ICON Link@ClubStreet: A Comprehensive Food Guide

by | Nov 30, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Overview

ICON Link@ClubStreet represents a welcome addition to Singapore’s CBD dining scene, offering an underground haven for office workers and visitors seeking quality, affordable meals. Strategically located beneath the Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre hotel with direct access to Telok Ayer MRT Station and proximity to Chinatown MRT, this mall addresses a crucial need for convenient, budget-friendly dining options in the heart of the business district.

Location & Accessibility

Strengths: The mall’s underground positioning provides shelter from Singapore’s unpredictable weather, while dual MRT connectivity makes it exceptionally accessible. For CBD workers, this translates to less time spent commuting to lunch spots and more time actually enjoying their break.

Considerations: Being underground means limited natural light, which may not appeal to those seeking a brighter dining atmosphere. The newness of the mall also means operating hours are still being finalized for some establishments.

The Dining Options: In-Depth Analysis

1. Fun Toast ★★★★☆

The Heritage Factor: With roots dating back to 1941 as Kheng Nam Hong, Fun Toast brings authentic old-school breakfast culture to a modern setting. This isn’t just another kaya toast franchise—it’s a piece of Singapore’s culinary history.

Menu Highlights:

  • Kaya Butter Toast Set ($5.90): The standout value proposition here cannot be overstated. This is genuinely the most affordable kaya butter toast set among major franchises in Singapore. You get traditional brown bread with butter, soft-boiled eggs, and kopi—a complete breakfast that respects both your wallet and tradition.
  • Variety Beyond the Classic: The Egg Mayo Toast ($6.10) and Min Jiang Kueh Soft Bun ($6.10) show creativity, while the Honey Butter French Toast ($5.60) offers a slightly Western twist.

The Verdict: For traditionalists and budget-conscious diners alike, Fun Toast delivers exceptional value without compromising on authenticity. The crispy brown bread execution appears solid, making this a reliable morning anchor for the mall.

Best For: Early risers, breakfast meetings, nostalgic Singaporeans

2. Tomoro Coffee ★★★★☆

The Indonesian Connection: Tomoro Coffee’s expansion from Indonesia to Singapore (first at NUS in 2024) brings fresh competition to the city’s saturated coffee scene with an interesting value proposition.

What Sets It Apart:

  • 100% Arabica at Sub-$6 Pricing: In an era where specialty coffee routinely exceeds $7, Tomoro’s commitment to keeping regular-sized drinks under $6 while using quality Arabica beans is noteworthy.
  • Signature Drinks: The Manuka Oat Latte ($5.90) introduces honey complexity to the standard latte format, offering something genuinely different. The Tomoro Oat Latte ($5.50) serves as a solid baseline.
  • Non-Coffee Options: Hojicha Oat Latte and Matcha Oat Latte (both $5.90) ensure tea drinkers aren’t afterthoughts.

The Reality Check: While prices are attractive, the true test lies in whether quality matches established specialty coffee standards. The NUS outlet’s success suggests they’re doing something right.

Best For: Budget-conscious coffee enthusiasts, students, those seeking alternatives to mainstream chains

3. Hazukido ★★★★★

The Premium Player: Among the mall’s offerings, Hazukido stands out as the indulgent option, and rightfully so. This Japanese-style croissant bakery doesn’t just make pastries—it creates edible art.

Why It Excels:

  • 25+ Flavors: This isn’t hyperbole for marketing; the variety genuinely offers something for every palate, from conservative to adventurous eaters.
  • The Taro & Pudding ($6.50): A flaky croissant filled “to the brim” with sweet taro paste and house-made pudding exemplifies what sets Hazukido apart. The attention to filling ratios and house-made components justifies the premium.
  • Balanced Portfolio: From the approachable Sea Salt Butter ($4.50) to the luxurious Queen Crab Truffle Cream ($7.80) with crab stick, truffle cream, and parmesan, the range accommodates various budgets and occasions.
  • Bestsellers That Earn Their Status: Caramel Almond & Custard ($6.80) and Hazelnut Chocolate ($7.50) represent reliable crowd-pleasers.

Operating Hours Note: Limited hours (9am-3:30pm weekdays, closing at 2:30pm Fridays) mean you need to plan visits accordingly. This isn’t a spontaneous dinner option.

Best For: Treating yourself, impressing clients, pastry enthusiasts, Instagram-worthy moments

4. Amps Tea ★★★★☆

The CHAGEE Connection: Operated by the same team behind CHAGEE, Amps Tea enters a competitive bubble tea market with the advantage of proven expertise.

Menu Structure: Five distinct series (Latte, Fruit Tea, Cold Brew, Fresh Brew, Handcrafted Ice Blended) suggest thoughtful categorization rather than random menu sprawl.

Standout Orders:

  • Triple Peach Season Tea ($6.20): The “sweet-tangy balance” description indicates careful flavor calibration, essential for fruit teas that often skew too sweet.
  • Da Hong Pao Latte ($6.40): Using oolong tea as the base, this offers a more sophisticated profile than standard milk tea, with “full-bodied” flavor and mild sweetness appealing to adult palates.

Topping Options: Cheese Top ($1.80), White Pearls ($1.20), and Osmanthus Jelly ($1.20) are priced reasonably and offer traditional to trendy choices.

Best For: Tea aficionados, those seeking alternatives to standard milk tea, hot day refreshment

5. Cooking Panda ★★★☆☆

The Dual Concept: Combining mala tang with coffee is unconventional, addressing the real lunch crunch challenge of getting both sustenance and caffeine within limited time.

How It Works:

  • Mala Tang Pricing: $3.20 per 100g with diverse ingredients (beef, lobster balls, beancurd skin) follows the standard weight-based model. This allows customization but requires mental math to avoid bill shock.
  • Coffee Menu: Coconut Americano ($5.50) and Black Coffee ($4) provide the essential caffeine component.

The Practical Assessment: While the concept solves a genuine problem, success depends heavily on execution quality for both the mala tang (spice level control, broth quality, ingredient freshness) and coffee (extraction quality, bean selection). Limited operating hours (11am-8pm weekdays only) restrict weekend accessibility.

Best For: Adventurous eaters, those seeking meal-plus-coffee efficiency, spice lovers

6. Super Ngon Vietnamese Noodle Cafe ★★★★☆

The Comfort Food Champion: Vietnamese noodle soups represent some of the most universally beloved comfort foods, and Super Ngon positions itself as a casual, accessible option.

Core Offerings:

  • Beef Noodle Soup ($10.90): Beef bone broth foundation suggests commitment to proper flavor development. The availability of both soup and dry versions ($11.50) caters to different preferences.
  • Beef Noodle Special ($12.90): Adding gelatinous tendon appeals to texture enthusiasts and those seeking the full Vietnamese pho experience.
  • Chicken Noodle Soup ($9.90): A necessary alternative for non-beef eaters, priced slightly lower.

The Fresh Factor: Emphasizing “freshly made rice noodles” indicates attention to a crucial component that many establishments overlook by using pre-made noodles.

Operating Hours: Closing at 3pm on Sundays and 8pm other days means this isn’t a late dinner option.

Best For: Soup lovers, those seeking warming meals, Vietnamese cuisine enthusiasts, rainy day dining

7. Mount Faber Nasi Lemak ★★★★★

The Legacy Player: Established in 1975, Mount Faber Nasi Lemak brings nearly 50 years of experience to ICON Link. This longevity in Singapore’s competitive food scene speaks volumes.

Menu Analysis:

  • Chicken Wing Set ($6.80): The “hotcakes” comparison indicates this is the crowd favorite. Coconut rice, deep-fried chicken wing, long beans, egg, peanuts, and ikan bilis deliver the complete nasi lemak experience at an extremely reasonable price point.
  • Drumstick Set ($7.80): A $1 premium for a meatier protein option shows sensible pricing strategy.
  • Lamb Curry Set ($8): This “interesting alternative” with creamy lamb curry, soft potatoes, and long beans demonstrates innovation while respecting tradition. Not many nasi lemak stalls venture into lamb territory, making this a potential differentiator.

Value Proposition: For under $10, getting a complete, satisfying meal from a nearly 50-year-old establishment represents outstanding value in CBD pricing.

Best For: Nasi lemak purists, those seeking affordable local cuisine, anyone wanting tried-and-tested quality

8. Domino’s Pizza ★★★☆☆

The Familiar Face: Domino’s needs little introduction, but its inclusion at ICON Link serves a specific purpose: accessible group dining and grab-and-go convenience.

Offering Highlights:

  • Classic Reliability: Simply Cheese and Classic Pepperoni (both from $25.90) provide familiar options for conservative eaters or safe office lunch orders.
  • Indulgent Option: Cheese Volcano Hawaiian Paradise (from $38.90) caters to those seeking maximum cheese and flavor intensity.
  • Awesome Foursome ($20.50): Combining cinnadots, mozzarella sticks, chicken crunchies, and chicken sides (drummets or wings) offers variety for sharing, though the sodium content likely runs high.

Extended Hours: Operating until 11pm daily makes this the latest food option in the mall, valuable for those working late or seeking dinner options.

Halal Certification: Being halal-certified increases accessibility for Muslim diners, an important consideration in Singapore’s diverse food landscape.

Best For: Group orders, late dinners, families seeking familiar options, those requiring halal certification

Pricing Analysis

The mall’s pricing strategy clusters around the $5-$12 range for individual meals, positioning it squarely in the affordable-to-moderate category. This is particularly competitive given the CBD location where nearby options often command premium prices.

Best Value: Fun Toast ($5.90 kaya toast set) and Mount Faber Nasi Lemak ($6.80-$8 sets)

Mid-Range Sweet Spot: Hazukido ($4.50-$7.80), Amps Tea ($6.20-$6.40), Tomoro Coffee (under $6)

Group/Premium Options: Domino’s Pizza ($25.90+), Hazukido’s premium pastries

Dietary Considerations

Halal Options: Only Domino’s Pizza carries halal certification, which may disappoint Muslim diners hoping for more choices.

Vegetarian/Vegan Potential: While not explicitly highlighted, Cooking Panda’s mala tang, Amps Tea, Tomoro Coffee, and potentially Hazukido’s pastries could accommodate plant-based diets with proper selection.

Allergy Awareness: The guide doesn’t mention allergy accommodations, something worth inquiring about directly with each establishment.

The Mall’s Character

ICON Link@ClubStreet appears designed with the working professional in mind. The mix of quick breakfast (Fun Toast), coffee runs (Tomoro Coffee, Cooking Panda), substantial lunches (Super Ngon, Mount Faber, Cooking Panda), afternoon treats (Hazukido, Amps Tea), and late dinner (Domino’s) covers the full spectrum of workday dining needs.

What’s Missing:

  • Higher-end dinner options for client entertainment
  • Bars or evening social spaces
  • More diverse international cuisines (no Korean, Thai, or Mediterranean options)
  • Healthy/salad-focused eateries
  • More halal-certified choices

Comparison to Competing Malls

Versus Telok Ayer Street: ICON Link offers climate control and concentration, while Telok Ayer Street provides more diversity and authentic atmosphere at the cost of weather exposure.

Versus Raffles Place Food Courts: Better ambiance and quality than standard food courts, with comparable or slightly higher pricing.

Versus Marina Bay Area: Significantly more affordable while maintaining quality, though with less prestige dining.

Final Verdict: ★★★★☆

ICON Link@ClubStreet succeeds admirably at its core mission: providing CBD workers and visitors with convenient, affordable, quality dining options. The mix of heritage establishments (Fun Toast, Mount Faber), trendy newcomers (Tomoro Coffee, Amps Tea), and premium treats (Hazukido) creates a balanced ecosystem that can satisfy most cravings without breaking the bank.

Strengths:

  • Exceptional value-for-money across most establishments
  • Strong heritage and authenticity (Fun Toast, Mount Faber)
  • Weather-protected, convenient location
  • Good variety for a relatively compact space
  • Extended hours coverage (6am potential through 11pm)

Areas for Improvement:

  • Limited halal options beyond Domino’s
  • Some establishments still finalizing operating hours
  • Could benefit from healthier/lighter meal options
  • Lack of evening/bar culture for after-work socializing
  • Underground setting may feel claustrophobic to some

Practical Recommendations

For First-Time Visitors: Start with Mount Faber Nasi Lemak for authentic local flavor or Hazukido if you’re in a treat-yourself mood.

For Regular Rotation: Establish a weekly circuit: Fun Toast Mondays, Tomoro Coffee + Cooking Panda Tuesdays, Super Ngon Wednesdays, Mount Faber Thursdays, Hazukido Friday treats.

For Group Outings: Domino’s Pizza for safe, shareable options, or coordinate individual orders from different establishments for variety.

For Budget-Conscious Dining: Stick to Fun Toast, Mount Faber Nasi Lemak, and Tomoro Coffee for maximum value.

For Special Occasions: Hazukido’s premium pastries warrant the splurge for celebrations or client meetings.

Conclusion

ICON Link@ClubStreet fills a genuine gap in Singapore’s CBD dining landscape. It won’t replace destination dining or weekend food adventures, but for weekday sustenance that respects both quality and budget, it punches well above its weight. The blend of nostalgia (Fun Toast, Mount Faber), innovation (Hazukido, Amps Tea), and practicality (Domino’s, Cooking Panda) creates a microcosm of Singapore’s food culture in an accessible, climate-controlled package.

For CBD workers tired of the same rotating lunch spots or tourists seeking convenient access to diverse Singaporean flavors without the hawker center learning curve, ICON Link@ClubStreet deserves a prominent position on your dining map.

Overall Rating: 8.0/10

The missing points come from limited halal options, some uncertainty around operating hours, and the need for more diverse cuisines. However, for its intended purpose and target audience, ICON Link@ClubStreet delivers admirably and will likely become a weekday staple for many in the area.