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HCIxEJC: Cheap Eats in the City

Do you struggle to find cheap places to eat at when you’re in town? With so many food options to choose from in the expensive city area, it can be hard to find an affordable meal. So, we have compiled a list of some of our favourite places to dine at, with full meals for no more than $10! 



First up, we have Sukiya, which is Japan’s largest Gyudon restaurant chain that serves delicious bowls of Gyudon, Curry Rice, and Yakiniku. Sukiya has outlets at Plaza Singapura, 313@Somerset, Suntec City, and Marina Square, making it a convenient spot to dine should you be in the city area. Most of their menu items are under $10, with the cheapest being a small bowl of Half-boiled Egg Gyudon at $5.20. If you’re feeling hungrier that day, Sukiya offers various portion sizes for all their meals, from Small to Extra Large, with most of their Large sized portions being just under $10. My personal order is a Medium Melted Cheese Gyudon, and even that makes a very filling and tasty meal! Additionally, Sukiya serves all their meals with a free cup of barley tea, so you don’t have to pay extra for a drink. 


Link to Sukiya’s menu:  https://www.sukiya.com.sg/menu



Now, Don Don Donki isn't technically an eatery, but bear with me for this, because for Japanese food, the prices are quite affordable! It ranges from $5.90 for a bowl of Chilled Buckwheat Soba to $8.90 for a bowl of Beef Sukiyaki Don. Even though the portions of their Donburis may not be the biggest, the taste often leaves nothing to be desired. So, if you're not one with a huge appetite, one serving of a main dish will satisfy you. Personally, I like their Takoyaki, which is quite value-for-money, at 8 pieces for $5.90, and also tastes pretty authentic. There are several Don Don Donki outlets located in the central area, namely Suntec City, Orchard Central, Clarke Quay Central, and Harbourfront Centre. The Suntec City and Clarke Quay outlets have food courts where you can take your meals, while other outlets have seating areas. So, if you’re looking for a convenient and appetising lunch, just pop in at any Donki outlet to get a ready-made meal!



But if you find yourself craving some affordable and authentic Thai food, Soi 47 Thai Food is the stop for you! They pride themselves on serving high-quality yet inexpensive Thai food. Furthermore, it is conveniently located in Orchard Central, just a 3-minute walk from Somerset MRT. Their highly recommended Tom Yam Soups, priced between $6.80 to $8.50, feature an array of meat choices that consumers can choose from. They can also top up a dollar for their Thai Fragrant White Rice to complete the meal! Alternatively, one with a lower spice tolerance can opt for the noodles and rice menu, where options are priced under $8, offering consumers a diverse range of flavorful options to suit their various dietary needs. Embark on a culinary adventure that won't break the bank! Head to Soi 47 Thai Food at Orchard Central and treat yourself to the affordable luxury of authentic Thai flavours. 




Want to eat all those delicious Korean food you see in Kdramas and mukbangs? Well, here’s a place that you can visit on your next trip to town that will not break your bank! Kim Dae Mun is located at Concorde Shopping Mall which is just a short walk from Somerset MRT station! Be rest assured of the shop’s authenticity as it is run by Koreans! Some of their highly raved dishes include; Spicy Shredded  Chicken ($9.50), Bibimbap ($10). Craving some soup? Well, Kim Dae Mun has got you covered with Ramyeon ($6.50), and authentic Korean soups such as Kimchi soup, Bean Paste soup, priced at only $9! If you’re going as a group, do take the opportunity to order some of their scrumptious sides to share, such as their Dumplings ($4.50) or Korean rice cakes ($5.50). With a large menu and wallet-friendly prices, Kim Dae Mun is definitely a restaurant to frequent in town, amidst all the expensive eateries that populate the area!



Popular on social media for their freeflow condiments bar and ice cream, Hi Noodle at 313@somerset serves Chinese noodles at affordable prices. For those looking for a quick and easy meal, Hi Noodles offers dishes at no additional GST or service charge, giving you a basic yet satisfactory meal at affordable prices. Their myriad of dishes means you are at a loss for choices, from comforting Sichuan soup noodles to heartwarming rice bowls. Prices range from just $4.90 for a bowl of Scallion Oil Noodles, to $14.90 for their more popular dishes such as the Spicy Crayfish Noodle or Fish Maw Chicken noodles. Finally, what meal is complete without dessert? Hi Noodle offers a complimentary cone of ice cream or a cup of coffee once you return your tray after your meal, giving the perfect end to the end of a shopping trip in town. With their springy noodles and perfect portions, Hi Noodle’s balance between good food and affordable prices makes it the perfect place for lunch or dinner in town. 

 


Along the same vein of eateries that technically aren’t eateries, presenting to you... Cafe&Meal Muji! I was originally quite sceptical about the quality of Muji’s dining concept, as, as most of us do, I saw the shop as exclusively for home goods. However, the food tasted unexpectedly good! Think of Cafe&Meal’s concept as one of an “elevated caifan”, where diners can get a cold dish- think Truffle pasta salad or Mushroom Tamago- for $3.50, and a hot dish- like Baked Seabass, Red Wine Beef, or Meatball Stew- for $5.50! Hence, it is easy to tweak your meal based on your budget, allowing for flexibility should you eat as a group. As with any self-respecting cai-fan store, you can obviously add (Japanese!) rice for 2.50, rounding out what is bound to be a hearty, comforting meal. 


Written by: Dhanya Kumar (EJC 23-U1), Lim Sher Min (EJC 23-E1), Ting Yan Tong (EJC 23-I1), Alicia Ng Si Qi (HCI 23A15), Cheah Le Han (HCI 23S79), Chua Jia Xuan, Keris (HCI 23A11)


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