Bukit Merah is filled with plenty of hidden gems and there’s a new coffee shop in the neighbourhood that houses some of the best dishes under one roof. It’s a great time to be living or working in Bukit Merah now.
Located around Bukit Merah Central, SG Kopitiam is a newly revamped coffee shop that houses nine well-established stalls, offering an impressive range of F&B options, all under one roof.
Probably the most popular stall in SG Kopitiam is the Michelin-recommended Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang. The store’s most popular dish is its namesake (S$7.50) which features tantalising Indonesian-style spicy chicken paired with fragrant coconut rice. But the real star of the show here is their spicy taliwang sauce from Lombok, Indonesia. This is definitely only for those who have a good spice tolerance.
Also available here is the special Grilled Chicken Ayam Pop Sambal with Indomie (S$8.90). The dish uses Indomie Spicy Red Curry Mi Goreng — if there’s one thing I cannot turn down, it is a plate of Indomie.
The dish also features Ayam Pop Sambal which is a tomato-based chilli infused with red onion. Don’t worry, as daunting as it sounds, the spice level here is much lower than the original Taliwang chilli.
Another crowd favourite at SG Kopitam is No. 25 Minced Meat Noodle, serving up bowls of everyone’s favourite bak chor mee. Their most popular dish is the Kway Teow Special with Signature Broth (from S$9) which features silky soft kway teow that is generously coated in the special and fragrant house-made fried garlic sauce, topped generously with minced meat, homemade roasted teepoh (deep-fried dry sole fish) and pork lard (my favourite).
Each bowl also comes with their very comforting tonkotsu broth that has been simmered for eight hours, giving it a rich and intense flavour. I can totally see myself devouring a bowl of this on a cold rainy day.
The popular Jin Kimchi Express also has a stall here with their authentic Korean fare like the oh so comforting Kimchi Stew (S$6), Bibim Mul Naeng Myeon (S$9.20), Kimchi Pancake with Squid (S$6.80), and more.
As a self-proclaimed ban mian lover, you bet I gave 161 Ban Mian a go! Whenever you’re in need of something soupy to soothe your soul or warm your tummy, a simple bowl of ban mian can do no wrong.
Mala lovers will absolutely love 161 Ban Mian’s Seafood Mala Sliced Noodle (S$5) which comprises a generous serving of fish slices, prawns and fresh veggies all drowned in a spicy mala broth. Otherwise, the Dry You Mian (S$4.50) is also another must-try with its chewy noodles, well-seasoned minced meat and house-made vinegar sauce coating everything.
SG Kopitiam is also home to Man Tak Kei where you’ll be able to find their signature Malaysian-style zi char dishes like the Garlic White Pepper Stew Fish Head, Garlic Butter Chicken, Nyonya Seafood Hotplate, and even Lala Hotpot.
Other offerings available here include Top Wok’s Pork Cutlet XO Fried Rice (S$8) as well as Ding Hui economic bee hoon and pandan leaf rice, Hakka Yong Tau Foo, and everyone’s favourite kaya toast. You can even pick up a midday waffle here too!
If you’re ever in the neighbourhood looking for something affordable and delicious, SG Kopitiam has everything you’re looking for and more, all under one roof.
What are your lunch plans?
SG Kopitiam
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📍 161 Bukit Merah Central #01-3749, Singapore 150161
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Photos by Marcus Leong.
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