Overview
Outram Park, nestled next to the trendy Tiong Bahru neighborhood, offers an impressive culinary landscape ranging from traditional hawker fare to contemporary cafes. This guide explores the area’s diverse dining options, analyzing their signature dishes, ambience, and unique characteristics.
1. Mount Faber Nasi Lemak
Ambience & Setting
Traditional hawker-style setup with casual outdoor seating. The no-frills environment focuses entirely on the food, creating an authentic local dining experience popular with both residents and workers in the area.
Signature Dishes
Set B Nasi Lemak ($4)
- Components: Coconut rice, fried chicken wing, otah, egg, ikan bilis, peanuts
- Dish Analysis: An exceptional value proposition that delivers on all traditional nasi lemak elements
- Key Features:
- Ultra-crispy chicken wings with satisfying crunch
- Fragrant coconut rice with proper texture
- Well-balanced combination of proteins and aromatics
- Dish Traits: Comfort food, affordable, authentic Singaporean
Add-ons Available:
- Crispy Chicken Drumstick (+$2.50)
- Additional Chicken Wing (+$1.30)
- Curry chicken, prawns, vegetables
Operating Hours
Mon-Sat: 11am to 2:30am | Sun: 3:30pm to 4:30am
Delivery Options
Contact via phone for takeaway: 9788 9899
2. Tong Ah Eating House
Ambience & Setting
Historic kopitiam with traditional tiles and wooden furniture. Morning hours bring the comforting aroma of kaya toast and coffee, while evenings transform into a lively zi char dining space with communal tables.
Signature Dishes
Traditional Kaya Toast Set ($4.90+)
- Components: Toast, two soft-boiled eggs, beverage
- Dish Analysis: Quintessential Singaporean breakfast executed with precision
- Key Features:
- Perfectly toasted bread with crispy exterior
- Generous kaya spread with coconut-egg richness
- Runny soft-boiled eggs ideal for dipping
- Variations: French Toast with Kaya, Steamed Bread with Kaya, Crispy Thin Toast
Evening Zi Char Menu:
- Claypot Fragrance Chicken ($10+/$12+/$15+)
- Salted Egg Yolk String Beans ($10+/$12+/$15+)
Cooking Style
Traditional preparation methods maintaining authentic flavors passed down through generations.
Operating Hours
Thu-Tue: 7am to 10pm | Wed: 7am to 2pm
3. Bao Makers
Ambience & Setting
Modern casual dining space with contemporary decor. The open kitchen allows diners to watch bao being prepared and steamed, adding an interactive element to the experience.
Signature Dishes
Salmon Mentaiko Bao ($4.30++)
- Components: Fried salmon fillet, torched mentaiko sauce, steamed mantou
- Dish Analysis: Innovative fusion combining Japanese flavors with Chinese bao format
- Key Features:
- Thick, crispy salmon fillet maintaining moisture
- Creamy, umami-rich mentaiko coating with torch marks
- Soft, fluffy steamed bun providing textural contrast
- Dish Facets: Fusion cuisine, Instagram-worthy, innovative
Other Bao Varieties:
- Chilli Crab Bao ($4.50++): Sweet-spicy crab filling in Singapore style
- Salted Egg Chicken Bao ($4.30++): Trendy salted egg yolk coating on fried chicken
- Veggie Bao ($3.80++): Plant-based option with fresh vegetables
Additional Menu Items:
- Lobster Pasta ($29++)
- Chicken Cheese Volcano ($13++)
Dish Traits
Creative, fusion-forward, shareable portions
Operating Hours
Tue-Thu: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-9pm | Fri: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10pm | Sat-Sun: 10:30am-3:30pm, 6pm-10pm
4. Steamov
Ambience & Setting
Late-night hotspot with conveyor belt system. Bright, energetic atmosphere with individual hot pot stations. Perfect for solo diners or small groups seeking interactive dining.
Menu Structure
Individual Hot Pot System
- Soup Base ($5): Choose from Mushroom & Black Chicken, Herbal Duck, Spicy Pot
- Skewered Items ($1 each): Fish balls, lotus root, beancurd skin, and more
- Premium Items: Beef Rolls ($10), Pork Bellies ($8)
Dish Features
- Interactive dining: Self-service conveyor belt
- Customizable: Build your own combination
- Convenient: Pre-skewered ingredients
Cooking Instructions
- Select soup base and wait for boiling
- Add ingredients based on cooking time (root vegetables first, leafy greens last)
- Shabu-shabu method for thin meat slices (3-5 seconds)
- Enjoy items as they cook
Operating Hours
Daily: 11am to 6am (Perfect for late-night cravings)
5. Foong Kee Coffee Shop
Ambience & Setting
Old-school kopitiam with single roast meat stall. Minimalist, no-frills setup with marble tables and simple wooden stools. Authentic neighborhood atmosphere where regulars gather.
Signature Dishes
Wanton Noodles ($4)
- Components: Egg noodles, soy sauce, char siew, dumplings in soup
- Dish Analysis: Traditional preparation focusing on noodle texture and char siew quality
- Key Features:
- Springy egg noodles with proper alkaline bite
- Caramelized char siew with fat-meat balance
- Clear, flavorful dumpling soup
- Dish Traits: Nostalgic, economical, comfort food
Combination Option (+$1.50): Includes char siew, sio bak (roast pork belly), and dumplings
Operating Hours
Mon-Fri: 11am-8pm | Sat: 11am-5:30pm
6. Shake Shack
Ambience & Setting
Modern American burger chain with contemporary design. Bright interior with communal seating and efficient counter service. Casual atmosphere with consistent branding.
Signature Dishes
Shackburger (from $9.20)
- Components: 100% Angus beef patty, lettuce, tomato, ShackSauce, potato bun
- Dish Analysis: Premium fast-casual burger with quality ingredients
- Key Features:
- Juicy Angus beef with proper char
- Proprietary sauce balancing tang and creaminess
- Squishy potato bun absorbing juices
- Dish Traits: American-style, indulgent, consistent quality
Open Sesame Concrete ($7.50)
- Frozen custard meets black sesame for Asian twist
Operating Hours
Sun-Thu: 11am-9:30pm | Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm
Delivery Options
Available via major food delivery platforms
7. Stranger’s Reunion
Ambience & Setting
Cozy industrial-chic cafe with exposed brick and natural lighting. Relaxed weekend brunch atmosphere with specialty coffee focus. Popular with cafe-hoppers and remote workers.
Signature Dishes
Baked Eggs ($15.90+)
- Dish Analysis: Hearty Mediterranean-inspired breakfast
- Key Features: Runny yolks, rich tomato base, crusty bread
Truffle Tagliatelle ($17.90+)
- Dish Traits: Indulgent, aromatic, pasta-forward
Strange Breakfast ($20.50+)
- Full breakfast spread with multiple components
Milo Crumble and Caramelised Banana Waffles ($12.90+)
- Components: Buttermilk waffles, Milo crumble, caramelized bananas
- Dish Analysis: Local twist on classic waffles
- Key Features:
- Fluffy buttermilk waffles with crispy edges
- Nostalgic Milo flavor profile
- Sweet-savory banana caramelization
Operating Hours
Daily: 9am-6pm
8. Three Buns (Potato Head Singapore)
Ambience & Setting
Hip, energetic space with industrial-modern design. Music-focused atmosphere with DJ booth. Younger crowd attracted to the bar-restaurant hybrid concept.
Signature Dishes
Baby Huey ($18+)
- Components: Angus beef patty, cheese, pickles, spiced mayo, brioche buns
- Dish Analysis: Classic American burger with quality execution
- Key Features:
- Buttery brioche buns toasted perfectly
- Well-seasoned beef with proper sear
- Balanced condiments enhancing beef flavor
- Dish Traits: Decadent, juicy, indulgent
Truffle Hound ($16++)
- Components: Prime beef frankfurter, roasted portobello, truffle cheese
- Dish Features: Elevated hot dog with premium ingredients
The Naughty Fries Jnr ($9++)
- Components: Fries, beef chili, fried shallots, cheese
- Dish Analysis: Loaded fries with multiple textures and flavors
Operating Hours
Tue-Sun: 11am-11:30pm
Delivery Options
Available through food delivery apps
9. Keong Saik Bakery
Ambience & Setting
Modern bakery-cafe with pastel aesthetics and display cases. Instagram-worthy interior with Asian-inspired pastries on full display. Grab-and-go friendly with limited seating.
Signature Dishes
Matcha Burnt Cheese Cruffin ($6.50)
- Components: Croissant-muffin hybrid, matcha cream, torched cheese
- Dish Analysis: Trendy fusion pastry combining multiple techniques
- Key Features:
- Flaky croissant layers with muffin structure
- Earthy matcha balanced with burnt cheese
- Multiple textural elements (crispy, creamy, flaky)
- Dish Facets: Trendy, photogenic, fusion dessert
Traditional Asian Desserts:
- Chendol Delight ($7.50): Local flavors in cake form
- Orh Nee Cake ($7): Yam paste traditional dessert reimagined
- Attap Chee Rose Cheesecake ($7.50): Palm seed and rose fusion
Sor Hei ($3.80)
- Black and white Danish with chocolate chips
Operating Hours
Daily: 8am-8pm
Recipe Inspiration: Recreating Outram Flavors at Home
Mount Faber-Style Nasi Lemak
Ingredients:
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 pandan leaves
- Chicken wings
- Eggs
- Ikan bilis, peanuts
- Sambal, otah
Cooking Instructions:
- Rinse rice until water runs clear
- Combine rice, coconut milk, water, pandan leaves, pinch of salt
- Cook rice cooker or pot until fluffy
- Marinate chicken wings (turmeric, salt, garlic)
- Deep fry wings at 180°C until golden and crispy
- Fry ikan bilis and peanuts separately until fragrant
- Soft boil eggs (6 minutes)
- Assemble plate with rice, chicken, egg, condiments
Ka-Soh-Inspired Fish Soup
Note: While this recipe is inspired by traditional fish soup techniques, Ka-Soh Restaurant is no longer included in this guide.
Ingredients:
- 1kg fish bones (snapper or grouper)
- 400g fresh fish fillets, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, quartered
- Ginger slices
- Chinese wine
- Salt, white pepper
- Noodles of choice
Cooking Instructions:
- Blanch fish bones to remove impurities
- In large pot, fry ginger until fragrant
- Add fish bones, cover with water
- Add wine and tomatoes
- Simmer on medium heat for 2-3 hours (key step for creaminess)
- Strain soup, season with salt and white pepper
- Cook noodles separately
- Heat soup to gentle simmer, add fresh fish slices (30 seconds)
- Assemble bowl with noodles, soup, fish slices
Delivery & Takeaway Options Summary
Delivery Available:
- Shake Shack (via major platforms)
- Three Buns (via food delivery apps)
- Bao Makers (check website)
Takeaway Friendly:
- Mount Faber Nasi Lemak
- Tong Ah Eating House
- Foong Kee Coffee Shop
- Keong Saik Bakery
Dine-In Recommended:
- Steamov (hot pot experience)
- Stranger’s Reunion (brunch atmosphere)
Dining Strategy by Time of Day
Breakfast (7am-11am):
- Tong Ah Eating House: Traditional kaya toast
- Keong Saik Bakery: Pastries and coffee
Lunch (11am-3pm):
- Mount Faber Nasi Lemak: Affordable local lunch
- Bao Makers: Innovative bao burgers
Afternoon Snack (3pm-6pm):
- Stranger’s Reunion: Coffee and waffles
- Keong Saik Bakery: Asian-inspired desserts
Dinner (6pm-10pm):
- Three Buns: Burgers and bar atmosphere
- Tong Ah Eating House: Zi char dishes
- Shake Shack: Fast-casual American
Late Night/Supper (10pm-6am):
- Mount Faber Nasi Lemak: Open till 2:30am
- Steamov: Individual hot pot till 6am
Price Point Analysis
Budget ($5 and under):
- Mount Faber Nasi Lemak
- Foong Kee Coffee Shop
- Tong Ah Eating House breakfast
Mid-Range ($5-$15):
- Bao Makers
- Stranger’s Reunion
- Keong Saik Bakery
Premium ($15+):
- Three Buns
- Bao Makers pasta dishes
- Stranger’s Reunion full breakfast
Conclusion
Outram Park’s culinary scene offers remarkable diversity within a compact area. From heritage hawker establishments to modern fusion cafes pushing creative boundaries, the neighborhood caters to every palate and budget. The area’s strength lies in its ability to preserve traditional food culture while embracing contemporary dining trends, making it an essential destination for food enthusiasts exploring Singapore.