Thanks to Singapore’s built-in hustle culture, a majority of Singaporeans are truly workaholics to the core. However, to do great work, one must have a great rest. What better way to do so than via eating? Thus, here are the 11 best places in Raffles Place to grab a satisfying meal during working hours.
Raffles Place is labelled as the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD), with the MRT station smack in the centre of the country’s financial hub. Towering office towers litter the area, hiding many under-the-radar eats that only the corporate workers familiar with the area know. With a much-needed lunch break, you will be able to ease your mind off work at these spots!
1. Um Yong Baek
Um Yong Baek is famous for their extremely long queues, thanks to being featured in several publications and TV shows in Korea. Specialising in boiled pork and authentic daejigukbab (rice soup), it’s safe to say that most of the folks queuing already know what they are in for.
This place will definitely impress your corporate friends, as it is oddly not well-known among Singaporeans. Rather, Um Yong Baek is well-known among the Koreans, whose seal of approval holds high authority.
I adored the Busan style Daejigukbab (S$21), with its hefty pork flavour without any gamey taste. All sorts of different cuts — pig stomach, pork cheek and even the pork leg were included, tasting phenomenal with every spoonful of rice that soaked up the flavourful broth.
However, the Ohgyeopsal Sooyuk (S$45) truly is the star of the show. The high quality of the pork used proves itself, not at all greasy and with a beautiful marbling. With the boiled tofu, chives and garlic cloves, this is a meal fit for the mightiest of kings.
27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623
+65 8843 5968
Daily: 11am – 3.30pm & 5.30pm – 10pm
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2. Taki Izakaya Bar
Taki Izakaya Bar is where the centre of everything is, nestled right across from Collyer Quay‘s picturesque bay, where the gorgeous silhouettes of the ArtScience Museum and Marina Bay Sands dazzle the skyline.
As soon as you enter, you’re welcomed by rows of Japanese Torii gates, while a captivating projection of a waterfall surrounded by sakura trees unfolds in the centre. This Japanese-themed chillout spot is the ideal venue to host both your personal and corporate get-togethers.
Get a bang for your buck with the Value Lunch Sets at S$18.80++, with options like Beef Yakiniku, Salmon Teriyaki and Tonkatsu which come with rice, miso soup, salad and pickles. Top up an extra S$6 for a Lunch Upgrade which throws in chawanmushi, a side dish, and a choice of either green tea or ice cream. Psst…wanna know a little secret? If you swing by on Fridays, the Lunch Upgrade is on the house!
When the sun sets, why not pop by for dinner and indulge in an array of Japanese delights awaiting you? Be wowed by the Hotate Mentai Aburi (S$15.50), where fresh, sweet scallops get kissed by flames for a smokey allure, then paired with a spicy and savoury mentaiko sauce.
Sink your teeth into the Tori Nanban (S$14.50)— crispy and succulent pieces of chicken are paired with a light, creamy sauce. Dumpling aficionados must try the Pan Fried Gyoza (S$12.50) with a delectable chicken and veggie filling.
The 5 types Assorted Sashimi (S$46.80) is a luxurious platter comprising 3 pieces of salmon, swordfish, octopus, salmon belly and tuna. The menu also has a plethora of skewers such as Uzura No Tamago (quail egg) (S$7.80), Chicken Yakitori (S$7.80), Shitake (S$6.80) and Okura (lady’s finger) (S$6.80).
Fans of sushi should check out the Makimono section which offers 6 different kinds of rolls such as Dragon Roll (S$18.80), Spider Avo (S$18.80) and Unagi (S$19.80).
Take advantage of their sweet deals during Happy Hour which starts from 3pm to 7pm (Mondays to Fridays). Firstly, the 5 Pints Deal allows you to get 5 pints of Suntory Pilsner for S$55++ or Suntory Black for S$60++ or Kaoru for S$55++.
You can also score 2 pints of Suntory Pilsner for S$24++, Suntory Black for S$26++ or Kaoru for S$24++.
If you’re worried that you can’t drink so much at a go, no need to panic. Taki Izakaya Bar lets you ‘beer park’ your pints so that you are able to continue on another occasion. What’s more, with a capacity to host more than 150 guests, this is the perfect spot to host wedding receptions, corporate parties and other special events.
Collyer Quay, #01-05A/B, Singapore 049318
+65 8030 6515
Mon & Tue: 11.30am – 10pm
Wed to Fri: 11.30am – 11pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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3. ROKUS a.g.b
Lau Pa Sat has many hidden gems and ROKUS a.g.b is a solid example. Serving unique Korean fusion food, this hawker stall attracts quite a number of curious folks interested to try out the delicious and unique fare.
Their menu contains mostly Korean-fusion burgers, but does have a couple of other mains like Rice Bowls and Ramyeon Bowls if you want to stick to the classics. However, after trying the food here, I have to agree that the burgers truly outshine the rest of the dishes tremendously.
Mixing Korean dishes into burgers isn’t easy, yet ROKUS a.g.b does just that fantastically with fusions like Gochujang Burger (S$12.90) and Kimchi Burger (S$13.90). The Tteokbokki Burger (S$13.90) was my personal favourite, with the tteokbokki giving an incredible chew as compared to the soft bun and tender beef patty.
The stall gets their beef patties from Australia, which are much more tender and juicier than the usual ones. Thanks to the sizable portions, you are sure to be brimming with energy for the rest of the work day.
18 Raffles Quay, Lau Pa Sat, Stall 22, Singapore 048582
+65 8448 0707
Mon to Thu & Sun: 11am – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 4am
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4. SALT.SINGAPORE / HEBREWS.XIBUTANG
If you’re a regular at Old Airport Road Food Centre, you’ve probably seen or tried Salt for its Korean chicken wings or herbal soups. SALT.SINGAPORE / HEBREWS.XIBUTANG is their dine-in outlet at CIMB Plaza where you can get the same offerings and some new menu items.
During lunch, there will be rice sets available like the Sesame Oil Chicken Set (S$11) and Red Wine Chicken Set (S$11) which includes rice and vegetables of the day. Since the owner is of Fuzhou descent, the red wine chicken tastes authentic with hints of robust ginger and wine.
You’ll also be able to savour their range of Signature Korean Fried Chicken Wings (S$6.90 for 4 pieces, S$9.90 for 6 pieces) with flavours like Soy Garlic, Korean Hot, Salt & Pepper and Thai Chilli Lime.
Their other brand, Hebrews, features a variety of herbal soups, including Ginseng Chicken Collagen Soup (S$12.90) and Imperial Dang Gui Collagen Soup (S$11.90).
30 Raffles Place, CIMB Plaza, #B1-16, Singapore 048622
+65 9488 1116
Mon to Fri: 10am – 4pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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5. Fish Soup Paradise
Fish Soup Paradise has 2 outlets within close proximity from each other, located at CIMB Plaza and Republic Plaza.
Crafted from a generations-old family recipe, this fish soup boasts only natural ingredients, shunning MSG and salt. It simmers slowly for 6 hours, delicately infusing fish bones to yield a creamy, nutrient-packed broth.
The Dual Fish Soup (S$10.50) has a mixture of fried and boiled batang fish slices, green veggies and cherry tomatoes doused inside, and generously garnished with a sprinkling of fried egg shreds. The taste of the broth is naturally sweet and gently creamy, with the distilled essence of the fish.
For something more bold and exhilarating for your taste buds, try the Tom Yum Seafood Soup (S$13). A couple of prawns, fish slices, sotong ball, la la, green vegetables and cherry tomatoes are immersed in a rich, orange-hued broth. If you prefer a creamy rendition of tom yum soup, you’ll love this.
30 Raffles Place, CIMB Plaza, #B1-02 Singapore 048622
+65 9146 9284
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6.30pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
9 Raffles Place, Republic Plaza, #B1-07, Singapore 048619
+65 9146 9284
Mon to Fri: 10am – 8pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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6. Cha Re Re
As the sister brand of Hororok Soups & Stews, Cha Re Re aims to bring affordable Korean cuisine to the CBD area. The name refers to the glistening shine on perfectly cooked meat, which is why this spot focuses on grilled meat bowls along their stews.
With a limited seating area, it is obvious that most customers pack the meals to move back to their office space to eat. Since the dishes are all given in takeaway packs, the food here will be perfect for when you are in a hurry for your next engagement.
Cha Re Re offers balanced rice bowls with your chosen protein, an onsen egg as well as kimchi. Their Fuh-yo Rice Bowl (S$12.90) has bulgogi beef as the protein, which is highly raved about, thanks to their well-marinated and flavourful beef.
If rice bowls are not your fancy, this Korean cuisine joint also sells OG Kim (S$11.90) and Yas Sir (S$11.90), which are Kimchi Stew and Army Stew with humourous menu names.
Order Delivery: Deliveroo
One Raffles Place, One Raffles Place Tower 1, #B1-19, Singapore 048616
+65 9049 9926
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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7. Ju95
Described as a modern take on an age-old recipe, Ju95 at Boat Quay reforms the intimidating outlook of fine dining into something more comforting.
Helmed by Chef Louis Lee who has worked in numerous fine dining restaurants like Cure and The Spot, this casual fine dining restaurant focuses on providing exciting dishes sure to tantalise your palate.
With prices starting at S$52 (3 Courses) and going up to S$62 (4 Courses), it certainly is quite a steep jump from the usual lunch budget. However, it truly is worth every penny. In particular, one of the mains, Pork Jowl, is extra tender and it just melts in your mouth. As it’s accompanied by market greens, wasabi chimichurri and black garlic, it will not be too difficult to wipe your plate clean.
There are also sandos like the indulgent Peking Pork Belly (S$17) and Spiced Chicken Katsu (S$16) to cater to customers who wish for a lighter meal. With surprises to be found in every dish, you truly won’t be bored in Ju95.
41 Boat Quay, Singapore 049830
+65 8201 2737
Tue & Wed: 6pm – 11pm
Thu: 12pm – 2pm & 6pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 2pm & 6pm – 12am
Sat: 6pm – 12am
Sun: 5pm – 10pm
Closed on Mon
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8. Waa Cow
Craving beef bowls during lunch hour? Head down to Waa Cow for premium beef that doesn’t skimp on quality. With beef coming from America’s established Snake River Farms, each bowl is packed with a tobiko-topped onsen egg, Japanese sour plum and wasabi for that tinge of heat.
The Original Wagyu Beef Bowl (S$22.90) would be an exceptional choice, though its other counterparts seem equally tempting with different toppings. Personally, the Mentaiko Wagyu Beef Bowl (S$24.90) is to die for, especially with that indulgent layer of torched mentaiko.
Original Chirashi Seafood Bowl (S$19.90) will suit the sashimi lovers, with its incredibly fresh salmon. Along with the explosions of flavour from the Ikura (salmon roe), each spoonful of rice will leave you starry-eyed.
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
30 Raffles Place, Change Alley Mall, #01-23/24, Singapore 048622
+65 9785 0646
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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9. The Daily Cut
A good majority of office folks have The Daily Cut as their go-to lunch place, thanks to the spot’s speedy and fuss-free ordering system. Similar to Maki-San, you order via a paper menu by ticking whichever options like bases or proteins you’d like before handing it over at the cash register. Mighty convenient, in my opinion.
Every few months, the menu transitions between seasons, providing new items to choose from! As of Feb 2024, The Daily Cut is on their Spring menu, providing proteins like Chilli Lime Shrimp, Honey Soy Chicken Leg and Herb-Crusted Dory.
With options ranging from Petite (S$10.50) to Regular (S$14) to Large (S$17.50), you can indefinitely go nuts with customising your meal. Thanks to their healthy menu, options are plentiful for the health-conscious folks. Fast yet healthy, who could refuse that when in a rush?
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
1 Raffles Place, One Raffles Place Tower 1, #B1-31, Singapore 048616
+65 6904 9656
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 4pm
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10. Gin Khao
The only Thai food joint on our list, Gin Khao supplies authentic Thai cuisine to the CBD. They believe in using traditional recipes from Thailand to remake dishes to suit our local palate, so the menu is unique to Singapore. As such, Gin Khao’s dishes are truly one-of-a-kind. Not to mention, they have big portions!
Of course, the most unique item here has to be their Khao Phat Dtaeng Mo (S$14.80), also known as Watermelon Fried Rice. Said to be Singapore’s first and only such rendition of fried rice, it is a modified version of the Thai dish.The fried rice has infused wok hei and a hidden secret sauce sure to convince you to come back.
Another well-loved classic is their Pad Thai, Phat Thai Talay (S$14.80). With mussels, prawns and squid included, seafood fanatics will definitely enjoy them with the sweet vermicelli noodles.
Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo
1 Raffles Place, One Raffles Place, #04-29/30, Singapore 048616
+65 6532 2387
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 9pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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11. Kimoto Gastro Bar
Craving some Kushiyaki with a cup of fantastic sake? Kimoto Gastro Bar is just the place! Sometimes, we just want to peck at something light, which is what’s popular in this Japanese bar. With 20 different skewers featuring both meat and vegetable varieties to choose from, you are certainly spoilt for choice.
For those who wish to enjoy the skewers with some rice, the chef’s recommendation of Kushiyaki Don (S$22.68) will give the kushiyaki meal some substance. Just imagining eating it with some sake on the side makes me want to head to the CBD again.
Unagi fans will love the Unagi Rice Ball (S$14.40), which is packed full of juicy eel. The lightly torched rice went perfectly with the unagi, which gave off a smoky taste that complemented the delicious eel extremely well.
Order Delivery: foodpanda
4 Marina Boulevard, The Sail @ Marina Bay, #01-15, Singapore 018987
+65 6222 7588
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm & 5pm – 10pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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