From eating at restaurants in big groups to tabao-ing to eat together, fellowship after church services is almost always centred around food! Self-professed “food connoisseur Joey Kuan, a 17-year-old in a youth cell group, shares her top 10 picks for affordable eating around Suntec Singapore.
Whether you attend the City Harvest Church service on Saturday or Sunday, one recurring question week after week for any cell group is: “Where shall we eat after service?”
This is especially true for the youths in the church who have thinner wallets and thus fewer options in such a place in the city as Suntec Singapore. This is why I have compiled a list of the top 10 most unique and affordable food places around Suntec Convention which are perfect for fellowship.
DON DON DONKI
3 Temasek Boulevard, Tower 5, West Wing, #02-379-387
Opening hours: Daily 9am-11pm
Photo from Don Don Donki’s Instagram
Don Don Donki holds a special place in the hearts of many: it is almost mandatory to enter the Japanese supermarket in every mall that has a branch. From the large variety of fresh produce and authentic Japanese facial products, to the kitchen utensils and anime figurines, Donki has lots to offer. Its equally vast selection of ready-made food is a hidden gem.
Conveniently located at Level 2 of Suntec City Mall’s West Wing, a few steps from the escalators exiting the convention centre, Don Don Donki is my go-to when I’m looking for a quick and easy meal. You can choose from a large selection of ready-made Japanese bento sets that usually come with rice, a portion of protein (beef sukiyaki, teriyaki chicken, hotate, takoyaki and much more), and vegetables for a healthy and balanced meal from just $6.90!
SUKIYA
3 Temasek Boulevard, East Wing, #01-647
Opening hours: Daily 10am-10pm
Photo of Gyudon from Sukiya.com
By now you probably can tell that I absolutely adore Japanese food and could eat it for all three meals in a day. Sukiya (not to be confused with hotpot buffet Suki-Ya) has been a personal favourite. Although it is located at the East Wing, which is a long walk from CHC, the quality of its food at such an affordable price makes the journey worthwhile.
The Japanese eatery offers authentic-tasting Japanese beef bowls—gyudon—among other menu items. Its melted cheese beef bowl is one of its most popular dishes. It is just as awesome as it sounds—a piping hot bowl of sticky rice, juicy and flavourful beef slices, topped with three different types of gooey, melted cheese. To beef and cheese lovers, that bowl is a taste of paradise.
This delicious goodness comes in sizes from small to extra large, and the prices range from $6.80 to $11.50 respectively. Sukiya is the perfect place for a lunch or dinner meetup, as well as fellowship over scrumptious beef bowls straight out of the land of the rising sun!
GOPIZZA
3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-365
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs: 11am-9pm; Fri: 11am-9.30pm; Sat-Sun: 10.30am-9.30pm
Beef Bulgogi Pizza. Photo from GoPizza.sg
GoPizza is a Korean franchise that is well-known for its affordable pizza with a large variety of flavours. Besides the usual pizza flavours, GoPizza also offers Korean-inspired flavours like Beef Bulgogi and Yangnyum Chicken.
Besides pizza and pasta, it also offers delicious Korean street food, such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and yangnyum chicken (spicy fried chicken), cheese sticks and kimchi fries! A classic cheese pizza sets you back $7.90, and a set meal with choice of pizza or pasta, drink and side, costs $12.90.
GoPizza is also conveniently located on the first floor of Suntec City Mall, a short walk through the mall entrance next to Suntec’s The Big Picture LED screen.
ASTONS SPECIALITIES
3 Temasek Boulevard, Tower 3, #B1-161/162
Opening hours: Daily 11.30am-10pm
Photo from astonsspecialities.com
Astons’ Specialities is home to some of the best steaks, chargrilled chicken and deep-fried fish dishes. It features slightly higher priced, but legendary-tasting set meals. Prices average $15 per set for a super filling and yummy main course, with a wide variety of side dishes to choose from. I would definitely recommend their fries and mac ‘n’ cheese!
It may cost a little more, but Astons’ at Suntec City Tower 3 is definitely a good place for big group fellowship. It has a cozy and homely feel, with good vibes all around. (Tip: there are usually long queues during lunch and dinner peak hours, so do get there early!)
JOLLIBEE
3 Temasek Boulevard, West Wing, #B1-123/124
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 11.30am-8.30pm; Sun: 12-8.30pm
Photo from Jollibeefoods.com
Jollibee is undoubtedly popular for its absolutely phenomenal fried chicken with mushroom gravy sauce, usually bought in a set with their banana-ketchup spaghetti. A simple one-piece chicken and spaghetti meal that comes with a drink costs around $8 and is one of my favourite fried chicken treats.
Jollibee in Suntec City Mall is extremely convenient to get to: it is located on the immediate right of the escalator down to Basement 1 in the West Wing. This is a quick and easy takeaway option for cell groups who like to fellowship at the church’s Hotspot after service. (Tip: If you have the Foodpanda app, order your meal for pick up and skip the super long queue!)
WONDERFUL BAPSANG
3 Temasek Boulevard, Tower 3, East Wing, #02-609/610
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 11.30am-3pm, 5.30-10pm; Sun: 11.30am-10pm
Photo from Wonderful Bapsang’s Facebook page
Located on the second level along the walkway linking the North and East Wing, you will smell the aroma of sesame oil before you see this shopfront. The sight that greets you at Wonderful Bap-Sang is a big display of freshly made gimbap (Korean rice rolls with various fillings), boiling pots of tteokbokki and eomuk tang (fishcake soup), and shelves selling authentic Korean snacks.
This is one of my go-tos when I need a quick and easy meal to bring back to church for lunch. I would typically grab a box of gimbap stuffed with ham, and a boiling hot bowl of eomuk tang with pieces of chewy fishcake. It definitely hits the spot when I’m craving warm comfort food!
A box of freshly prepared gimbap varies in price depending on its fillings. My usual, the ham gimbap, costs $8.90 per box, and the fishcake soup costs $3 per stick of fishcake, served in a bowl of the most delicious soup.
Korean specialty drinks such as Milkis and pear soda can also be found in the fridge further inside the store—it doesn’t get more satisfying than this!
YANG GUO FU MALA TANG @ ESPLANADE XCHANGE
Bras Basah Road, Esplanade Xchange, #B1-27 (above Esplanade MRT)
Opening hours: Daily 10am-10pm
Photo from Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang’s Instagram
If you’re tired of the food in Suntec City Mall or simply too lazy to walk to the East side of the mall, there are many other offerings in the areas surrounding Suntec’s convention centre. Many youth cell groups already frequent this humble mala tang (mala soup) place located at Esplanade Xchange, a stone’s throw away from Suntec Singapore.
Since its opening, Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang has become a popular spot for CHC youths to satisfy their mala cravings after service. Many order takeaways to bring back to the church’s Hotspot to enjoy—recognisable by the iconic green bag that the takeaway food comes in. Though mala tang is the main attraction, I’ve personally taken a liking to its tomato soup base.
Like all other mala tang eateries, patrons get to pick their own ingredients. The cashier weighs the ingredients and rings up the total accordingly. Though it’s on the pricy side, with an average lunch usually costing around $15, Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang makes for an incredibly filling meal, sure to leave you happy and satisfied.
SAIZERIYA @ MARINA SQUARE
6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-207
Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm
Photo from Saizeriya’s Instagram
Saizeriya is another popular food spot among youths and adults alike. This affordable eatery is located at Marina Square, which is just an overhead bridge away from Suntec City Mall. It is a race against time after service to queue for seats at Saizeriya. Yes, it is that popular.
Its menu is filled with crowd-pleasers. Some of the more popular menu items include the Carbonara ($5.90), the Bolognese pasta ($3.90), the Pineapple & Bacon Pizza ($6.90) and the five-piece Chicken Wings ($4.90). Saizeriya is also known for its self-service free-flow drinks bar: $2.90 for all the soft drinks you can down.
Just writing this makes me think that I should make my way to Saizeriya for lunch.
ENCIK TAN @ MARINA SQUARE
Raffles Boulevard, #02-275
Opening hours: Daily 8.30am-8.30pm
Photo from Enciktan.com.sg
Encik Tan is a small but affordable food court in Marina Square selling local favourites such chicken cutlet curry rice, ban mian (handmade noodles), economic rice, laksa, and claypot rice.
It is located in a less frequented corner of Marina Square Mall, and is therefore less crowded during peak hours, making it a hidden gem. It is a must-go-to when cravings strike for yummy local food!
ROLLING RICE @ MARINA SQUARE
6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-105A
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs: 11.30am-8.30pm; Fri-Sat: 11.30am-9pm
Photo from Rolling Rice’s Instagram
Rolling Rice is a Korean restaurant in Marina Square, featuring—you guessed it—gimbap.
It’s a humble meal, but their rice rolls are packed with delicious Korean ingredients, such as bulgogi (marinated stir-fried beef), kimchi (fermented veggies), and even raw salmon.
This simple but filling meal goes for a reasonable $6.90, but during Happy Hour (3-5pm from Mon to Thurs), it costs only $5.90!
Aside from the usual rice rolls, Rolling Rice also sells the typical variety of Korean delicacies, such as bibimbap (rice with various ingredients, choices of vegetarian, chicken, beef, pork or tofu), bulgogi with choice of rice or noodles, even spicy octopus on a hotplate!
These dishes are higher priced than the gimbap, averaging around $12.90,
Queues may grow after this list of food recommendations comes out, but I hope it helps you and your cell group to have more choices when it comes to deciding what to eat. Happy fellowshipping!
