Craving for a good sando or two? Sandos, or loaded sandwiches, have been all the rage these days. An assortment of fillings from the likes of old-school tamago and pork katsu to the newer-age roasted portobello and fried chicken thigh is sandwiched in between thick slices of ciabatta, sourdough, brioche, or milk bread — it’s a classic combination that hits the spot. Every single time.
Although the term “sando” is Japanese, the sandwiches you can find on our shores take inspiration from all around the globe, showcasing flavours both familiar and unconventional. There is something for everyone, and that is exactly why sandos deserve all the recognition and hype they can get.
From small speciality sandwich bars to well-known cafes and restaurants, here are the 16 best places in Singapore to get your sando fix.
1. Gyu San
If the mere mention of the word “wagyu” makes you salivate, a visit to Gyu San, an all-in-one butchery and sando shop in Tanjong Pagar, is a must. The shop’s signature wagyu katsu sandos are all made with a richly marbled A5 wagyu highly sought after for its full-bodied flavour and distinguishing texture.
Head straight for the A5 Striploin Katsu Sando (S$48), an unbelievably beefy, tender and practically melt-in-your-mouth cut, but be sure not to sleep on the Ebi Katsu Sando (S$28), which features juicy minced shrimp patty prepared using fresh Australian crustacean, breaded and deep-fried to a gorgeous golden hue.
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???? 7 Wallich Street, #01-03, Guoco Tower, Singapore 078884
???? 11.30am–9pm (Daily)
2. Hello Arigato
Hello Arigato is perhaps the cafe concept best known for its sandos, alongside a diverse selection of Japanese-inspired comfort food in two locations: Upper Thomson and Joo Chiat.
You won’t go wrong with the Gyu Sando (S$26), a classic combination of medium rare Angus beef striploin and caramelised sweet onion jam, or the quintessential Tamago Sando (S$14) on fluffy Japanese milk bread.
There are also outlet-exclusive sandos worth travelling for, like the locally-inspired HCG Sando (S$16), , which features 48-hour marinated shrimp paste har cheong gai chicken (Joo Chiat), and the Otah Sando (S$20), a spicy (and very shiok) combination of breaded Muar otah, kaffir lime sambal, and coconut mayo (Upper Thomson).
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???? 227 Upper Thomson Road Singapore 574359
???? 11am–4pm, 6pm–9pm (Tue to Fri), 10am–4pm, 6pm–9pm (Sat & Sun), Closed on Mon
???? 314 Joo Chiat Road Singapore 427565
???? 10am–4pm, 6pm–9pm (Wed to Fri), 9am–4pm, 6pm–9pm (Sat & Sun), Closed on Mon & Tue
3. Stack
Run by the team behind popular F&B concepts like Tipo Pasta Bar and Tipo Gnocchi, Stack is a Muslim-owned cafe dishing up decadent desserts, loaded sandwiches, and flavoured waffles.
The artisanal sandos are the stars of the show, with highlights like the Spam And Egg And Egg (S$12), that is filled with egg salad, spam, and a gloriously runny boiled egg, as well as the Pollo Avo Club (S$13), a smoked chicken and avocado number with house-made spicy aioli and sumac onions.
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???? 155 Waterloo St, Stamford Arts Centre, #01-07, Singapore 187962
???? 10am–6.30pm (Daily)
4. Café Natsu
Cafe-hopping in the Joo Chiat-Katong neighbourhood? Don’t forget to drop by Café Natsu, an East-meets-West cafe concept offering Western brunch classics with a Japanese flair.
Although the extensive all-day dining menu has much to offer, you should definitely try at least one of the two sandos on the menu, the Egg Mayo (S$18), or the Wagyu (S$26), which boasts juicy and tender wagyu beef with shishito ketchup, slaw, and yuzu kosho. Both also come with crispy togarashi fries.
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???? 283 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427537
???? 8.30am–5.30pm (Tue to Sun)
5. 46 Mittsu
Pop by the hip Everton Park enclave for a taste of the ciabatta sandwiches by 46 Mittsu, one of the OG players of the loaded sandwich game.
Both the signature BEC (S$14), which stands for bacon, egg, and cheese, and the Korean-inspired Firebird (S$15), a big and bold flavour explosion of gochujang fried chicken, purple slaw, and a sunny side up, are well worth the long queues.
The Catfish (S$18), consisting of marinated raw tuna, fried wanton skin, and a spicy papaya salad, is your best bet for something a little more unconventional.
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???? 2 Everton Park, #01-61, Singapore 081002
???? 8am–5pm (Daily), while stocks last
6. MoMiJi Cafe
Although we may finally be able to visit the cultural capital of Japan very soon (fingers crossed), MoMiJi Cafe is here to give you a taste of Kyoto in Singapore minus the long wait.
Given that Kyoto is the Japanese prefecture with the largest consumption of bread in the country, it’s certainly fitting that this cafe focuses on sandwiches, offering a wide range of french toast and homely Japanese sandos with fillings like Pork Katsu ($12.80++) and Ebi Katsu (S$12.80++).
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???? 9 King Albert Park, KAPMall, #01-37, Singapore 598292
???? 10am – 6pm (Daily)
7. Breakfast Grill
Previously starting out as a humble online store, Breakfast Grill is now home to some of the most comforting and indulgent sandos, or sammies, as they call them, in Singapore.
Order the French-inspired Croque (S$13), which showcases honey-glazed ham, mozzarella, red cheddar, baked organic portobello, and house-made mustard seed mayonnaise, or the Hot Chick (S$16), consisting of five spices deep-fried chicken thigh, scrambled eggs, cheesy jalapeno Cheetos, and garlic aioli.
Non-meat eaters can take a trip to flavourtown with the Magic Mushroom (S$14.50) — baked organic portobello with mozzarella, creamed spinach and crunchy enoki strings.
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???? 380 East Coast Road, Singapore 428986
???? 8am–4pm (Daily)
8. Samwitch
Samwitch is the place for loaded sandwiches that are both hearty and healthy at pocket-friendly prices. The Beef Sando Set (S$12.90, S$12 for a la carte), which includes a side of coleslaw and a choice of drink, is a must-order. How could one resist tantalising house-cured beef with pickles, BBQ sauce, and torched cheese?
Alternatively, an even healthier option would be the Fish Sando Set (S$11.90, S$11 for a la carte), which features white fish, fresh vegetables, salad cheese, and torched cheese.
Do note that this tiny breakfast kiosk in Hougang has very limited space for dine-in, so it is best to pre-order your sandwiches for self-collection here.
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???? 806 Hougang Central, #01-152, Singapore 530806
???? 9am–8pm (Daily)
9. Monday Coffee Bar
Monday Coffee Bar is the perfect spot for a little retreat from the hustle and bustle of life. This cosy Japanese-inspired cafe and speciality coffeehouse tucked away in Ang Mo Kio has an array of simple, no-frills sandos that are best paired with a cuppa or two.
The signature Chicken Katsu (S$7.50) comes with an intriguing maple nut sauce, while the Luncheon Tamagoyaki (S$6.50), with its nostalgic combination of luncheon meat, tamagoyaki, mayo, and ketchup, may rekindle memories of childhood.
There is even a dessert sando in the form of the Miso Sweet Potato (S$5.50), which is filled with roasted honey sweet potatoes and miso butter.
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???? 421 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 Singapore, Singapore 560421
???? 8.30am–6.30pm (Mon to Fri), 9.30am–6pm (Sat & Sun)
10. Mio
A slice of serenity awaits at Mio, a zen-inspired restaurant serving refined Japanese cuisine that celebrates precision and finesse.
Although you can find beautifully plated works of art like sushi, sashimi, and even bao (a nod to their sister brand, the now-defunct Bao Makers), the Gyu Sando (S$26) and off-menu Truffle Tamago Sando are definite standouts.
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???? 82 Neil Road, Singapore 088843
???? 12pm–3pm, 6pm–9.30pm (Tue to Thu), 12pm–3pm, 6pm–10.30pm (Fri & Sat), 12pm–4pm (Sun), Closed on Mon
11. Grids Coffee & Bar
Artistic coffeehouse by day, and cocktail and tapas bar by night, Grids Coffee & Bar is a unique dining concept in Chinatown offering a Japanese-inspired menu, which includes an impressive selection of sandos (available from 9am to 4pm).
The aptly named Pigasso (S$16), which contains pork katsu, karashi rancher, namsui pear, shibazuke, torched parmesan, and greens, is a popular option. Otherwise, order the Sitting Duck (S$16), which comprises unique aburi smoked duck, jalapeno pesto, scallions, roasted tomatoes, and greens.
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???? 200 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058749 (Chinatown Downtown Line Exit F)
???? 9am–12am (Wed to Sat), 9am–6pm (Sun to Mon)
12. Musette
In need of a new hangout spot to unwind after a long ride? Make a pit stop at Musette, a bicycle-friendly cafe and bistro offering fusion Western brunch classics in Redhill.
Although sandos are not a speciality, both the Ebi Katsu Sando (S$20) and Breakfast Sando (S$19) will leave you feeling all hale and hearty. The latter, encompassing smoked bacon, scrambled egg, cheddar cheese, and chipotle sauce, is the perfect breakfast for fueling up before a long day.
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???? 2 Leng Kee Rd, #01-05 Thye Hong Centre, Singapore 159086
???? 8am–5.30pm (Tue to Sun), Closed on Mon
13. Naga House
The vibey Naga House is a Japanese-inspired cafe and bar along Boat Quay that combines the owners’ love for food, fashion, and music. There are four sandos (served with a side of cassava chips) to choose from — you won’t go wrong with the House-Fried Chicken (S$14) and Triple Tamago (S$12). The latter makes for an especially indulgent treat, with its roasted garlic egg mayo, ramen egg, omelette, roasted garlic butter, dijon mayo, and furikake.
Drop by on weekdays for their value-for-money lunch sets— you can get both the aforementioned sandos for just S$10.
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???? 14 Lor Telok, Singapore 049027
???? 10am–12am (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun
14. Korio
The crowds go crazy for the loaded sammies and donuts from Korio, and for good reason. This Telok Ayer deli is a frontrunner in the local sandwich scene, but be prepared to visit early (they can sell out as early as 12pm)!
First-timers ought to go for the cult favourite Breakfast Sammy (S$13), which oozes with creamy sauce gribiche (French egg salad), crispy spam, and American cheese. Another popular sando, the Bobby Smalls (S$12), boasts crispy luncheon, cheddar, arugula, hot mayo, and a fried egg sandwiched between a potato bun.
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???? 135 Amoy Street, #01-03, Singapore 049964
???? 10am–1pm (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun
15. Pipes by Hattendo
When it comes to speciality coffee, Japanese fusion sandos, and delicious cream buns, Pipes by Hattendo is a go-to for many. Mentaiko fanatics must order the Dashimaki Mentai Tamago ($14), a tamagoyaki and mentaiko sauce number, while the Lemongrass Chicken (S$14) is packed with juicy Thai-marinated grilled chicken thigh and cabbage.
If you’re spoilt for choice, the Nitamago Potato Salad Sando (S$14) houses perfectly gooey yolks and some of the creamiest (and dreamiest) egg salad you’ll ever eat. All sandos are also prepared using nama syokupan (a richer version of Japanese shokupan, or milk bread) — soft and fluffy goodness.
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???? 331 New Bridge Road, Dorsett Residences #01-02, Singapore 088764
???? 9am–6pm (Tue to Sun), Closed on Mon
16. Sando
How does one write a sando listicle without featuring the namesake Sando? Although rather ulu, location-wise, this speciality joint in Alexandra aims to celebrate the playful craft and mastery behind the seemingly simple and humble Japanese sandwich.
The Gooralie Tonkatsu (S$15) is a staple comprising of free-range Gooralie pork loin, duck fat confit, and kombu mayo, but you shouldn’t miss out on the Beef Menchi Katsu (S$14.50), which features a whole cheddar stuffed minced beef patty, as well as the vegetarian-friendly Kabocha (S$14.50), a pumpkin fritter and halloumi cheese combi.
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???? 438C Alexandra Rd, Alexandra Technopark #01-04/04A The Hub, Singapore 119976
???? 9am–2.30pm (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun
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