Mention supper and most Singaporeans will think of zichar — it’s in our wok-hei-loving blood. On top of being one of the last shops still open at the heartland kopitiam, its relatively affordable prices and variety of Chinese-style sharing dishes make it a great choice for a family feast.
While most famous zichar joints are located deep in neighbourhoods all across Singapore, this list features 8 famous zichar joints that deliver straight to your doorstep. You’ll never have to travel to the far-flung heartland zichar joints again when you can get it delivered to you by the hour. Lazy supper folk rejoice!
1.Keng Eng Kee Seafood
With a string of awards under its belt, the three-generation strong Keng Eng Kee Seafood is definitely a household name in the zichar scene. On top of emerging No. 1 in Burpple’s Top 100 Hawkers List in 2019, it was also mentioned in the Michelin Plate 2016 – 2018 and patronised by famed names like British celebrity chef James Martin.
Their decadent Coffee Pork Ribs ($18) is a signature dish so popular that it has travelled to Denmark, New York and Spain for gourmet events that landed it a noteworthy mention in the 2016 MICHELIN Guide Singapore. Other drool-worthy mentions are the Moonlight Hor Fun ($7.20, pictured above), smoky wok-fried seafood noodles topped with a “moon-like” raw egg, and Mingzhu Roll (pictured above, $14.40), crispy fried tau pok stuffed with salted egg yolk, prawns, ham and mushrooms.
What seals the deal is that island-wide delivery is only $5 with a minimum order, a fee well worth saving you the commute down.
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2.White Restaurant
Ahh, white beehoon. A soul-satisfying homely zichar staple for gravy lovers, White Restaurant’s signature, The Original White Beehoon ($7.15), is the best comfort food to look forward to after a long day. Tossed with juicy prawns, sotong and vegetables, the thick, eggy gravy coats the beehoon strands, forming a slick mass that would be sure to produce the most satisfying slurp. Mala lovers will have to try their fiery Mala White Beehoon ($9.68) while it pops back on the menu by popular demand.
Featuring set meals catering for 2 to 6 pax as well as Value Bento sets (starting from $11.88) pairing their signature mains with seafood bites, you’ll be able to try a bit of everything — almost as if you were sharing a feast with friends.
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3. Sum Kee Food
A uniquely Singaporean zichar staple, the Curry Fish Head ($33) from Sum Kee Food is not to be missed. The humble family-owned zichar restaurant prides itself on serving up the best curry fish head and salted egg yolk dishes in town.
Their menu also features quirky specials like Ultraman Chicken ($15) — highly addictive popcorn chicken bites coated in buttery salted egg yolk sauce, and Wallet Chicken ($38), a whole crispy battered chicken stuffed with savoury glutinous rice fried with nuts, mushrooms and chinese sausage. Definitely check out Sum Kee’s offerings if you’re feeling up for surprises. They also have bundles and sets ranging from $42.90 for 2 pax to $256.90 for 8 -10 pax for easy ordering.
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4.Orchid Live Seafood
Think of porridge and immediately, a comforting, homely taste comes to mind. Orchid Live Seafood takes a luxurious spin on this simple dish with its Lobster Porridge ($66), adding in big, juicy lobsters to elevate the taste to the next level. The Teochew-style seafood restaurant uses live lobsters from its tanks, preserving its plump freshness even after it soaks in the rich 4 hour-brewed broth. If you like your porridge like a soup with the rice grains still intact, you will absolutely love this sesame-seasoned Teochew-style one.
On top of being Singapore’s first original Lobster Porridge, the restaurant is also well known for its interesting spins on regular dishes, such as Steven Chicken ($14) — chicken pieces meant to resemble pork ribs marinated in a marmite and honey sauce.
If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, indulge in the Set Menu for 2 Pax ($88) which comes with their specials: Lobster Porridge, Steven Chicken, Topshell Seafood Tofu, and a side of Stir Fry Kailan.
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5.Yu Cun Curry Fish Head
Yet another fish head curry specialist, Yu Cun’s Claypot Curry Fish Head ($34.72) is not to be missed. Using quality “Ang Goli” white snapper fish, the tender fish is stewed in a thick, creamy curry sauce that comes in three customisable spice levels. Opt for rice or fried mantous to soak in the robust, delectable gravy. Peranakan food enthusiasts would appreciate their Claypot Nyonya Fish Head ($36.96) for its characteristic sour, tangy taste.
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6. Wok Master
Wok Master prides itself on three things: Salted egg, Crab and Claypot. Zichar regulars would appreciate the more affordable price range that the restaurant offers, with irresistible deals like $48 for 2 crabs (available in Curry, Chili, Black Pepper, Creamy Salted Egg, or Best Seller Crab Beehoon), and $65 for 3. With so many available flavours and finishes, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The salted egg yolk flavour comes highly recommended for being made with real salted egg, aromatically seasoned with curry leaves and a rich, grainy texture.
Their Set Meal for 2 is also affordably priced at $49 for their specialty Curry Fish Head, along with 3 side dishes like Crispy Tofu Chye Poh, French Beans and Egg Fried Rice.
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7. Forture Seafood Restaurant
While seafood seems to take centre stage in most zichar restaurants, Forture Seafood Restaurant balances it out by bringing up the heat in the meat genre too. On top of being popular for their specialty seafood like Chili Crab ($78) and Cereal Prawns ($17.30), they have also made a name for themselves with their irresistibly fragrant bittersweet Coffee Pork Ribs ($17.30) and Pork Belly ($13.30). Expect a heavy dose of coffee sweetened up by the sticky black sauce that will leave you smacking your lips.
8. Famous Kitchen
The aptly-named Famous Kitchen wasn’t boasting when they named themselves that — this popular zichar restaurant was featured in the recent 2019 MICHELIN Guide Singapore. The Nanyang-style restaurant features an extensive range of ingredients in their soups and dishes, with flavours inspired by the founder’s travels around China.
Expect sharks’ fin in their herbal soups, bullfrog, lobsters as well as zichar staples like its signature Traditional Fish Head Curry ($28) and decadent Singapore Chili Crab ($72). A self-proclaimed family style restaurant, the folks at The Famous Kitchen believe in wholesome, nourishing food centered around high quality ingredients.
If you’re in the mood for something fancy, definitely try their atas-sounding Braised Lobster with Rice Vermicelli in Superior Broth ($128 for 800g).
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Never waste another supper calorie on subpar food. With so many famous eateries and restaurants doing deliveries now on Oddle, your options for legit, scrumptious zichar are endless, no matter the wok-ing distance. Feast away!
