Eat

A FOODIE'S PARADISE

Whether you want to feast with the family or grab some light bites, these new dining options at basement one and level one are guaranteed to satisfy any craving.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Ah Chiang Porridge #B1-40

This local eatery has been around since 1971 serving comforting bowls of porridge, and it is no wonder that it is a household name for many living in the Tiong Bahru area. Ah Chiang uses traditional Cantonese methods to cook its signature dish, and every bowl is guaranteed to taste delicious. Only the freshest of ingredients are used together with a secret concoction of soya sauce to infuse the rice grains for that delicate, satisfying flavour. 

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Kenny Rogers Roasters #B1-37/38

Nobody has perfected the classic American-style rotisserie chicken like Kenny Rogers. After the original branch closed earlier in the year, this new restaurant now boasts a fast-casual and halal concept (pending certification). All ingredients are sourced from halal suppliers while the well-loved recipes remain unchanged. The best news? Menu prices are now about 30 per cent lower than before so you can now get the signature quarter rotisserie chicken at $13.90. There are also healthier choice dishes like Nasi Lemak, featuring rice cooked with healthy virgin coconut oil and the OMG (Outrageous Mouthwatering Guilt-Free) Unfried Fried Chicken, in which the chicken is fried without oil but tastes just as scrumptious. 

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CHICHA San Chen #01-17

Originating from Taiwan, CHICHA San Chen was founded in 1998 with a mission to make high-quality freshly brewed teas accessible to discerning tea drinkers. Built on a sense of mindfulness with every sip, CHICHA San Chen is handcrafted by Taiwanese tea masters with over 20 years of experience, and has its own tea mountain, professional tea tasters and tea roasters. It holds the prestigious Highest International Authority iTi certification for quality, and utilises an exclusive patented product technology that allows for more than 1,000 custom settings in a multi-temperature controlled brewing technique to bring out the tea’s best flavour and its natural scent. Recommended drinks include Bubble Milk Tea, Dong Ding Oolong Fresh Milk Tea, and Fresh Milk with Brown Sugar Bubble. 

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Crave #B1-K3

Crave is a food establishment that houses the famous Selera Rasa’s nasi lemak, and teh tarik from Rafee’s Corner. Just how famous is the nasi lemak? Well, the Sultan of Brunei reportedly requests it for breakfast each time he visits Singapore, and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong served it to Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Istana when the latter visited some years ago. Choose to have it with chicken wing, cutlet, fish or beef rendang with some otah on the side. At under $10 each, every dish is a comforting combination that pays tribute to Singapore’s rich food and beverage heritage. 

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R&B Tea #B1-15

R&B Tea is a tea concept that aims to redefine the tea experience today. With fresh fruits and all-natural components, there are more than 30 tea-base concoctions ranging from fruit-loaded brew, macchiato tea capped with oolong tea infused milk foam or cheese cream to its signature Brown Sugar Boba series. R&B Tea places great emphasis on the origins of the tea leaves and dedicate preparation to ensure the perfect tea blend. 

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Monga #B1-K10

Fried chicken lovers should make a beeline for this place. The creation of Taiwanese comedian Nono and “king of fried chicken” Liu Mingdao, Mongo offers extra-thick fried chicken fillets that are said to remain firm yet juicy after frying. There are three flavours, including the King in original salt and pepper seasoning ($6.90). You can also try other munchies such as fried chicken skin, sweet potato fries, fried broccoli and nuggets. 

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Yu Kee Specialities #B1-K13

Yu Kee duck rice is an old-time favourite among countless people in Singapore because it uses the traditional Teochew method of cooking braised duck, along with an exceptional braised sauce and chilli-making recipes handed down through generations of the founder’s family since the 1960s. What is in this special braised sauce? We only know that it is made from over 10 types of herbs, spices and ingredients, a secret that has won the duck rice brand many accolades and has driven it to expand its chain, making it one of the top duck rice brands here. 

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Boost #B1-K09

Need a quick and easy energy boost? The smoothies and fresh fruit juices at Boost will give you just that, thanks to a variety of power blends and delicious concoctions. For an extra nutrient kick, you can also add a shot of protein, vitamin and energy Boosters to supercharge your body. 

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Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice #B1-08

You don’t need to travel to Bangkok anymore to enjoy this famous Thai-style chicken rice. The popular casual sit-down eatery, which was awarded the Bib Gourmand in the Bangkok Michelin Guide 2018 and 2019, is now open at Jem. It serves up tender chicken slices and perfectly cooked fragrant rice accompanied by a special homemade chilli sauce that packs a tangy punch. But that’s not all – you will also find other flavourful dishes such as Bitter Melon & Pork Rib Soup and Steamed Sea Bass with Chilli, Lime & Garlic to enhance your main dish.