As a former art school student, Bras Basah Complex holds a special place in my heart. Food in the town area can be pricey, so finding a food court that serves not only affordable but also tasty dishes feels like a lifesaver.
The food court recently underwent renovations and has now reopened as Shifu Food Court that operates 24/7. Yes, so when you need some midnight fuel after catching a late-night movie, drinks, or burning the midnight oil (something all art students can relate to), you know where to go.
What makes Shifu Food Court so special is the various artworks and murals displayed throughout the space. It’s a lot more vibrant compared to other food courts, and we gotta thank the NAFA students for that.
While I’ll definitely ‘chope‘ a seat in the air conditioned area, the space does feel a bit cramped. As such, if you’re like me and prefer some social distance or a quieter spot to work or study (free wifi is provided here!), I recommend heading outside. No fret, the outdoor seats are sheltered.
At Shifu Food Court, you can look forward to 14 stalls, with memorable mentions going to Penang Island, Chun Noodle Bar, Sultan Curry Indian Muslim Cuisine, and Haru-Haru.
Chun Noodle Bar is where you can get your classic wonton and char siu noodles topped with truffle. I may not be the biggest fan of truffles (I know I’d offend some people with this statement) yet I can’t help but order it after getting a whiff of the aroma.
Fresh truffles were shaved right in front of me and garnished on top of my Dry Truffle Char Siu Wonton (from S$5.50). Thanks to the truffle, the flavours were more refined (in a good way!), making this far from your average char siu noodle dish.
I also enjoyed digging into Haru-Haru’s Mentai Unagi Don (S$13.90), which comes with a side of dashi soup instead of miso. As i found the soup way too salty, it went right back on the tray. The unagi don, though, was a completely different story.
The unagi was perfectly grilled and tender, with a subtle smokiness that paired well with the creamy, briny mentaiko sauce. The rice was also fluffy and soaked up just the right amount of sauce.
Other dishes you can order at Haru-Haru include the Mentai Chicken Katsu Don (S$8.90), Mentai Pork Katsu Curry (S$10.90), and Mentai Salmon Katsu Don (S$11.90).
Muslim friends, you aren’t left out as Sultan Curry Indian Muslim Cuisine offers a wide range of local favourites, from Goreng (from S$4.80) and Nasi Lemak (S$4.50) to nasi padang (from S$3.50).
I got the Masala Dosai (S$4.50), accompanied by two condiments: sambar for some spice and chutney to cool the tongue. The dosai itself had a light tang, which paired perfectly with the warm, mildly spiced potato masala.
For desserts, you can’t miss the Penang Chendol (from S$3.50) from Penang Island. As the name suggests, the stall specialises in authentic Malaysian hawker favourites.
I treated myself to their Penang Chendol with Durian (S$4.50). Me being ever so greedy would have liked even more durian, though you can’t blame me when the durian tasted great. The gula melaka wasn’t too gao and balanced the creamy coconut milk well.
If you prefer your sweets to be lighter, you can opt for the Cheng Tng from Shifu Cafe, Heritage of Flavours. Here, you’ll find a wide selection of beverages, including barista-style coffee at food court prices, homemade drinks like bandung (from S$2.50), and beers.
As mentioned earlier, Shifu Food Court is conveniently located near schools like NAFA, LASALLE, and SMU. Students from these schools can flash their student cards and they get to enjoy up to 20% off on their meals and drinks.
With all these tasty options and perks, which stall will you be rushing to first?
Shifu Food Court
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📍231 Bain Street, #01-79 Bras Basah Complex, Singapore 180231
🕐 24 hours
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Photos by Sheree Chua