Having a full-time office job is not something easy to get used to. The first time I had such a job was a six-month internship in the CBD. Waking up early everyday was draining and difficult to adjust to.
Also, being stuck in an office all day meant that I did not expend a lot of energy. Regular food portions became too large or too heavy for my liking and I end up going into a food coma, which becomes counter-productive when you just want to take a nap at work.
The solution? Light salads or other clean, wholesome, healthy meals, which are sure to give you energy boosts instead of inducing sleep. Whether or not you are like me, or just want to eat healthily, here are 12 places to go for during your lunch break in the CBD.
1. Shinkansen
Named after Japan’s bullet train, Shinkansen aims to provide, quick healthy food. A Japan meets the West salad bar, you can choose from their signature menu, or create your own bowl of salad, rice, quinoa or soba by choosing from over 35 toppings. Want to avoid the queue? Their outlet at Ocean Financial Centre provides delivery and pickup after you order online from shinkansen.oddle.me.
Shinkansen: Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, #B1-08, Singapore 049315 | Website
United Square, 101 Thomson Road, #B1-60A, Singapore 307591
100am @ Tanjong Pagar, 100 Tras Street, #03-22, Singapore 079027
2. Wheat Baumkuchen
Wheat Baumkuchen started out as a store selling ‘baumkuchen’, or a German spit cake, a pastry that has been popularised in Japan. It has however expanded its repertoire to include savoury food. Enjoy different types of sides and noodle dishes that are healthy and refreshing. A hit with office ladies is the Seagull ($10.00), which serves Shirataki Noodles that has close to zero calories and contains no carbohydrates at all.
Wheat Baumkuchen: Asia Square Tower 1, Food Garden, 8 Marina View, #02-02, Singapore 018960 | Tel: 6535 0277 and 6443 3391 | Website
One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place, #B1-23, Singapore 048616
3. Project Acai
This berry has been gaining popularity as of late, thanks to its numerous health benefits such as being high in antioxidants, fibre and omegas 3, 6 and 9. They offer a range of smoothies and their Acai Bowl, which is has a base of blended organic acai, granola and toppings of fresh fruit and other superfoods like chia seeds. Munch away at their tasty and wholesome fruits and get a health boost for the rest of the day.
Project Acai: 391 Orchard Road, #B2-32A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872 | Website
4. Afterglow
Afterglow is a beautiful cafe that has a menu full of plant-based foods. Before you dismiss it as boring, check out their menu which features all sorts of items, from Clear Tom Yum Broth to Raw Burgers and Deconstructed Sushi Bowls – all made from vegetables and fruits. Chefs here like to get creative, so the items change every few months and keep customers going back for more.
Afterglow: 24 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089131 | Tel: 6224 8921 | Website
5. Salad Stop!
Choose from a selection of signature or classic wraps or salads, when you eat here. If not, create your personal salad by choosing your own ingredients! The servers are really generous in adding the various toppings so you would surely get your money’s worth. Still hungry? Grab one of their healthy mueslis, cookies or cake to complete your meal.
Salad Stop!: More than five outlets click here | Website
6. Whole Earth
Serving vegetarian versions of Thai-Peranakan food, this restaurant seems to execute with ease the conversion and adapting of cultural dishes into modern, ones. Their slow-cooked Nyonya Curry, which takes eight long hours to prepare, is one of their top dishes there. Having opened in 2003, way before going vegan or vegetarian was the trend, it is impressive that it has already been more than a decade since the opening. This surely is proof of their appeal.
Whole Earth: 76 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079331 | Tel: 6323 3308 | Website
7. Real Food
Not only do you get to enjoy healthy food, book lovers can indulge themselves in a cosy reading session by selecting one of the many books off their library shelves. The menu offers quite a number of items as well, from pasta, all day breakfasts, rice, noodles, snacks, soups and organic beverages. Look out for their drinks; they have coffee, tea, smoothies, dairy free milk and more. The options are aplenty and are sure to please everyone.
Real Food: 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, The Central, #B1-52/53, Singapore 059817 | Tel: 6224 4492 and 6737 9516 | Website
110 Killiney Road, Tai Wah Building, Singapore 239549
8. Lins Smoodees
Fancy yourself a detox? If you do not know where to start, Lins Smoodees is a good place to go. Besides offering regular dishes and juices, they have packages designed to help cleanse your body. Check out their various series such as Purity Cleanse Lunch, Pick Up & Yoga Cleanse and more, or sign up for their delivery packages to get fresh juices delivered to your doorstep! Their concoctions are sure to get your system clean and going again.
Lins Smoodees: 491 River Valley Road, #01-13 Valley Point Shopping Centre, Singapore 248371 | Tel: 6735 7823 | Website
9. Juiced Rawbars
Typical fresh salads and wraps are not the only things you can order from Juiced Rawbars. They also offer Saj, a flatbread common in Middle Eastern countries. If you get bored of the usual, spice up your meal by ordering this and get to choose from 10 different flavours. You can also customise your own juices here, so get creative!
Juiced Rawbars: 9 Raffles Place, #B1-08 Republic Plaza, Singapore 048619 | Website
10. Angel’s Bistro
They serve mains and specials which change everyday, from raviolis, to tom yum soups and Japanese curry. The store has been around 2006, and is pretty known among vegetarians. Try their Healthy Laksa, which substitutes the coconut milk with soy milk, for a healthier and lighter version of the dish.
Angel’s Bistro: 28 Stanley Street, Singapore 068737 | Tel: 6220 4344 | Website
11. QQ Rice
This Taiwan franchise has many stores popping up in Singapore. Specialising in rice, QQ Rice gives you six different types of rice to choose from: brown rice, wheat germ brown rice, mixed grain purple rice, Wheat Five and Red Rice. They also have oat rice dishes, rice rolls and even desserts like pudding. Get a huge and generous portion when you customise a rice roll, perfect for keeping you fueled for the rest of the day.
QQ Rice: One Raffles Place, 1 Raffles Place, #B1-07, Singapore 048616 | Tel: 6515 9905 | Website
Tanjong Pagar Xchange, 120 Maxwell Road, #B1-45, Singapore 069119
12. ‘O’ Bean Organic Soya Store
Besides soya bean drinks and desserts, ‘O’ Bean Organic Soy store serves savoury dishes, many of them with healthy soya bean as a base like with the soups and porridge. They also have common and popular items such as burgers and spring rolls. Tasty dishes that come in a variety – this certainly debunks the myth that vegetarian food is boring and unappetising.
‘O’ Bean Organic Soya Store: 83 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088504 | Tel: 6636 4656 | Website
