By Alexander Kuo and Luvya Gambhir

There are many different dishes sold in our Raffles Canteen, ranging from Prata and Nasi Lemak, to Mashed Potato and Black Pepper Chicken Rice. We are sure that some of these dishes are so delicious that even the first bite makes your taste buds jump for joy. This is a list of canteen dishes that we highly recommend you to try during break!

1. Chicken Chop Spaghetti (8.1/10)

Picture of Chicken Chop Spaghetti, from Chia’s Western Stall

In our canteen, Chia’s Western stall cooks up balanced and delicious meals. Their specialty, chicken chop spaghetti, is a dish that is filled with healthy goodness. It consists of chicken, mashed potato, spaghetti and an omelette, for an affordable price of $3. It’s an amazing deal, that tastes good too! Moreover, this dish showcases the Western culture in our multicultural Singapore. In our canteen, we have foods from many different cultures, and this dish definitely highlights that peak of western dishes. It is definitely a great choice of food to try out!

2. Thai Basil Chicken Rice (8.3/10)

Picture of Thai Basil Chicken, from Sawatdi Thai Food Stall

Spicy, savoury, mouth-watering. Most people would think of these adjectives every time the thought of having a bite of Thai Basil Chicken comes to mind.

As mentioned in its name, Thai Basil Chicken is a street dish that is popular all around the world. In our canteen, we are fortunate to have the Sawatdi Thai Food stall that offers such a delicious delicacy.

In an interview, Cai Yu Chen, 2B, a huge enthusiast of Thai Basil Chicken, remarked that the dish was, “Simply delicious … It’s a very flavourful and unique dish.”

For $3, you get a plate of rice and a large serving of spicy chicken, which is definitely extremely value-for-money. Besides, if you’re looking to try something new and out of this world, try this dish now!

3. Mixed Vegetable Rice (8.7/10)

Picture of Mixed Vegetable rice, from Koh’s Cooked Food Stall

“Uncle, can I have this ah, this veggie, and…also…this meat? Xie xie.”

When going to Koh’s Cooked Food stall in our canteen, we always order in our local slang that showcases Singaporean culture. Merging ingredients from a myriad of cultures, this dish encapsulates our rich, strong and multi-racial culture.

Consisting of vegetables, meats, eggs, and other seasonal dishes, mixed vegetable rice offers a great flexibility in dish choices. If you’re looking for something spicy, why not order the curry chicken, with maybe a side of that delicious sambal kang kong. Or if you’re craving something crispy, go for the chicken cutlet, with a sunny-side-up. This dish definitely will fit your taste, no matter how bizarre yours is.

Lucus Liu, 2B, a fan of mixed vegetable rice, commented,“This dish [embodies] Singaporean culture, with its wide selection of local dishes. I would eat it every day if I could.”

4. Chicken Rice (9.2/10)

Picture of Chicken Rice, with a braised egg, from Koh’s Chicken Rice.

When you walk into the canteen, there’s a plethora of smells. However, there’s one aroma that just makes you want to make a beeline straight to its stall. Ever heard of the Chicken Rice Fragrance? It’s a wonderful, fresh smell that is guaranteed to make your mouth water.

Singapore is famous for its iconic and delicious chicken rice. Its rice that shimmers like pearls and tender meat that melts in your mouth definitely leave you craving for more! Our very own chicken rice stall, Koh’s Chicken Rice, cooks up the tastiest chicken rice. 

When asked what made chicken rice such a tasty dish, Ng Chen Wee from 2B said, “The rice and the chicken blend well together, and the dish is just built differently.”

If you’re looking for a savoury delicacy, this dish is a perfect fit for you!

5. Beancurd / Pudding from Nang’s Fruits Stall (9.3/10)

Matcha Beancurd from Nang’s Fruits Stall

If you are in search of a chilled, light, creamy and healthy dessert, you have hit the jackpot! Beancurd is made of soybean and water so it is a health and vegetarian friendly option. There are a wide variety of bean curd flavours served at Nang’s Fruit Stall, with Uncle Chang also serving the Plain beancurd at the same price. To top it all off, unlike packed biscuits or ice creams, beancurd is not too sweet but sufficient to please your sweet tooth and it also costs merely $1! A delightful treat for both your tastebuds and pocket!

6. Chee Cheong Fun, Curry Potato Bao and Red Bean Bao from Uncle Chang Cafe (9.5/10)

The Curry Potato Bao and Red Bean Bao.

Looking for something spicy that will satisfy your hunger pangs? Well the Curry Potato Bao and Chee Cheong Fun are the perfect combination! The Curry Potato Bao is soft, hot and a healthier option as it is steamed and not fried – what’s not to love? Moreover, it is a vegetarian option. Chee Cheong Fun, a delectable and renowned breakfast option, when served with the Chilli Oil, has a satisfying zing. The Red Bean Bao is  suitable as a hot dessert or even just a snack as it is not very sweet. At just $1.20 and $0.80 each, the Chee Cheong Fun and Baos are perfect for those looking to fill their stomach on a budget!

8. Shoyu Beef Ramen/Udon (9.5/10)

The Shoyu beef udon.

Craving something healthy, yet delicious? The Shoyu beef noodles from Lee’s Japanese Food is the perfect dish for you. Soy beans and beef are good sources of protein, and udon noodles are usually made from wheat flour, making this dish a healthier option. There are two things that make this dish so irresistible. First is its broth. Not only does it make your stomach warm and full, it is also extremely tasty. Second is the price of the dish itself. With an affordable price of $2.70, it is an opportunity that you’d not want to miss out on. One more thing to take note, you can choose between ramen and udon for this dish, so make sure you try both out! 

Conclusion

Our canteen offers a diverse selection of cuisines, from Japanese to Western, with a wide variety of flavours and cooking styles. Whether fried or steamed, sweet or sour, there is something for everyone to enjoy. This diversity makes our canteen an exciting place to explore new dishes. Instead of sticking to your usual orders, step outside your comfort zone—you might just discover a new favourite!

Hopefully, this list has given you some ideas for what to try during break, regardless of your cuisine preferences. Let’s embrace new food cultures and make the most of the culinary variety in our canteen.