Finally, a new hot topic that will take our minds off the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. All thanks to PM Lee’s announcement on 23 June 2020, Parliament has been dissolved and the Writ for Election has been issued. On the topic of the election, one of the most talked-about issues would probably be the intense battle between People’s Action Party (PAP) and Worker’ Party (WP) for the newly formed 4-member Sengkang GRC.
With more than 120,000 voters, the tranquil neighbourhoods of Compassvale, Rivervale and Anchorvale will soon be filled with the election buzz from the team in white helmed by Labour Chief Ng Chee Meng and their opponent from the blue side that looks to be led by lawyer, He Ting Ru.
Nope, we—the people at SethLui.com—are not here to sway any of your political ideologies, neither are we here to get ourselves involved in drama-worthy political gossips. We are, however, more interested in finding you some of the best eateries around your electoral boundaries for you to head out for a well-deserved meal after a mind-boggling polling day.
Especially for my fellow Sengkang GRC voters, this is for you! Since having to choose a side between PAP and WP is not exactly a walk in the park, we are pretty sure theses eateries will help you unwind a little after marking that precious ‘X’.
Without further ado, here are 10 best food spots located in the neighbourhoods of GE2020’s newly formed Sengkang GRC!
1. Zoey’s Diner
A cosy, minimalist cafe situated within the premises of Compass One at Sengkang GRC, Zoey’s Diner elevates our everyday fast food with their unique play on traditional burgers. In addition to regular brioche burger buns, Zoey’s Diner also offers snow-white bao buns (bao-baes) that elevates the texture and flavour of a regular burger. In line with their ‘Feel Good’ theme, the eatery included the selection of salads and soups in their menu, allowing diners to indulge in a delicious yet healthy meal.
Best paired with a classic brioche bun, the Pepper Braised Steak Burger (S$10.90) consists of a slab of Australian Beef Short Ribs doused in aromatic black pepper sauce, an assortment of wild rockets and tomato. Beef-lovers will fall in love with this bun for its meltingly tender short ribs and flavourful pepper sauce.
If you are a fan of kong bak pau, then their bao-baes will leave you smiling from ear to ear. Switch up your Shrooms Bun-Mi (S$6.90) burger bun to a bao-bae, for mouthfuls of hoisin sauce soaked up in the bao buns as you enjoy this vegetarian delight!
Zoey’s Diner: 1 Sengkang Square, Compass One, #01-01, Singapore 545078 | Tel: +65 9159 7074 | Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Daily) | Facebook | Instagram
2. Yobanmian
Breathing new life into you mian, Yobanmian incorporates one of a kind twist into a conventional bowl of dry noodles by infusing contemporary flavours such as the tongue-numbing mala, savoury bak kwa and nutty Japanese goma.
Located in a quaint coffee shop at Ancholevale, Yobanmian’s Mala You Mian (Dry) (S$5) won our hearts with its piquant chilli oil and underlying garlic-and-soy-based gravy reminiscent of an authentic bowl of mala hotpot. Not only was the noodles tongue-mumblingly addictive, but it was also served with two huge slabs of pan-fried luncheon meat that paired perfectly with the fiery gravy.
For those who can’t handle spice well, the hawker’s Bakkwa You Mian (S$3.50) and Goma Sauce You Mian (S$5) are the other two options that are worth a try. Whilst the Bakkwa You Mian was served with dark soy sauce and chopped bak kwa bits, the Goma Sauce You Mian was lighter in flavour with its aromatic goma sauce and slight acidity from the use of rice vinegar.
Yobanmian: Blk 330 Anchorvale Street, #01-02, Singapore 540330 | Tel: +65 6759 0988 | Opening Hours: 7am – 9pm (Daily) | Instagram
3. Citrus Bistro
Now that sports and recreational facilities are allowed to re-open, you can now enjoy a meal at Citrus Bistro after your swimming session at Sengkang Sports Centre. Sister branch to Citrus By The Pool located at Woodlands Swimming Complex, this halal-certified bistro offers a relaxing alfresco dining experience with the view of the bustling swimming pool and water park facilities.
Whether you are looking for a quick bite or a full meal to replenish your energy, there will surely be a dish from Citrus Bistro’s extensive menu items that will satisfy you. For first-timers, why not try the eatery’s speciality burger—Little Boss (S$16.50)? Featuring a juicy beef and mutton patty sandwiched between toasted charcoal buns slathered with a generous amount of satay sauce that oozes from its sides, this hearty burger will leave you wanting more after your first bite!
Although Citrus Bistro remains closed until further notice, diners can still enjoy their delicious treats at home with their online delivery service. Till then, fans of Citrus Bistro can stay updated with the eatery’s promotions and news here!
Citrus Bistro: 57 Anchorvale Road, Sengkang Swimming Complex, Singapore 544964 | Tel: +65 6904 4850 | Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm (Tues to Sun), Closed on Mon | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Armenian Street Char Kway Teow
Even after relocating from its previous location along the corner of Armenian and Loke Yew Street to Anchorvale within Sengkang GRC, Armenian Street Char Kway Teow remains a must-visit for char kway teow lovers. Started since 1949, Mr Tan took on his father’s business and till today continues to prepare fresh pork lard daily—the key to cooking up a good plate of stir-fried flat rice noodles.
Coated with sweet dark soy sauce, Mr Tan’s Char Kway Teow (S$3) has a slightly damp consistency and is loaded with ingredients such as fish cake, Chinese sausages, cockles and bean sprouts. Each mouthful is filled with the burnt scent of wok hei and together with random crunchy bits of pork lard, this plate of char kway teow is the epitome of a sinful delight.
Armenian Street Char Kway Teow: Blk 303, Anchorvale Link, Singapore 540303 | Tel: +65 9851 3725 | Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Mon to Wed, Fri to Sun), Closed on Thurs | Facebook
5. Ayam Penyet Ria
Established since 2004 as a family-owned restaurant serving authentic Indonesian food, Ayam Penyet Ria has since established its name with five branches scattered across Singapore. Apart from the brand’s signature Ayam Penyet, the eatery also serves a variety of authentic Indonesian dishes ranging from Ayam Bakar (Grilled Chicken), Ikan Bawal Penyet (Smashed Fried Pomfret) to Tahu Telur (Indonesian Fried Egg and Tofu) and Gado-Gado (Indonesian Salad with Peanut Sauce).
The Ayam Penyet (S$8.20) consists of a deep-fried chicken that is tender on the inside, with a thin crisp coating outside. Served on a pandan leaf, the dish is accompanied with a bowl of steaming hot rice, a side of fried tofu, tempeh and vegetables. What’s Ayam Penyet without sambal? Sambal lovers will love Ayam Penyet Ria not only for their addictive chilli paste but also their free-flow of sambal served!
Ayam Penyet Ria: 11 Rivervale Crescent, Rivervale Mall, #01-08/09/10, Singapore 545082 | Tel: +65 6243 2948 | Opening Hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Daily) | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. Teck Ee Seafood
A familiar name that is known amongst the residents of Compassvale and Sengkang East, Teck Ee Seafood is a neighbourhood zi char stall residing outside Buangkok MRT Station in the area of Sengkang GRC. Known for their Red Grouper Fish Head Steamboat (S$38) and Assam Fish Head (S$28), this eatery a fuss-free establishment for anyone who is looking for a conducive communal dining space.
Seafood lovers will surely enjoy their Assam Fish Head that features a fresh snapper fish head soaked in tangy and spicy tamarind gravy. In addition, their Cereal Prawn (S$24) also makes for an ideal dish for those who enjoy a blend of sweet-spicy flavours and the crunchy textures of buttery cereal!
Tech Ee Seafood: 277C Compassvale Link, #01-13, Singapore 543277 | Tel: +65 6481 1132 | Opening Hours: 6am – 11pm (Daily)
7. Nakhon Kitchen
Founded on the basis of serving delicious and authentic Thai food to diners at an affordable price, Nakhon Kitchen started off as a small eatery situated in along Hougang Street 21. Since then, the eatery has gained a cult of loyal followers and now has seven outlets in Singapore with its latest additions located at Compass One and VivoCity respectively.
Nakhon Kitchen offers a mixture of dishes with exotic flavours of Northeastern Thailand’s Issan Cuisine and Bangkok’s street food cooking. During your visit, indulge in common Thai dishes like Pandan Leaf Chicken (S$6), Thai Mango Salad (S$5) and Pineapple Fried Rice (S$6). And if you and up for something different, their Stir-fried Clams with Sweet Basil Leaves (S$10) and Deep-fried Prawn With Tamarind Sauce (S$12) will definitely be up your alley.
Nakhon Kitchen: 1 Sengkang Square, Compass One, #02-30, Singapore 5450782 | Tel: +65 6962 2010 | Opening Hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm (Daily) | Facebook | Instagram | Website
8. Lin Yu Mei Kolo Mee
A hybrid between of a plate of wanton noodles and bak chor mee, kolo mee is a noodle dish originated from Sarawak and is known to many for its characteristic light and transparent sauce. One particular place we know that does this dish justice is certainly Lin Yu Mei Sarawak Laksa & Kolo Mee located at Haig Road.
Northeasterners who are craving for a taste of this particular dish are now in for a treat as the brand has an outlet—Lin Yu Mei Kolo Mee—located at Anchorvale Road. Unlike its sister branch at Haig Road, this outlet shines the limelight on the springy pale noodles with its signature Sarawak Kolo Mee (S$4/ S$5) and Sarawak Mee Soup (S$4) as the hawker’s main items. Besides that, Lin Yu Mei Kolo Mee also serves bites such as Fried Wonton (S$3) and Fried Fish Cake (S$3/ S$4) to go with your bowl of slurp-able porky goodness!
Lin Yu Mei Kolo Mee: 350A Anchorvale Road, Singapore 544317 | Opening Hours: 8.30am – 7.30pm (Mon, Wed to Sun), Closed on Tues
9. Shan Cheng Ipoh Delicacies
Founded by two sisters from Ipoh, Shan Cheng Ipoh Delicacies prides itself as an establishment serving authentic Ipoh cuisine that natives hold dear to. In order to preserve the authenticity of their dishes, the eatery also directly imports ingredients such as coffee, noodles and various sauces from Ipoh.
Classic dishes such as Fish Ball Noodles (S$7.30), Shredded Chicken Hor Fun (S$7.60) and Handmade Charsiew Rice (S$7.30) aside, Shan Cheng Ipoh Delicacies also offers specials like Ipoh Liew Fun (S$7.30) and the fragrant Shao Xing Wine Chicken Rice (S$7.60). While you are feasting on these delicacies, don’t forget to try their Ipoh Golden Platter (S$7.50/S$12.30).
Their combination of freshly deep-fried fishballs, fish cakes, fried turnips and crispy bean curd skin, will definitely keep you going back for more!
Shan Cheng Ipoh Delicacies: 1 Sengkang Square, Compass One, #02-28/32, Singapore 545078 | Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Daily) | Facebook | Website
10. Go2Eat
We all love our fair share of western food, and sometimes there is really no need to go to an upscale restaurant since some hawkers are serving western food that is equally as delicious at almost half the price. When it comes to western hawker food in Sengkang, Go2Eat is an eatery not to be missed.
From a premium 200g Wagyu Steak (S$29.90) to a plate of Sunny Fried Rice (S$4), Go2Eat’s menu has such a huge variety that even the pickiest eater will have something to choose from. Apart from their grill specialities, the hawker also serves gourmet sausages, pasta and even mixed combo sets for those who cannot seem to decide on what to order.
Go2Eat: Blk 205D, Compassvale Lane, Singapore 544205 | Tel: +65 9814 6483 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 12am (Daily) | Facebook | Website
Now, who says that there’s nothing much to savour around the neighbourhoods of Sengkang GRC? From a delectable plate of western food to a feast of zi char that can be shared with friends and loved ones, the list of eateries located in Sengkang goes on and on.
If you have a favourite eatery that we have yet to cover, why not recommend it to us in the comments section? We would love to check them out too!
