6 Cheap Food Places in Orchard Road

Ah, Orchard Road. Singapore’s glitzy and glamourous retail heaven, Orchard Road’s practically second home to shopaholics around Singapore. Even if you’re not a fan of retail therapy yourself, there were probably some days when you went all out busted your wallet while you were at it. After all that though, you might want to learn how to save money on eating when your wallets already taken a beating. Here’s a tip on how to save money: check out these 6 makan places where you can get a budget bite right at Orchard Road

Ayam Penyet Ria

Image Credits: http://www.hungrygowhere.com

While Lucky Plaza may have garnered a reputation for being Singapore’s Little Philippines, right in its centre you would be able to find a slice of Indonesia. The fragrant smell drawing you in, Ayam Penyet Ria serves some of the most authentic ayam penyet and Indonesian food you can get in Singapore, all for less than $10! We recommend trying out their signature dish, which is of course ayam penyet. The fried chicken and rice is simple, but exquisite, and the topping of strong sambal adds just the kick you need. Who said learning how to save money had to drab and boring? Those people definitely haven’t checked out the spice at Ayam Penyet Ria

Address: Lucky Plaza, #04-25/26, Singapore 238863

Kim Dae Mun

Image Credits: http:// www.burpple.com

Korean food in Singapore is relatively easy to find, but really good Korean food is hard. Really good Korean food that doesn’t break the bank is even harder. Trust us, we’ve tried. Kim Dae Mun, just ticks all those boxes, and has earned itself a place in the hearts of Korean food lovers all across Singapore. The best part is, none of the dishes they sell are over $10! Take about getting a taste of Korean that’s really value for money! That’s definitely one way you can put our “how to save you money” tips to the best use possible.

Address: 100 Orchard Road, Concorde Hotel and Shopping Centre, #02-17/18 Singapore 238840

Hainanese Delicacy

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Chicken rice is the perfect comfort food you need after a long day of walking and spending, but it can be hard to find good, cheap chicken rice in Orchard Road. Fret not, come down to Far East Plaza and check out Hainanese Delicacy! Frequented by everyone from students to office workers, Hainanese Delicacy proves that chicken rice is universally loved by everyone, with the never ending streams of people who go in and out of the store. You can smell the scent of chicken rice wafting down even at the floors below, so follow your instincts and make your stomach ( and wallet ) happy! With cheap chicken rice, you’ll never have to worry about how to save money.

Address: Far East Plaza, #05-116, 14 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228213

Orchard Yong Tau Fu

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“What’s a cheap yong tau foo place doing in town?” Well it might seem a bit out-of-place in the modern and glossy environment of Orchard Road, but hey, no one’s complaining. If anything, you could share with friends a tip on how to save money, but telling them about Orchard Yong Tau Fu! They offer a good variety of your favourite Yong Tau Foo ingredients, with a minimum of 7 items going for $4.20. If that isn’t a deal when you’re in town, I don’t know what is. Plus, Yong Tau Foo is healthy, so all the better for you to keep on shopping!

Address: #01-09, Cuppage Plaza, 5 Koek Road

The Flyin’ Bread

Image Credits: http://www.fuchsia.com.sg

Want to know how to save money and want get a taste of some healthy and fresh Indian food? Come down to the 313 Somerset basement and check out The Flying Bread! The Flying Bread is a kiosk selling wraps and various dishes with an Indian flavour, using ingredients like tandoori chicken and yoghurt based sauces! This is a must visit if you’re on the go but you still want a filling meal, because these wraps certainly pack a punch in taste and size.

Address: #B3-43, 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road

JTown Cafe

Image Credits: http://my-daily-thingz.blogspot.sg

Craving for Indonesian Food while you are shopping in Orchard Road? Located at the basement in Midpoint Orchard (Opposite 313 Somerset), you will see JTown Cafe at the end in a dimly light setting. A glance at the menu will spot a range of different kind of Bakmi. (Meat Noodle) A personal favourite of mine is the Bakmi Ayam (Chicken Bakmi) where you mix sweet soy and chilli sauce with their handmade wheat noodle.

Address: 220 Orchard road, B1 Midpoint Orchard (Across 313 Somerset)

So there you have it, some tips on how to save money while still filling your stomach with delicious food at Orchard road. Next time you need to take a break and grab some food, head on over to these fantastic finds!

Want to pay less to watch a movie? Here’s how to get cheap movie tickets.

Watching a movie has been a favourite pastime of Singaporeans. In fact, it tops the list in a survey conducted by MasterCard where 75% of respondents has watched a movie at least twice in a month.

I would be surprised if you have not watched Ah Boy To Men or Ah Boy To Men 2. Their combined box office well grossed over S$16M and with ticket price creeping to an average of $10, that also means at least one in four Singaporeans would have watched the production by Jack Neo. Gone were the days where you can watch a movie at $4 a ticket.

If you are a movie fanatic like I am, you would have known that it would be the cheapest to get your movie fix on a weekday. Armed with your PAssion card, MasterCard or UOB Card, you would walk into a cinema to buy a ticket with confidence that you got a good deal.

But the question is: Can you get any better?

For the benefits of the like-minded people as well as those who only step into a cinema once or twice a year, I have compiled a comprehensive list of the four main cinemas in Singapore, comparing from movie ticket price on weekdays to weekend, prices across cinema and the best promotional priced ticket you can get with different membership card. Stop paying a premium to catch your favourite movie. Get your cheap movie tickets with your privilege card.

The ones highlighted in red are the best promotional priced ticket for that cinema while the one shaded in yellow are the best priced across all cinemas. For the majority of cinemagoers, we exclude student, children and senior citizens.

If you plan to watch a movie on:

Weekday (Mon-Thurs, excluding PH, eve of PH):

Cathay: If you own a DBS Black Card, pay using payWave and get another ticket for free. Valid till 31 Dec 14.

GV: If you own a HSBC Card, you can purchase the HSBC Movie Card and load it with $70 which entitles you to 10 movie credits. That equates to $7 a ticket.

Shaw: BOC World MasterCard matches DBS Black Card should you want to watch in Shaw rather than Cathay. Please note that it is only available to the first 400 redemptions in a month.

Filmgarde: No special promotion for standard ticket unless you are a student or senior citizen.

Friday & Eve of PH

Cathay: DBS Black Visa Card is the way to go. Make use of the promotion before it ends on 31 Dec 14.

GV: If you pay using a VISA card, you get 4 movie tickets at the price of 3. This works out to be the cheapest if you watch a movie before 6pm. Otherwise a HSBC Movie Card loaded with $85 will do the trick. As you get 10 movie credits, each movie only costs $8.50 per person.

Shaw: Similar to weekdays, a BOC World MasterCard entitles you to a 1 for 1 movie ticket promotion.

Filmgarde: Standard pricing unless you are a student or senior citizen.

Sat, Sun and PH

Weekends and PH are the peak period and expect the price to increase.

Cathay: If you don’t own a DBS Black Card, but your service provider is M1, you also get a 1 for 1 movie treat! Valid for the first 400 customers.

GV: HSBC Movie Card is the best on weekends and public holidays if you watch in a group of 4.

Shaw: Likewise, a BOC World MasterCard entitles you to a 1 for 1 movie ticket promotion.

Filmgarde: Standard pricing.

*Please note that the prices for movie tickets are subjected to change without notice.

6 Places in Singapore Tourists Should Avoid

Singapore is an attractive travel destination with a record of 15.6million tourists in 2013.

Known worldwide for its safe, clean and green environment coupled with world class transport and its multi ethnic cuisines, it is no surprise to see Singapore taking the top spot of the Lonely Planet Best Place to Travel in 2015.

Singaporeans are also unbelievably helpful – just approach one when you are lost and you will see them pointing to the map or even bring you to the destination.

Need a dining recommendation? Just ask. They will go the extra mile to help you rather than rip you off.

However, in a city of 5.4million inhabitants, you’ll always find a few black sheeps with a different intention. Not to scare you off, but in comparison to other countries, there are not as many tourist traps out there. We are going to name you 6 places in Singapore tourist should keep at bay and keep your dream trip in place.

1. Sim Lim Square

Sim Lim Square is a large retail complex that sells electronic goods. There is six level of 500 retailers selling goods such as computers, electronic peripherals, mobile phones, games and cameras.

If you are not aware of the recent spate of tourist scams, you better think twice before stepping your foot here. Of course, not all the shops there are dishonest but as a tourists – you know nothing better and are at the mercy of these vendors that employed dirty and errant sales tactics.

You are promised a cheap price for the phone and only when you sign on that piece of paper and paid the money, you are asked to cough out more money to unlock the phone or to pay for the warranty which costs as much as the phone.

2. People Park Complex

While Sim Lim Square is getting all the limelight and attention, another retail complex known as People Park Complex has been reported to have more complaints.

Likewise, these errant vendors uses the same tactics to make a one-off sale as tourists are the best target because they never return.

3. Lucky Plaza

Lucky Plaza is situated along Orchard where you can shop till you drop but it makes it to the third of the places to avoid list. It seems that electronics products are the easiest products to exploit due to its larger price tag and the need for warranty.

4. Newton Circus Food Centre

If you think that tourists are only ripped off by electronics products, you would be surprised that a food centre made it to the list as a ‘no-go’ due to the rampant touting and overcharging by the vendors.

Newton Circus is a food centre where you get to sample a plethora of cuisines from BBQ seafood to satays (skewer meats) and it was all good until there were too many stalls selling the same kind of food and drinks. This led to stiff competition and incessant touting by stall owners where they are often criticised for overpricing their food and compromising food quality.

In 2009, six American tourists were charged S$491 for their meal, out of which almost half of the cost is due to the 8 tiger prawns they ordered costing $239.

Avoid that place unless you have deep pocket for mediocre quality food.

5. Boat Quay

Along Singapore River, you will find Boat Quay situated right in the CBD where you can catch picturesque view of the river surrounding two and three-storey shophouses. It’s romantic to walk down the quay and at the end you will find the iconic Merlion statue, a national personification of Singapore.

Of course, don’t miss out these attractions when you are in Singapore but when you are famished, take your meals elsewhere. Don’t get tempted by the humongous Alaskan Snow Crab and other crustaceans on display outside the restaurants. They are overpriced and high chance that you will be ripped off from its ‘priceless’ [sic] menu.

6. Geylang

Geylang is the red light district of Singapore and while prostitution is legal in Singapore you don’t want to walk here with your kids at night.

If you bringing your family for a holiday, consider bringing them to Little India or Chinatown where you can still immerse yourself and experience the cultural heritage of Singapore.

So where should we go?

Consider going to well established stores in Funan IT Mall or Challenger to shop for your electronic goods. Remember to claim your tax refund during your departure at Changi Airport.

If you want to indulge in seafood and order your favourite chilli crab, go to the few places where the local would go – Jumbo Seafood, No Signboard, Longbeach and Mellben.

For tourists who want to sample the different ethnic cuisines, head over to Makansutra Gluttons Bay or Chinatown Food Centre.

Don’t fall prey to the above tourists trap, do your research and make sure you find out the real cost to it before committing.

The Real Cost of Owning A Pet

At times visitors who come to my house will often ask me: “That’s a cute poodle, how much did you paid for it?”

I would reply “I adopted it.” and almost certainly i would get a standard response: “You mean you got that puppy for free? I’m so envious. I want one myself too!”

Think twice.

Many people who walks into a pet shop will first walk into the pets area and peek into those glass windows to admire the dogs, rodents and fishes. These animals are so cute that everyone would wish to own one as a pet. The thing is they often don’t know the true financial cost of owning a pet and underestimate the overall expenses – not to mention the emotional cost when your pet is sick or when its time is up.

To help you work out the cost of owning these companion animals, let us take a look at the real cost of owning them.

1. Dogs & Pups

Lifespan: 10-17 years

One time costs:

Purchase price: $1.5K-$4K (Depending on the size and breed)

Spaying/Neutering: $300-$500

Leash/Collar/Cage & other accessories:$100-300

Disposing: $300-$500

Recurring cost (Yearly):

Food: $300-$500

Treats: $100-$200

Grooming: $200-$300

Shampoo: $30-50

Vet: $200-$800

Toys: $100-$200

Total costs: Approximately $20-30K

2. Cats and kittens

Lifespan: 15-20 years

One time costs:

Purchase price: $300-$1K (Depending on the size and breed)

Spaying/Neutering: $80-$150

Cage/Carrier & Other Accessories:$100-$300

Disposing: $200-$300

Recurring cost (Yearly):

Food: $300-$400

Kitty litter: $400-$500

Treats: $200-$300

Vet: $100-$200

Total costs: Approximately $15-25K

3. Rodents & Lagomorphs (Hamsters, Chinchillas, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs,

Rabbits)

Lifespan: 2-10years

One time costs:

Purchase price: $25-$500 (Depending on the type and breed)

Spaying/Neutering: $70-$150

Cage, Waterbottle & Other Accessories: $100

Disposing: $100-$200

Recurring cost (Yearly):

Food: $50-100

Bedding: $50-$100

Vet: $40-$200

Total costs: Approximately $600-$2.5K

4. Aquatic Animals (Fishes, Terrapins, Tortoise)

Lifespan: 2-50years

One time costs:
Purchase price: $5-$50
Glass tank, rocks, air pump, lights, etc : $8-$300

Recurring cost (Yearly):
Food: $20-30
Filter: $50-$500
Vet: $50
Dechlorine solution: $10-$30

Total costs: Largely varies, depending on what type and species you are getting

A final word to anyone who is getting a pet after this: Don’t buy a pet on impulse. Make sure you have the time to look after it and do not abandon your pets!

10 value for money restaurants in Singapore

With rising costs in Singapore, house, car, transport costs has climbed faster than your wage increment. Even basic necessity like food is not spared. Where can you get a bowl of noodle for 50 cents or a packet of chicken rice for a dollar nowadays?

No, I’m not going to tell you which Kopitiam to find those cheap eats. Because there isn’t –
Perhaps you can still get them from the Primary School’s canteen.

We are talking about restaurants in Singapore that offers the most value food without hurting your wallet. What’s worse is when you are being slapped with GST and service charge. I know how you feel when you thought you have spent $20+ for your food and you get billed for $30.

Don’t you want to spend more and still want to enjoy dining in a restaurant?

To get your moola worth of dining experience, let’s take a look at some of the restaurants below which offers the most value meals. By most value, we mean you get the most bang for your buck without compromising quality and quantity. Restaurants that offers cheap eats but at small portion don’t meet our selection criteria.

1. Saizeriya Ristorante E Caffe

Where can you get your pasta fix for $5.90 in a restaurant nowadays? Saizeriya offers a wide ranging Italian foods from pasta to pizza at affordable price. There are also hotplates offering pork, chicken and beef steak coupled with potato wedges, corns and sunny side egg with the lowest priced at $5.90. No, it is not a typo and i have not forgotten to add a ‘1’ – it’s $5.90 and not $15.90.

Wait, so a 2 person meal will cost $20+ after GST and service charge? You’ll be surprised that you end up paying less than $20 as there is no GST and service charge.

Estimated cost for 2 Pax: $15

2. Nakajima Suisan Grilled Fish

(Photo Credit: duhville.com)

If you have not heard of this place, i’m not surprised. Hidden in a corner of Takashimaya’s foodcourt at the basement, you will usually witness a queue outside Nakaijima Suisan during peak hours. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary Japanese food store selling grilled fishes that is placed alongside stores that sell Katsu, Udon and Ramen.

When you browse the menu, you will see a wide variety of grilled fishes set and they are reasonably priced.

Try their signature Gindara (Cod) Teriyaki and you’ll be taken back by the freshness and sweetness of the fish. The succulent white meat melts in your mouth and makes you eat smaller portion so that you can extend your enjoyment to the fullest.

They have other grilled dishes such as Saba, Salmon, Meiro, Sawara and Squid grilled nicely with different sauces such as Mirin, Teriyaki and Saikyo where diners are spoilt for choices.

The set comes with miso soup, tofu with bonito flakes, appetiser and salad.

It costs around $8.50 for a grilled saba lunch set and $11.50 for a grilled salmon set.

They only charge you a 7% GST excluding the 10% service charge which makes it an affordable dinner or lunch fix in the town area.

Estimated cost for 2 pax: ~$25-30

3. Swee Choon Tim Sum

(Photo Credit: lifebesiderunning.blogspot.com)

Swee Choon has been around for 50 years and they serve different kind of Hong Kong and Shanghai Dim Sum. You will definitely see items such as your usual Siew Mai, Har Gow, Char Siew Pau on the menu.

Don’t miss out the salted egg yolk custard bun! The custard ozzes out on your first bite so make sure you savour every drops of it!

Their standard item are priced around $2-$3 and they also serve cooked items such as Horfan, Fried Rice and other Zi Char food.

This place is good for late night supper as they close around 2am.

They don’t charge you 10% service charge so you’ll save on that.

Estimated cost for 2 pax: $20

4. Little Vietnam Restaurant & Cafe

(Photo Credit: Burpple.com)

This is one of the popular casual Vietnamese restaurants in Singapore. You can find authentic Vietnamese food such as your Pho and Vietnamese Rice Roll at affordable price.

It costs around $6-7 for a bowl of Beef Pho.

You can also try their Com Tan (Broken Rice with Grilled Lemon Grass Pork Chop with a sunny side up) which is a favourite of mine.

There is no GST or service charge so expect to pay less than $20 for 2 pax.

5. Kim Dae Mun

(Photo Credit: phyllistan.blogspot.com)

If you are in town and crave Korean food, drop by Kim Dae Mun which is located at Concorde Hotel level 2.

Their highly raved Spicy Chicken set cost $6.50 and you have the option to choose brown rice to go with it. The set also comes with two sides where you can choose kimchi, cucumber slice or anchovies.

Pair it with a bowl of kimchi soup and you will walk out of the place feeling hearty and satisfied.

Estimated cost for 2 pax: $13-$15

6. The Wicked Garlic

(Photo Credit: Burpple.com)

Craving for Italian food but on a budget? Look no further to The Wicked Garlic. You can get your usual Italian fares like pasta, pizza and risotto but what stands out is the price. Most of their pizza and pasta are priced below $10 and the portion and quality are not compromised.

Your Margherita and Hawaiian pizza cost $8.70 for a 10′ and did i mentioned their pizza are hand-made?

For pasta lovers, you can consider their Aglio Olio at $4.70 – top that off with 5 huge gigantic prawns for an additional $6.00. I will take that.

7. Standing Sushi Bar (8 Queen Street)

(Photo Credit: aspoonfulofsoul.blogspot.com)

You are missing out the good stuff if you have not heard of Standing Sushi Bar.

What? Do i have to stand and consume my food? Is it cheap?

No, you don’t have to “stand” as there are seats around for you to enjoy your food.

If you are having Monday blues, make a trip to Standing Sushi Bar located at 8 Queen Street for their promotional $3 salmon sashimi. It’s not 1 slice but 5 think slices! They have a similar promotion on Thursday night.

End off by washing down the goodness lingering in your mouth with a $2 sake or $5 Asahi Beer and Umeshu.

8. Aston’s

(Photo Credit: Foodstreetdirectory.com)

This place don’t need any introduction. Aston has been around since 2005 and open its first shop in a coffeeshop before moving into a flagship store and expanding to 27 stores as at November 2014.

Aston served quality Western fares such as your fish & chips and steaks, with your own choice of hot and cold sides ranging from fries, onion rings, salad, baked beans, potato wedges and even tasty rice.

It’s simply great food at great price.

It costs less than $10 for most of their mains. If you want to slightly indulge and go for a steak, it’s not too bad for a Prime Ribeye Steak at $16.90.

9. Taste of Thailand

(Photo Credit: joonelovesfood.blogspot.com)

Taste of Thailand was formerly located at Sembawang Shopping Centre before moving to Yishun’s industrial canteen.

Not too much of an authentic Thai cuisine but rather cheap and affordable Zi Char dishes. There are still Tom Yum soup and Pineapple Fried Rice for those who insists on a Thai fares.

Be warned though – come early on a weekend evening or you will be joining the long queue to watch other diners enjoy the value for money eats.

Their deep fried calamari is chewy and tasty – goes well with the red and green chilli sauce they specially made themselves.

Don’t leave this place without trying their signature Deep Fried Fish. Drench it with the sauce that comes with it and you will go thumbs up!

It ends up costing about $40 for a family of five, which works out to be less than $10 a person, pretty value-for-money i would say.

10. Nakhon Kitchen

(Photo Credit: Yelp.com.sg)

Next on the list, Nakhon Kitchen is another Thai restaurant with wallet friendly price tag.

You might think it is cheap because the quality is compromised or the serving size is small but you are wrong.

The long queue on a Saturday lunch hour is a testament of how popular they are.

If you are a fan of Pad Thai, it costs $5 for a yummy plate of rice noodles top with prawns, squids and tofu.

Try their green curry chicken for $8 and Tom Yum soup for $6 and you will understand why this place make it into the list.