12 best lunch sets in the CBD below $20 for the budget Singaporean

Apart from fast food outlets, restaurants selling affordable lunch sets are few and far between in the CBD, or so you may think! If you’re willing to look hard enough, you’ll find that these seemingly mythological places do exist, and are just slightly elusive.

If you’re always wondering how to survive working in the CBD while still having a considerable amount of money left in your bank at the end of each month, I’ve got the best options for you.

Here are the best lunch sets in the CBD that cost below S$20.

How I chose the best lunch sets

These are the 3 main criteria I used to decide which lunch sets to recommend:

• Accessibility and convenience: I picked out places near the CBD.
• Affordability: Each of them price their lunch sets below S$20.
• Variety: They cover a range of cuisines so there’s something for everyone.

This isn’t a ranked best-to-worst list of lunch sets costing below S$20 in the CBD, but a collection of the best lunch spots in my opinion, in no particular order. Grab your wallets and get ready to enjoy these best affordable lunch sets in Singapore’s CBD! 

1. Salt & Soul

Who said that affordable food is only cai png and sandwiches? Salt & Soul serves up high-quality yet affordable Western cuisine. Tucked away in Frasers Tower, this Western restaurant has proper lunch sets from S$17++ onwards, which get you 1 main and 1 starter of your choice. Salt & Soul’s lunch service runs from 11.30am – 3pm.

For mains, choose from Aglio Olio, Carbonara, Spaghetti allo Scoglio and Beef Bourguignon. If you choose Spaghetti allo Scoglio, it will cost an additional S$2, while Beef Bourguignon will cost an additional S$2.50. 

Choose between Cauliflower, Pickled Tomato Salad, Savoury Chicken Beignet and Prawn Fritto for your starters. Both the Savoury Chicken Beignet and Prawn Fritto will cost an additional S$1.

I particularly like the idea of going to Salt & Soul when I get bored of eating Asian food around the CBD. Plus, the lunch set gives a proper sit-down restaurant experience without exceeding S$20.

My pick for their lunch set is their tangy Pickled Tomato Salad paired with their garlicky and savoury Aglio Olio (S$17). The best part about their lunch set is that it comes with a starter, which helps to whet my appetite before the main.

182 Cecil Street, Frasers Tower, #01-06, Singapore 069547
+65 8728 8658
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 10pm
Closed on Sun
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2. Dumplings Darling

Before I stumbled upon Dumplings Darling, I thought dumplings were meant to be a snack. I’m glad to say that they changed my mind. They serve more than just dumplings as well. Their lunch deal pairs dumplings, egg noodles topped with a hanjuku ramen egg and an iced drink for just S$19++. Dumplings Darling’s lunch set is available daily, from 11.30am – 2.30pm.

Dumplings Darling has a huge range of options for their dumplings. You can choose from their Veggie Mandu, Original, Spicy Sichuan, Karana Momo, Prawn & Crab, Fried Pierogi and Smoked Duck. 

There are 4 options for their egg noodles. If you love spice as I do, choose their Sichuan Pork Noodles. If not, you may want to choose their Miso Mushroom Noodles, Jajang Pork Noodles or XO Prawn Noodles.

Complement your delicious mains with their refreshing iced drinks! Choose from Longan Osmanthus Pu-Erh, Grapefruit Thyme Green Tea, Passion Fruit Ginger Soda and Salted Plum Wolfberry Pu-Erh.

Dumplings Darling (Amoy Street)
44 Amoy Street, Singapore 069870
+65 8223 9249
Sun to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm & 6pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Sat

Dumplings Darling (Circular Road)
86 Circular Road, Singapore 049438
+65 8889 9973
Tue to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm & 6pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Mon & Sun
Instagram | Website

3. Nyonya Next Door

Nyonya Next Door is a fast-casual Peranakan concept that offers lunch sets starting at S$8.90. Their lunch service runs from 11am – 2.30pm on Mon to Fri.

First, start by choosing a main. Nyonya Next Door offers a large variety of mains. They offer Inchi Kabin Chicken Berempah, Coconut Chicken Kapitan, Buah Keluak Chicken, Chicken Wing and Otah, Assam Pedas Barramundi (+S$1.50), Beef Brisket Rendang (+S$1.50) and Sambal Goreng with Bergedil and Nyonya Chap Chye.

Best of all? The base is customisable! There is Lemongrass and Blue Pea Coconut Rice, Nyonya Black Curry Rice, Signature Kerabu Vermicelli and Jasmine White Rice to choose from. Plus, every set is served with Sambal Lava Egg, Ikan Bilis and Peanuts, Nyonya Achar, Sambal Original, Sambal Matah and Sambal Ijo. 

If you’re like me and can’t eat a meal without a beverage, fear not. You can add Kopi and Teh to your meal, with prices starting at S$1.80. If you would rather not drink Kopi or Teh, you can also choose from Calamansi and Sour Plum Drink, as well as Soft Drinks (Coke/Coke Zero/Ayataka Green Tea) at S$2.50.

1 Shenton Way, One Shenton, #01-06, Singapore 068803
+65 6222 1968
Mon to Fri: 11am – 2.30pm & 5pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 2pm
Closed on Sun
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4. Kokoro Izakaya

Kokoro Izakaya is located at Lau Pa Sat. It offers 3 lunch sets, all of which are priced below S$20. Fried food lovers can choose between their Tori Katsu Don Set (S$9.90) and Pork Katsu Kare Set (S$10.90). For something lighter, go for their Salmon Teriyaki Don Set (S$11.90), which comes with tender salmon glazed in teriyaki sauce.

All of their sets are served with hot or cold green tea, which is especially refreshing in Singapore’s warm weather. You’ll also get a creamy and soft potato salad alongside your main for some extra variety. If that’s not enough, you can also add on 3 pieces of Gyoza for S$3 for a crunchy treat.

Their lunch sets are available from Mon to Fri, 11am – 4pm, which is great if you enjoy a late lunch or just need some extra time to drop by.

18 Raffles Quay, Lau Pa Sat, MR20, Singapore 048582
Daily: 11am – 11pm
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5. Koyoi By Kanpai

Koyoi By Kanpai is located in One Shenton and offers a value-for-money lunch set for CBD workers. They offer 4 lunch sets, starting from S$10.80++. You’ll be spoilt for choice at Koyoi By Kanpai as it has a large variety of sides and dishes. 

Set A consists of a cold starter, vegetables, seafood, white rice and soup for S$13.80++. Set B swaps out the seafood for meat at S$10.80++. Next, Set C has a cold starter, hot snacks, rice/noodles and a soup for S$13.80++. 

The most expensive option is Set D, which includes a cold starter, hot snacks, personal nabe, white rice and soup. Even though it’s the most expensive, it costs only S$16.80++.

In my opinion, Set D gives you the most bang for your buck. It’s a personal nabe with a cold starter, which makes for a hearty and complete meal.

I recommend the Fresh Wafu Broth with the Mixed Seafood Nabe. For the cold starters, get the Spicy Kani and Avocado Crispy Rice. If you can’t take spice, their Shrimp Egg Mayo on Toast is a good alternative. Their lunch service runs from 11.30am – 2pm on Mon to Fri. 

1 Shenton Way, One Shenton, #01-02, Singapore 068803
+65 8101 9815
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 12am
Sat: 3pm – 12am
Closed on Sun
Instagram | Website

6. Daily Beer (Telok Ayer)

Daily Beer serves up more than just beer, so you don’t have to wait after work to visit them. Their Telok Ayer outlet offers Korean lunch sets from S$9++. Their lunch service runs daily from 11.30am – 5pm.

The most affordable item on their lunch menu is the Hangang Ramyun (S$9++). It is a spicy Korean ramyeon with tofu and a punchy broth. If you like spicy noodles just as much as I do, go for their Spicy Noodles with Chicken (S$14++). It consists of Korean-style noodles coated in their special sauce and topped with their perfectly crisp chicken.

As Asians, we all love rice. Daily Beer has Chi-Bap sets, which pair crispy fried chicken with white rice and Korean fish cake soup for S$10++. For the Chi-Bap sets, there are 5 options to choose from: Original, Red (spicy sauce), Black (sweet garlic soy sauce), Sriracha (sour-spicy sriracha sauce) and Honey Golden (sweet-savoury sauce).

212 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068645
+65 6669 8090
Mon & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Tue to Thu & Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri: 11.30am – 12.30am
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7. Dickson Nasi Lemak

Dickson Nasi Lemak’s recipe originates from an acclaimed nasi lemak store in Kuala Lumpur. Now, you can find it in Icon Village for your affordable CBD lunch!

All of their mains cost less than S$20, and you can top up S$1.90 to make it a set with a drink of your choice. Their mains are all served with coconut rice, egg, cucumber, anchovies, peanuts and sambal. 

The most affordable option for their mains is the Basic Nasi Lemak (S$5.30++). If you want something more hearty, get their Ayam Goreng Berempah (S$9.60). It has a savoury, spiced fried whole chicken leg along with the standard accompaniments. 

Their Chicken Rendang (S$10.40) is available from Wed to Fri only. The slow-cooked chicken stew paired with spices and coconut milk is sure to fill your tummy. Plus, it comes with a fried egg and their fragrant coconut rice.

Top up S$1.90 for kopi or teh peng, hot kopi or teh or a canned drink to make it a set.

12 Gopeng Street, Icon Village, #01-89/90, Singapore 078877
Daily: 9.30am – 4pm
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8. Hyang Yeon

Hyang Yeon has affordable Korean lunch sets that are sure to fill you up while keeping your wallet full. It is conveniently located in Telok Ayer as well, with lunch service running from 11.30am – 3pm.

Their regular lunch set costs S$14 and consists of 1 main dish, rice, side dishes and, of course, kimchi. It also comes with a free canned drink! Do note that their lunch set is meant for 1 person only, and cannot be shared. 

If you want some soup, choose from their Kimchi Jjigae (Pork Kimchi Stew), Doenjang Jjigae (Soybean Paste Stew), Seafood Soft Tofu Stew, Ddukbaegi Bulgogi (Boiled Marinated Beef with Soup), Ssul Lung Tang (Beef Bone Soup) and So-gogi-gukbap (Beef and Rice Soup).

Meat lovers can go for their Bulgogi (Grilled Marinated Beef), Pork BBQ (Grilled Marinated Pork) and Chicken BBQ (Grilled Marinated Chicken). My personal favourite is their Bibimbap. There’s a hot stone bowl version and a regular bowl version, and you get to choose between beef, pork, chicken and no meat or egg.

What I like most about Hyang Yeon is that they have another special lunch set for just S$15 (that’s just S$1 more than the regular lunch set). In this special D.I.Y lunch set, you get both a soup and a BBQ meat. Do note that there are fewer options to choose from for this special D.I.Y lunch. 

For the soup, choose between Kimchi Jjigae (Pork Kimchi Stew), Doenjang Jjigae (Soybean Paste Stew), Seafood Soft Tofu Stew and Spicy Beef Soup. 

For meats, you have the option of Bulgogi (Grilled Marinated Beef), Pork BBQ (Grilled Marinated Pork) or Chicken BBQ (Grilled Marinated Chicken).

128 Telok Ayer Street, #01-01, Singapore 068597
+65 6221 6368
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 12am
Instagram | Website

9. Twyst

If you’re craving pasta, head down to Twyst for their affordable lunch sets. I like Twyst because it’s a build-your-own pasta shop where I can choose between spaghetti and penne, along with my choice of sauce and toppings. Plus, you get a set with a top-up of just S$3.50. The set consists of a drink and either the soup of the day or 2 pieces of crispy mid wings.

Their more affordable options are the Aglio Olio (S$8.50) and Tomato Pomodoro (S$9.50). If you’re feeling atas, go for their S$10.50 options: Laksa Olio, Gochujang, Creamy Alfredo and Miso Butter. Every pasta order comes with 2 free ingredients, 1 protein and 1 topping, for a heartier meal.

Protein options are Poached Chicken, Beef Pepperoni, Sauteed Prawns, Smoked Duck and Assorted Seafood (+S$2). Toppings include Edamame, Truffle Oil, Kale, Baby Spinach, Mushroom, Cherry Tomato and Sous Vide Egg. 

For a full list of locations, opening hours & contact numbers, refer here.
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10. Tokyo Soba

Tokyo Soba has many options on its menu, all of which are below S$20. It is located in Icon Village, and the restaurant specialises in freshly made soba and udon. Their lunch menu is available all day.

Their lunch special is the Ebi Tempura Platter Soba Set (S$19.80). The set includes a myriad of tempura, including tiger prawn, eggplant, pumpkin, okra and shiitake mushrooms. Choose between soba or udon for the noodles. The set is completed with hot or cold Japanese roasted rice green tea. 

If you prefer a meatier option, there is their Yomoda Curry Chicken Drumlet Japanese Rice Set (S$10.50). It consists of tender curry chicken drumlet paired with rice, miso soup and some side dishes. 

Since their speciality is soba, you can also opt for their Yomoda Curry Chicken Drumlet Soba Set (S$16.50). It has the same curry chicken drumlet, but the rice is replaced with a cold dipping soba or hot broth soba of your choice.

12 Gopeng Street, Icon Village, #01-12/13/14, Singapore 078877
+65 6410 9353
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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11. Shukuu Japanese Izakaya and Bar

Shukuu Japanese Izakaya and Bar is located on Stanley Street. It’s a short walk from both Telok Ayer (DT18) and Tanjong Pagar (EW15) MRT stations. They offer lunch donburi sets from 11.30am – 2pm, from Tue to Fri. Their lunch sets come with miso soup. 

The most affordable option is their Gyudon (S$16++), which is a Japanese beef rice bowl topped with a perfectly done onsen egg. I particularly like their Gyudon as the meat is tender and well-marinated. 

They have 3 S$18++ options, which are Negitori, Salmon Don and Oden Soba.

The Negitori (S$18++) features minced tuna belly on fluffy Japanese sushi rice with raw quail egg and tobiko. Their Salmon Don (S$18++) has fresh salmon sashimi paired with spicy salmon cubes. You can also choose their aburi torched option if that’s what you prefer. Lastly, their Oden Soba (S$18++) has 3 different types of oden — daikon, egg and fishcake. It’s paired with their soba for a complete meal. Do note that the Oden Soba does not come with miso soup.

8 Stanley Street, Singapore 068727
+65 6327 9240
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 2pm & 5.30pm – 12am
Mon & Sat: 5.30pm – 12am
Sun: 5.30pm – 10.30pm
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12. Rappu

Rappu serves up chirashi don bowls for their lunch sets and is located on Duxton Road. The generous portions in their don bowls resemble a mountain. Hence, their lunch sets are aptly named the Mt. Rappu series. Their lunch service runs from 11.45am – 2.30pm.

Their Mt. Rappus are stacked with high-quality ingredients and topped with an oozy Japanese egg yolk to complete the look. All their Mt. Rappus are served with their in-house nori, daily appetiser, miso soup and tamago for a truly complete meal. 

The 2 Mt. Rappus sets under S$20 are Akami Toro (S$18++) and Chicken Nanban (S$18++). 

First, the Akami Toro (S$18++) has lean akami and fatty toro tuna over sushi rice. It melts in your mouth and is completed with a creamy egg yolk on top.

Next, the Chicken Nanban (S$18++) features crispy karaage chicken topped with curry egg mayo, creating a burst of flavours and textures.

52 Duxton Road, Singapore 089516
Mon: 6pm – 10.30pm
Tue to Thu & Sun: 11.45am – 2.30pm & 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11.45am – 2.30pm & 6pm – 12am
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How to choose an affordable CBD lunch set

For a proper sit-down meal, Salt & Soul offers a main and starter, while Koyoi By Kanpai suits a heartier lunch with a personal nabe. Dumplings Darling works for dumplings and noodles, Nyonya Next Door for customisable Peranakan food, and Kokoro Izakaya for Japanese sets.

For lower-cost options, Daily Beer (Telok Ayer) and Dickson Nasi Lemak sets start from S$9++ and S$5.30 respectively. Hyang Yeon, Twyst, Tokyo Soba, Shukuu Japanese Izakaya and Bar, and Rappu suit Korean, pasta, soba, donburi and chirashi don preferences.

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