Singapore Trip, Eating Options for a Family

Greetings everyone,

I need your help here. We are going to Singapore for a week in August. Recent Scoot sale was too tempting😊

Last year I bought some IHG points for short local staycation. That did not happen because of COVID. And now it will not happen because IHG devalued their points, which puts intended destination out of reach.

So, the goal now is to spend IHG points in Singapore as I do not want to get burned again.
So far, the plan is to stay at Intercontinental (Bugis Junction). The problem is that there is no way to redeem the points and get breakfast included into the rate. One has to pay for it separately. Over the course of the week and for 3 people (one child included), this may be not the most economical (or best) solution.

Would anyone please recommend a decent place nearby for daily breakfasts. I am not a fussy eater (after all I have been having the same meal for breakfast for the last 20 years), but given that we are travelling with a child, I do not want any surprises (upset stomach etc).
The prerequisites (a big caveat here): cleanliness & western cuisine. Preferably not too far.

Ability to pay with a credit card preferred. Buffets would be awesome!

Any advice on family dinners would also be appreciated.
Thanks a lot!

Comments

  • +118

    western cuisine

    goes to Singapore wants western cuisine.
    surely troll post.

    cleanliness

    hawker centres are generally clean. Singapore as a city is clean.

    • +85

      "Not a fussy eater" but eats only one kind of food for breakfast for the past 20 years? Lol

      • +12

        I am not a fussy eater

        Yet, nek minnit…

        cleanliness & western cuisine.

    • +32

      goes to Singapore wants western cuisine.

      Was gonna say. Why go Singapore or overseas even if only to eat western cuisine?

      • +1

        Wow. Wants to goto Singapore and worries about things to eat…

          • +64

            @AFOS: So much for 'I'm not a fussy eater'.

            You're a fussy eater.

            • +16

              @kerfuffle: OK. I agree:) I am a fussy eater.

              • +13

                @AFOS: When we backpacked around south east asia we took a variety of food dyes with us and split them up to be specific to individuals and meals so we could cross-check any tummy upsets against our rigorous food calendar (e.g. "green spraying out both ends" = meat on a stick bought off guy who sold us Mulan 2 on bluray, "orange and blue one-end only" was vending machine fish tacos and bus station bukchoy fighting it out, etc).

                With enough experience you can plan ahead and mix colours that you wouldn't normally think were possible.

            • @kerfuffle: hahahahahahaha

          • +3

            @AFOS: A lot of the western style food stalls in malls open around 10am so that's half the morning gone. Maybe skip breakfast and just go for lunch? When I travel to Singapore, part of the enjoyment are the traditional breakfasts.

            • +2

              @Transient: True, not a lot of decent western places open for breakfast. I normally don't eat at buffets but I am quite fond of the Sunday brunch buffet at Colony. It should only take your driver about 5 minutes to get there from your hotel. Prices for kids are pretty cheap but for the adults it is worth paying a little extra for the set that includes a serving of ossetra.

              • +1

                @donga100: Thanks, might try it the next time I'm there. Although the champagne brunch is a bit eyewatering at SGD 798 per adult.

                • +1

                  @Transient: Exactly what I was thinking….. Ouch….

                • +1

                  @Transient: It's actually closer to SGD $940 once you add the GST and service charge so maybe try it on a work trip where you can charge company card. The Cristal really does match perfectly with the food though and the ossetra is the good stuff, a very olive green/golden colour, not that cheap darker stuff that some places serve up. It's only once a week too so what's the harm in loosening the purse strings a little and treating yourself on the weekend?

                  • +1

                    @donga100: Just realised the Colony is at the Ritz-Carlton. I stayed there once for a work conference. Very opulent and so much food! Very tempting but I think wasted on me. For circa SGD1,000 including unlimited pours, I'd want to stay the full three hours to get my money's worth but I can see it ending not too pleasantly!

          • +22

            @AFOS: You're not going to India.

            You're going to Singapore. It's one of the most sanitised parts of Asia. Even more so than Australia.

            Upset stomachs (and worse) more often than not come from the use of unclean water when cooking or poor hygenic food prep conditions.

            One of my favourite experiences was getting Delhi belly in Delhi no less. It wasn't the curries that got to me. It was instead a KFC burger that had its ingredients sitting out too long. Did me in for half of the trip but felt so much better afterwards.

            • +3

              @tallkid123: I'm pretty relaxed when overseas etc with food but OP has politely made ot pretty clear that that doesn't work for him. We have no idea why and it's OPs business. we all have our things, for whatever reason. For some, an upset stomach might be a much worse situation than others.

            • +3

              @tallkid123: I have similar experiences after eating KFC in Australia!

              Those wicked wings sure are tasty though.

            • +3

              @tallkid123: Similar here Have travelled extensively in Asia - eat at all sorts of establishments from hotels, to markets to hawker stands and have been sick once - from a McRib burger at McDonlads KL airport where I had gone in to use the wifi.

            • +3

              @tallkid123: I had the exact same thing happen to me in Egypt, KFC got me good :(

            • +1

              @tallkid123: India has the worst hygiene in Asia….

          • +4

            @AFOS: I've been to Thailand numerous times and eaten from all sorts of restaurants and street food. I've only had an upset stomach once and even then I hadn't had anything different to my partner's family who had no issues…

            You'd be just as likely to get an upset stomach in Australia as you would in Singapore. Singapore is clean and in general I'd say their food handling is hygienic. Just stay away from spicy food if you aren't used to eating it here in Australia.

          • +4

            @AFOS: Believe me, you will not get sick eating the food in Singapore. Food hygiene standards, particularly in the hawker centres is second to none. Singapore government is very strict on those things. Tourism is their livelihood.

            I've been to Singapore many, many times, and never been sick once. At least in the hawker centres you see the food being cooked fresh for you.

            I remember being told by a tour guide many years ago that majority of food poisoning problems in Singapore were in the 5 star western hotels. No doubt that has changed now.

            • @johninmelb:

              I've been to Singapore many, many times, and never been sick once. At least in the hawker centres you see the food being cooked fresh for you.

              Yep, I go to Singapore 4-5 times a year for various reasons. Just did a 2-month stint for work. I have never, ever fallen sick from anything I've ever eaten in Singapore. I have no idea why OP is talking like it is some kind of 3rd world country with their food.

          • +1

            @AFOS: You still have 2 months to train up your stomach tolerance. Just go to all indian, mamak, sichuan chinese restaurant you can find for the next 2 months. Your stomach will get used to it. :)

          • +1

            @AFOS:

            However, if I waste even a single day of a holiday sitting with upset stomach in a toilet (or looking after a family member with the same thing), it will be a waste of almost one grand.

            You're not going to some third world country. Singapore is a fully developed nation with a strictly high standard for their food. It is comparable to Japan, if not more so.

            If you're that fussy for breakfast, Bugis Junction has a grocery store (Cold Storage in basement level). Just buy milk and cereal. Bugis also has a hawker center right next door, and a Food Republic within it which sells more Western food.

            Singaporean food should be very familiar to most of us, consisting of noodle and rice dishes. Beef, chicken and pork are common and you will fall in love with Chicken Rice.

    • You can find good western cuisine now in Singapore. Would say the ice-cream isn't as creamy. But don't hate people for their taste. It's like Bali now is more western

      • Would say the ice-cream isn't as creamy

        That's because the majority of their ice-creams are coconut milk based. rather than dairy. I love it, personally!

    • +8

      "How was the food in Singapore?" "The corn flakes taste just like ours!"

    • -1

      When I was last in Singapore, 20 years ago, the local news on the TV in the airports were complaining about how dirty the food was and how it was a national disgrace.

  • +25

    Who wants to go on a holiday and just eat in the hotel? Go out and enjoy the cheap local food at the Hawker Centres.

  • +3

    I'm sure you'll fine an international burger chain in close proximity.

      • +42

        The downside is that it is not going to look like much of a holiday…

        That comes down to you, live a little outside your comfort box.

  • +33

    To go to Singapore and worry about the availability and price of quality breakfast is a bit, crazy.

    There are an insane amount of COOKED varieties of food on offer that is much cheaper than bacon and eggs on grilled tomatos.

    At almost any hawker centre (around Bugis and indeed everywhere in Singapore there are plenty) there will be :

    • Noodles.
    • Roti
    • Nasi Lemak (coconut rice).
    • Carrot Cake (savoury).
    • Toasted bread with coconut jam.
    • Tonnes more I cannot begin to list them.

    I had cereal for breakfast today and my soul died just a bit more.

    • +3

      I prefer cereal when traveling, its quick and easy. You can be done in less then 5 mins and your day is started with 1 meal down and you can always grab something that takes your fancy when youre out.

      adding "find breakfast" to the itinerary just seems like a waste of time especially in a country that has a lot of cheap and good food, youre still often a bit full from the day before and making a decision is then harder.

      A place like SG though, I will bring something light back at night that can be eaten the next day without needing to be warmed or cooled. I can eat it for breakfast or take it and snack during the day

  • +11

    Going to Singapore is like going to Sydney or Melbourne. It is very "westernised" with all the brands of restaurants you get here. It is a very clean city. Stick to the main areas like Novena and the marina district and dont venture out into places like Geylang or Sembawang district if you dont want to eat anything "non-western".

    • -6

      Thank you. Any specific places recommendations?

      • +3

        To eat or to go and see?

        To eat, there is a big restaurant section in the Marina area, I go there when I am in Singapore, but I cant remember the name off the top of my head. Raffles Ave? or River Valley Road?? Something like those areas.

        To see… Universal Studios Island is cool. The marina district has some cool buildings and things to look at. The Merlion park. There are lots of area around where you can go and do nature walks. The night zoo is cool if that is still running. And if you really want to get that passport working for you, pop over to Malaysia and go to Legoland in Nasajaya if that's your idea of fun.

        Shopping, Novena or United shopping square. They are opposite each other and never really that busy. If you are down near the marina, Clarke Quay is good for shopping and lots of restaurants nearby as well.. Or near there is Marina Square as well.

        • Thank you. I will check it out

        • +2

          Also, Night Safari at Singapore Zoo is one of the best things on the planet (not just in Singapore). Would be great for your young family. Hell, I'm 41 and I've been 3 times, including once on my own!

      • +1

        Jolly bee. Popeyes. Mosburger.

        • Jolly bee I had in Macau and wasn’t a big fan… but Mosburger. I wish we had that in Australia. When I was in Singapore, I ate Mosburger so many times.

          • +3

            @pegaxs:

            but Mosburger. I wish we had that in Australia

            They do. There's three locations in Queensland according to Google.

            • +2

              @kerfuffle: Wooo… looks like I need to go for a road trip to QLD then… :D

            • +1

              @kerfuffle:

              They do. There's three locations in Queensland according to Google.

              They are all rubbish in comparison to what I've eaten in Japan. As a standalone burger joint, however, it's not so bad. But if you have Japan-quality expectations, you'll be disappointed.

            • @tomclancy: I don’t know if it is my connection or browser, but that page has no locations listed on it.

              • +2

                @pegaxs: It's definitely you. The page lists four locations

          • @pegaxs: The best! Wish I lived in Queensland 😭😭😭

        • I spent a lot of my childhood in the Philippines.

          Never saw the point of Jollibee when I could eat equally bad quality takeaway food from their Maccas or KFC instead.

  • +1

    I haven't been to Singapore yet, but would assume they have breakfast cereal available for purchase there? And room appears to have a minibar/fridge?

    • +20

      Goes on holiday to Singapore - only to have cereal and milk for breakfast like he has done in the last 20 years. Lol

      • +8

        I quite like the quick cereal breakfast in my room option when travelling (for sight-seeing), as it can save a lot money, and you can get out and start exploring a lot sooner. And then plenty of time for everything else listed here for lunch or dinner.

        If it is a relax/indulgence type holiday then that is a different story.

      • Goes on holiday to Singapore - only to have cereal and milk for breakfast like he has done in the last 20 years. Lol

        I'm not going to knock OP because I eat whatever I want when I'm overseas. Infact I make it a point to visit Maccas because of the variation in cuisine. In Singapore & Malaysia, their Prosperity Burger (Pork pattie in black pepper sauce) in Chinese New Year is amazing and a few years back they also had a Samurai Burger (Chicken Teriyaki) which I've been disappointed to not experience again.

        That said for brekky, I usually have a protein shake with a shot of espresso coffee blended in. Meaning I bring a bag of protein with me from Australia. To some people, food just isn't a big of a thing and I don't care for Breakfast, but I always go all out for lunch and dinner. Especially in Singapore at a hawker center.

  • +18

    have been having the same meal for breakfast for the last 20 years

    Then just pack your regular breakfast in a suitcase and prepare it in the hotel room.

  • +8

    I wouldn't bother with hotel breakfast in Singapore if it isn't included in the package.

    Just walk over to Bugis Junction https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/bugisjunction/en/stores.… and you should be fine.

    Toast box/Ya kun sells the local coffee/toast breakfast sets, Four Leaves does nice bread, Old Chang Kee for a curry puff/spring roll for breakfast…the options are plenty. If all else fails a big breakfast at Maccas will do…can't get more western than that!

    • But not much opens till 10am I found

      Except maybe old town coffee with their Kaya toast mmmmmmmm

  • +4

    I think I stayed at the same hotel with the fam a few years ago pre-COVID. The hotel was quite nice. Also Bugis Junction is quite happening, I think the mall there is also called Bugis Junction. There is a food court on the top floor.

    As others have pointed out, live a little and skip the western cuisine/breakfast at the hotel and eat at the food court. It is very clean and probably easier on your wallet than having breakfast at the hotel. That being said, breakfast in upmarket hotels in SEA countries are always very good and have a good spread. Eating out in Singapore can be quite budget friendly if you eat at food courts or hawker centres. I would say Singapore hawker centres are the cleanest among SEA countries.

    If hygiene is a concern, I often skip the ice in my drinks, either drinking it directly from the bottle/can or have hot drinks.

    • +3

      Food court unfortunately bit the dust last year….

      Wouldn't worry about the ice, things are clean in Singapore!

  • +6

    Don't forget to use cheapcheaplah or it's probably easier just to get JSQUARED to SMS you the deals directly.

    Slavoz is yet to infiltrate their forum so maybe post your questions there also.

  • +3

    Surprised at the comments about cuisine. Not wanting to eat unfamiliar dishes isn’t necessarily a comment on the cleanliness of the place, unfamiliar foods can upset your stomach, even if there is nothing wrong with them, it’s just the fact that you aren’t used to it which can cause you to be sick out of one end or both ends.

    • +10

      If they're that worried about 'unfamiliar' cuisine, then perhaps they shouldn't be traveling overseas.

      • +1

        Why not? Most affluent countries these days have western cuisines, among others. It goes the other way too, if a Chinese person came to Aus and only wanted Chinese food, they won’t find it hard unless they visit rural areas.

        You can want to visit a country without wanting to eat its cuisine. I would like to go to Vietnam, but there’s no way I’m eating spiders or one of those unhatched ducklings

      • +4

        Most people travel for reasons other than food. Stop judging.

        • +1

          sg is such a great destination for foodies though i eat 5 meals a day and walk around with the sole purpose of making more room for my next meal. each to their own

    • +4

      It's because the destination is Singapore.

      And it'd only take the OP a google search or two to realise Singapore as a whole is more advanced than any Australian city.

      • +2

        yeah ive never gotten sick in singapore. The food standards are high.

  • +2

    Don't bother going if you won't eat Singapore chilli crab, dim sum or Hawker Chan's famous soy sauce chicken and rice.

    • Hawker Chan's famous soy sauce chicken and rice

      Just go to Melbourne for that? They have Hawker Chan there

      • +3

        It's gone completely downhill. Prices have shot way up since it opened and service is non-existent.

      • +3

        It's not famous in Melbourne. It's famous in Singapore.

      • +2

        Yea if only that is the case. Tim Ho Wan is HK is so much better than the one in Melbourne.

  • +2

    Stayed at Intercontinental Bugis a couple of years ago, if you're staying there then you'll be just down the road from Singapore Zam Zam & Victory Restaurant (among others) which have incredible murtabak and biryani. As others have mentioned there are huge amounts of food options if you want to step outside your comfort zone.

    Definitely one of my favourite places that I've been able to visit with the food at the hawker centres being a huge drawcard.

  • +8

    There are plenty of options like Breadtop, and all western fast food including places like Starbucks and local equivalents.
    I personally would urge you to try some local food. You can ask for no chili if spice is an issue. Many of the comments scoffing above are because the cuisine is definitely one of the things SG is proudest of, and with good reason.

    It would be like going to Italy and declining pizza and pasta.

    • +1

      Starbucks always useful to sample coffee just as terrible as it is in their Australian outlets.

  • Big thanks to everyone!
    Plenty of good advice / suggestions.
    Got the idea now on what to do.

    • Someone is hating you, so here's a +1

  • +3

    packet of tissues on the table or chair means it is reserved.

    • chilli and pepper crab, (no signboard seafood)
    • kaya toast and soft boiled egg,
    • satay sticks .. (lau pa sat)
    • fresh squeezed lemon drink (calamansi)
    • grilled sting ray (spicy)
    • ice cream sandwich
    • anything pandan and coconut
    • frog congee made in a clay pot.
    • chicken, mushroom and chinese sausage claypot rice
    • all the exotic fruits you can get your hands on.
    • ipoh rice noodle soup
  • +5

    I have stayed at the Intercon Bugis Junction many, many times, including 2 weeks ago. The hotel is on top of a shopping centre (Bugis Junction funnily enough) with a wide variety of asian and western cuisine in probably 100 food and beverage outlets and restaurants.

    Although I would recommend you be a little more adventurous, almost every building in the downtown area has a restaurant on the ground floor. Even as simple as;
    - literally crossing the road from the Intercon (north Bridge Road) to Liang Seah Street and Tan Quee Lan Street which are lined with all sorts of restaurants
    - walking 5-10 minutes to to Little India, Little Arabia, Broadway (Sim Lim) food court…

    You will not go hungry!

  • +3

    Chicken rice or go back home!

  • i heard malaysia banned chicken imports into singapore so the hawker chicken rice stands are facing a chicken shortage

  • +2

    Signup to this and get free breakfast at the hotel?
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/701244

  • +2

    go to McDonalds for breakfast

    • I never eat maccas in aus, but the second I go overseas I'm like "hmmm lets check out the maccas selections". So exotic /s

      • +1

        Try the mcspicy in singapore. That is a proper burger unlike the travesty they have over here in Australia.

        Also the KFC is on a different level

  • +1

    Singapore Trip, Eating Options for a Family

    With some fava beans and a nice chianti?

  • +1

    100% Toast Box for breakfast. Can have egg sets or just toast. Get a milo dinosaur, you won’t be disappointed.

  • +1

    I hear SGP has really good KFC

  • +2

    TBH just fly there on SQ, have the Boon Tong Kee chicken rice on business class.

    The mind boggles. Flies to SG and western breakfasts are the main concern.

    • Not main concern just a question raised.

  • +1

    Maccas in Bugis Junction (next to your hotel) if you're not adventurous.

    Rocky Masters 3 minutes walk across the street should have a mix of western and local cuisine in a cafe setting. https://goo.gl/maps/uoSWcbPnymetJ5Kz7

    So is Hanis in the National Library - https://goo.gl/maps/J1Gf2GFCyYYvNF897

    There's also a food court in the mall where you hotel is situated with a mix of local and western cuisine. You'll be fine :)

    You won't find a buffet-style breakfast that is not in a hotel but you will have plenty of choices in that area.

    • This is very specific advice. Thanks a lot! I will try these.

  • +1

    Is this your first time to Singapore, OP? You won't be short on food options in Singapore. It's like a food capital.

    I'd kill for some Roti prata or Cakwe with porridge at a local hawker centre. If you must stick to western food (seriously?), plenty of fast food joints anywhere you walk in Bugis and surrounding areas.

    • -1

      Actually, I spent a week in Singapore about 10 years ago.

      Feels like eternity now. Can't remember much about food. Definitely was ample. The only thing that really stunned me was almost the total lack of ice-cream and how expensive it was in comparison with Australia.

      I was taken by surprise when at a local café I ordered a "fruit ice cream" (or something like that) and was given a bowl of mixed berries surrounded by a pack of ice. Not something that I had in mind…

      I understand everybody's sentiment. It is just with a child on board I would prefer to play it safe.

      • +4

        While I understand your concern for wanting to play it safe, it's an absolute shame if you don't try the local cuisine. The tap water in Singapore is at least a couple of notches more hygienic compared to Australia and absolutely safe to drink out of. The food hygiene is comparable to any Australian capital city.

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