Cover Mongkok Dim Sum (Photo: Shootandspoon / Instagram)
Mongkok Dim Sum (Photo: Shootandspoon / Instagram)
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Not in the mood to cook supper? Head out and explore the buzzy district’s food scene instead
Apart from being known as Singapore’s red-light district, Geylang is also famous for its vibrant food scene which seems to come even more alive once the sun sets. A plethora of eateries extend beyond the usual 10.30 pm closure, enticing gourmands to save some stomach space for a hearty supper of frog porridge, hor fun or bak kut teh.
The next time your late-night cravings hit, venture out and explore some of Geylang’s alleys and discover a treasure trove of stalls that open late into the night. Here are five to include in your must-try list.
In case you missed it: 5 food gems to discover in Tiong Bahru
1. Mongkok Dim Sum
Sometimes, all you need is a comforting dim sum meal in the middle of the night—and Mongkok Dim Sum might just be the place to visit to satisfy these cravings. Its extensive menu features tantalising plates like vegetable spring rolls, pork dumplings and glutinous rice. Standouts include the crispy yam pastry stuffed with meat, fluffy custard buns and the trio eggs crab porridge. The latter is perfect for sharing and comprises a medley of crab meat, chicken egg, chopped century egg and salted egg mixed in rich congee.
Mongkok Dim Sum, 214 Geylang Road, S(389274)
2. JB Ah Meng Restaurant
Look forward to authentic Johor Bahru-style zi char at this restaurant. While there are plenty of options to choose from, a crowd favourite is its white pepper crab. The fragrant dish includes plump and juicy crab stir-fried with Sarawak white pepper, ginger and spring onions. Another must-try is its san lou bee hoon, featuring rice vermicelli dotted with shredded squid and dried shrimp. It’s fried until golden brown and crisp on the outside.
JB Ah Meng Restaurant, 534 Geylang Road, S(389490), +65 6741 2418
3. Imam Banana Leaf Restaurant
Established in 1993, this popular late-night spot is one of the oldest banana leaf restaurants, and for good reason. Whether you’re craving a plate of roti prata or an aromatic bowl of biryani, Imam Banana Leaf Restaurant is the place to be for midnight cravings. The chicken biriyani is a popular choice, thanks to its fluffy basmati rice and juicy chicken mixed with a fragrant blend of spices. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, the boom prata is served sweet with sugar and margarine.
4. 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi
This 24-hour dim sum spot is perfect for late night supper runs. The humble joint boasts an extensive selection of dim sum dishes, including fried carrot cake, pork buns and prawn siew mai. On top of classic offerings, look out for unique dishes too, like the beef kimchi rolls, fried chicken feet and deep fried flower crab with pork.
126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi, 126 Sims Avenue, S(387449), +65 6746 4757
5. Bali Nasi Lemak
Open since 1985, this nasi lemak speciality store offers a selection of sets, the most popular option being the Bali famous chicken wing set. The signature dish is an assortment of fragrant coconut rice, crispy fried chicken wing glazed in a sweet kicap manis sauce, fried egg, roasted peanuts and ikan bilis. If you’re feeling extra peckish, top up your meal with a la carte dishes including Nyonya otah, sotong fillet and curry vegetables. Open until 2 am.
Bali Nasi Lemak, 2 Lor 15 Geylang, S(388596), +65 8864 3816
6. Eminent Frog Porridge
Recognised in the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022 list, this eatery is famed for its piping hot frog porridge. Each serving is cooked in clay pot and brims with frog legs. The joint also serves up frog legs cooked in various sauces, including the fiery gong bao (dried chili), spring onion, and garlic and white pepper.
Not a fan of frog legs? Other a la carte dishes are available too, including chilli crab, sambal chicken, and minced pork French beans. Open until 3.30 am.
Eminent Frog Porridge, 323 Geylang Road, S(389359), +65 9842 2941
7. Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow
This eatery’s beef hor fun is a crowd-favourite for good reason. Each plate gives you velvety smooth hor fun noodles packed with tender beef slices, and finished with a generous glaze of savoury hor fun sauce. Have a bite and revel in its smoky wok hei flavours.
Seafood lovers may opt for the seafood hor fun, which replaces the beef slices with fresh prawns and sotong. Pair the plate with a la carte zi char dishes, among which are the coffee pork ribs and cereal-coated chicken. Open until 12.30 am.
Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow, 237 Geylang Road, S(389296), +65 9388 0723
Read more: The best zi char in Singapore, according to local chefs
8. Leong Kee Bak Kut Teh
Fans of the Malaysian-style bak kut the should head to this joint for a warm bowl of herbal and dry bowl of Klang bak kut teh. Clear pepper broth is replaced with a rich broth that is redolent of aromatic herbal notes. Served alongside the bak kut teh are juicy pork ribs that have been simmered in the broth until fork-tender. The dry bak kut teh is another standout where the pork ribs in this dish are tossed in a sweet and savoury dark sauce. It’s accompanied by red chilli and cuttlefish for extra flavours. Open until 11.30 pm.
Leong Kee Bak Kut Teh, 251 Geylang Road, S(389309), +65 8022 8888
9. The Skewer Bar
Indulge in yakitori skewers while sipping on ice cold pints at The Skewer Bar. A plethora of options are available, among which include handmade meatballs, chicken gizzard, kimchi rice cake, and bacon-wrapped lychee. Each skewer is meticulously grilled to achieve a beautiful and aromatic char. Other mains are available too, like the nam yu tori karaage or chicken marinated in red fermented bean curd before it’s fried until golden and crisp. Wash these dishes down with a spirit or two—try the Geikkekan Kyo-No-Isumi, a dry and clean sake with refreshing fruity flavours. Open until 12 am.
The Skewer Bar, 2 Lorong 25 Geylang, S(388287), +65 9642 0837
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Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
