Eat Like a King or Queen in Singapore on a Budget

Singapore is known for being more expensive than you're average South East Asian cities and costs can spiral, especially with a family. But Singapore is no ordinary city. Read on to find THE best place to visit if you're a foodie and love Michelin quality food without blowing the budget (yes truly)! And if you know our blog or know us, you'll know that we love great food. You'll also know that whilst we're not averse to a fancy dinner date, we also really love to save money. And Singapore is the best when it comes to both of these things.

And this really is our best tip when traveling to Singapore - you can truly eat like Kings and Queens on a budget... and eat the best food you'll ever eat. Absolute truth bombs!

How We Ate Like Kings in Singapore for $25: A Budget-Friendly Guide for Families

And how $5 per person is enough! Singapore is one of the world’s most exciting cities—with a price tag to match. After months of affordable living in Bali, arriving in Singapore as a family of four used to Bali prices - hit our travel budget hard. But there was one place that saved us from splurging on every meal: Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre.

If you're a traveling family like us and want to eat amazing food without blowing your budget, this blog is for you.

🥢 Why Hawker Centres Are a Family’s Best Friend in Singapore

Singapore’s hawker centres are legendary—and for good reason. They’re a vibrant mix of food court, street market, and cultural melting pot, serving everything from Michelin-starred chicken rice to local desserts for just a few dollars a plate.

Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre, in particular, became our go-to for eating out without guilt. Here's why:

• We fed our whole family for just S$25 (approx £15)

• Huge variety: Everyone found something they loved, from roast duck to fruit juice

• Eat like a local: Surrounded by locals, we felt the heart of Singapore

• No reservations, no fuss: Pull up a chair and eat whenever you're hungry

📍 Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre: Essential Info

• Location: 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335

• Nearest MRT: Chinatown MRT (Exit A, about a 5-minute walk)

• Opening Hours: Most stalls open from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, but go around 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM for the full buzz

• Best for: Traditional Singaporean dishes, affordable meals, eating with locals

🍜 What We Ate for $25 (And Loved!)

Here's how we made the most of our S$25 (with a little room for dessert and drinks!). But note, we ate at Hawker stalls so many times that this is a guide and we tried so many different things and regretted nothing. All the best food we've eaten:

Item	Price (approx)	Notes
Roast Duck Rice	S$4.50	Crispy skin, rich flavour, generous portion
Chicken Rice	S$3.50	A local must-try — simple, comforting, delicious
Noodles with Char Siew	S$4.00	Sweet, sticky, smoky pork perfection
Passionfruit & Honey Juice	S$2.50	Fresh-squeezed, perfect with spicy food
Dumplings	S$3.00	You Need these in your life
Ice Kachang (Dessert)	S$3.00	Shaved ice, syrup, jelly, red beans — kids LOVED it
Extra Drinks	S$2.00	Lemon tea and barley water for the adults

📝 Total: S$25.50 for a feast that left us all full, happy, and amazed.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tips for Visiting With Kids

• Come early or late to avoid long lines (especially around lunch).

• Walk around first to see what’s on offer. The choices are overwhelming!

• Bring cash or use a contactless payment card—not all stalls accept credit cards. There's an ATM downstairs near the escalators at The Chinatown Complex

• Be flexible: Seating is first-come, first-served. Sharing tables is common, and it's a great chance to chat with locals.

• Clean up after yourselves—Singapore takes hygiene seriously, and there are designated tray return stations. Actually this is also a fine-able rule too!

• Let kids choose their meal: It’s empowering and encourages adventurous eating!

💡 More Ways to Save Money on Food in Singapore

1. Eat where the locals eat: Avoid tourist traps or restaurants with flashy signs.

2. Look for Kopitiams (coffee shops): Smaller versions of hawker centres found in neighbourhoods.

3. Skip breakfast at hotels: Head to a market instead for kaya toast, eggs, and kopi for under S$5.

4. Use water fountains: Bottled water adds up quickly—refill your bottles where you can. Also you can drink the tap water in Singapore so fill and re-fill.

5. Plan ahead: Google “best hawker stalls near me” to avoid aimless wandering and hungry tantrums!

🌟 Why We Loved It

Eating at Chinatown Complex wasn’t just about saving money—it was one of the most authentic cultural experiences we had in Singapore. We chatted with stall owners, watched food being cooked fresh in front of us, and the kids got to try flavours they’d never tasted before.

It was delicious, educational, and real. That’s what travel is all about, right?

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to spend hundreds on fancy restaurants to enjoy incredible food in Singapore. And in Singapore you totally can. There's an abundance of fancy restaurants. Hawker centres like Chinatown Complex offer rich culture, flavourful meals, and unbeatable value—perfect for families traveling on a budget.

If you’re heading to Singapore soon, skip the hotel buffet and make your way to Smith Street. Your tastebuds (and your wallet) will thank you.

Want help planning your Singapore adventure? Let me know in the comments & I can help you create the perfect itinerary for you. I hope you found this post helpful. In the meantime keep up with our daily updates below:

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