Hungry travellers do well in Singapore. The best cheap meals for big appetites are rice and noodle plates from hawker stalls, where adding extra rice, noodles or an egg costs very little. Most of the dishes below cost around S$4 to S$8, though prices change.
Here are eight filling plates, what is in them and how to make each one bigger. For the wider picture, see our guide on how to eat cheaply in Singapore.
How to make any hawker plate bigger
Before the list, learn the simple ways to get more food. Most stalls are happy to help.
- Choose a bigger size. Many noodle and fried rice stalls show two or three prices on the board, for small, medium and large.
- Ask for extra rice or noodles. Say "add rice" or "add noodles". It usually costs little.
- Add an egg. A fried egg or a braised egg is one of the cheapest add-ons.
- Add a side. A plate of greens or a bowl of soup fills a gap for not much more.
Our guide on how to order at hawker stalls explains how to ask for sizes and extras.
Cheap rice meals for big appetites
Rice is the base of many local meals, and it is the cheapest way to fill up.
1. Nasi lemak
Nasi lemak is rice cooked in coconut milk. It comes with sambal, a chilli paste, plus fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber and an egg. Most stalls add fried chicken or fish. For a bigger plate, add a second chicken wing, another egg or otah, a spiced fish cake. See where to eat nasi lemak, such as Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak.
2. Economy rice
Economy rice lets you build your own plate from trays of cooked dishes. Pick one meat and two vegetables, then ask for extra rice and some curry sauce. It is one of the most filling meals for the price. Learn how to order economy rice before you go.
3. Chicken rice
Chicken rice is poached or roasted chicken with rice cooked in chicken stock. The rice is rich and filling. Ask for a large plate, extra rice or a braised egg. Groups can order a half or whole chicken to share. Find stalls on our chicken rice page.
4. Biryani
Biryani is spiced rice cooked with chicken or mutton, often served with curry and pickles. Portions tend to be generous. In Little India, Bismillah Biryani is one place to try it. Biryani usually costs a little more than other hawker plates.
Hearty noodle and soup dishes
Noodle stalls often sell several sizes, which makes them easy to scale up.
5. Hokkien mee
Hokkien mee is yellow noodles and rice noodles fried in a rich prawn stock, with prawns, squid and egg. It comes with sambal and a small lime. Order the large size if you are hungry. Browse Hokkien mee stalls to find one near you.
6. Bak kut teh
Bak kut teh is pork rib soup, either peppery or herbal, eaten with rice. Many shops will top up your soup when you ask. Add rice or you tiao, fried dough sticks for dipping. It costs more than a noodle plate, but it keeps you full. Try Song Fa Bak Kut Teh on New Bridge Road.
Breads and curries that go a long way
Indian breads with curry are cheap, filling and easy to share.
7. Roti prata
Roti prata is a crispy, flaky flatbread served with curry for dipping. Plain prata is cheap, so you can order three or four pieces. Egg prata, with an egg cooked inside, is more filling. Try Springleaf Prata Place or see more prata spots.
8. Murtabak
Murtabak is a large pan-fried bread stuffed with minced meat, egg and onion, served with curry. It often comes in small, medium and large sizes. A large one can feed two people. Try it at Zam Zam Restaurant in the Bugis and Kampong Glam area.
Want more ideas? Our guide to Malay hawker dishes has more hearty plates, and our Cheap Eats guides cover the rest.
FAQs about filling cheap meals
What is the most filling cheap meal in Singapore?
Rice plates such as economy rice, nasi lemak and biryani are among the most filling. Ask for extra rice to make them go further.
Does extra rice cost money at hawker stalls?
Some stalls add extra rice for free, while others charge a small amount. Ask when you order.
How do I ask for a bigger portion?
Check the board for sizes, then say "large" when you order. You can also say "add noodles" or "add rice".
Can I share dishes at a hawker centre?
Yes. Sharing is normal. Ask the stall for extra plates or bowls, and return them with your tray when you finish.
