao’ taste of their soup is what draws in regular patrons, where this local delight is definitely something you shouldn’t miss out on!
Address: 6 Changi Business Park Avenue 1, UE BizHub East (North Tower Office) #01-38 Singapore 486017
5. Table Manners
Over at Changi City Point, Table manners spruces up the usual lunch scene with its tasteful decor and even better tasting food. With a relaxed atmosphere, it sets a casual vibe for lunch yet still remaining refined enough for dates. Tuck into their truffle capellini with organic egg ($19) or the signature TM ribs ($20; half rack) for a gastronomic treat.
Address: 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, Changi City Point — The Oasis #01-68/69, Singapore 486038
——————
Editor’s End Notes
Any other secret food spots to help out your fellow students? Do contribute in the comments!
