If you’re all about healthy eating, you’ll know that avoiding the greasy hawker fare is a challenge. Fret not—we give you the lowdown on the best places to grab a bite, sans the fat.
Afterglow
Raw food takes the limelight at this hipster-friendly, industrial-chic space, giving new meaning to food in its natural form. Try interesting creations like a deconstructed sushi bowl with avocado and miso dressing and raw blueberry cheesecake with macadamia and cashew nuts.
24 Keong Saik Rd., 6334-8921. Open Mon, Wed-Sat noon-11pm; Tue 5:30-11pm.
Aloha Poke
Specializing in Hawaiian salad bowls (poke) that typically have chopped raw ahi tuna, this local eatery also offers salmon or vegetarian options, with a choice of white or brown rice and you can also choose to add on toppings like chia seeds, avocado, and flying fish roe. Plus, if you really need some lunch-time therapy, they also do Hawaiian craft beers. Enough said.
92 Amoy St., 6348-6559, Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-2pm, 5pm till late.
A Poke Theory
This eatery serves fresh Hawaiian poke bowls all day which include a choice of four bases, their signature sushi rice, lemon herb quinoa, jasmine brown rice and romaine lettuce that can be plated with a choice of four different flavors like original Japanese-grade shoyu tuna, spicy garlic sesame tuna, spicy mayo salmon and avocado miso salmon, with a selection of toppings ranging from nori flakes to cherry tomatoes, and more. A regular 100g bowl is priced from $11.50 while a large 150g bowl is priced from $15.
27 Boon Tat St., Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-3pm.
Dosirak
This Korean lunch box-inspired bistro, a heathier rice bowl fixture at China Square Central, now offers an expanded menu with more vegetarian choices like sweet potato & avocado with white radish, bean sprouts, shiitake mushrooms and spinach, and pumpkin & tofu which has enoki mushrooms, spinach, white radish, black beans and purple cabbage.
#01-02 China Square, 18 Cross St., 6536-6034, Open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm.
Grain Traders
This CBD cafe, by the guys who brought us Kilo, has hearty and healthy fare that you can mix-and-match to create your own bowl filled with a carb/grain, a protein, veggies, topping and sauce—or if you’re feeling lazy, just opt for one of their signature bowls with flavors like El Hibaro (striploin, salsa verde, wafu tomato) and The Beebop (braised pork shoulder, furikake corn and slaw).
#01-01/02/03 CapitaGreen, 138 Market St., 6348-6559, Open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm.
Haakon Superfoods & Juice
A new Scandinavian influenced café has just opened up in Holland Village, serving up all-things healthy such as smoothies, salad bowls, superfood bowls and parfaits, acai bowls and hearty, wholesome toasts under one roof. Tuck into the Haakon’s Classic Acai Bowl (organic acai blend loaded with bananas, strawberries, blueberries and coconut flakes) to avoid the sickening food coma while still feeling satisfied, or their Lean Green Smoothie (spinach, macha, celery, soy, apple, kiwi) if you’ve had a heavy breakfast. They also have a slew of healthy snacks for sale online.
#01-03, 118 Holland Ave., Open Mon-Sun 8am-10pm.
Jar’d
Claiming to be Singapore’s first “mason jar salad bar” (fun to say over and over), Jar’d extols the virtues of layering its salad ingredients so you don’t end up with a soggy mess. The reusable jar is a nice touch, too, especially if you fancy yourself a bit of a collector. Dressings and protein go at the bottom where they do little damage to the rest of your crunchy ingredients. Just shake the jar up when you’re ready to eat. Salads come in either 750ml or 1 liter jars, and options include the tuna tataki, quinoa and feta and roast chicken and pesto (all $12.50/16). If you return your jar once you’re done, you get $1 off your next salad purchase.
#B1-38, Tower 1 One Raffles Plc., Open Mon-Sat 7:30am-3:30pm.
Joe & The Juice
If you’re committed to a liquid diet or just thinking about grabbing a quick bite, pop down to this newly-opened Danish coffee and juice bar. The menu boasts choices inspired by the diet of athletes, like the Power Shake with strawberries, banana and vanilla milk, and Breakfast Club with avocado, banana, strawberry, vanilla milk and granola, along with a selection of crispy grilled sandwiches such as their hearty tuna-avocado.
#01-35A Chevron House, 30 Raffles Pl., 6221-2126, Open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-3pm.
Sprout Salad Bar
If you love your greens, or are trying to jump on the salad bandwagon, this place serves some flavorsome ones. They also have gluten-free and dairy-free options, such as the yuzu rocket prawn salad, which is loaded with juicy king prawns, Japanese cucumber, baby spinach). You can also try something heartier like their salad bowls, which use healthy bases such as quinoa and buckwheat noodles.
41 Duxton Rd., 6221-1227, Open Mon-Fri 10am-8:30pm Sat 11am-9pm.
Tangerine
You’ll definitely feel a lot more virtuous after dining at this bright and airy restaurant, which is nestled in the tranquility of Espa. The eatery has Thai celeb chef Ian Kittichai serving as consulting chef, and offers dishes with Thai influences using the freshest produce, so everything’s light, nutritious and healthy, of course. Dishes like Thai-inspired sous vide pork and Asian-style sea bass and salsa veer on the small side, so expect to order lots.
1 Espa, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 6577-6688, Open daily 10am-10pm.
YOLO
They do some flavourful healthy versions of your favourite comfort food (chicken rice, nasi goreng, pasta) and provide weight watchers with different menu options to complement their diets, like protein-based or vegetarian meals, and dairy, gluten and wheat-free items. Our picks include the coconut chicken on brown rice, high protein pancakes with bananas, blueberries and maple syrup and the nasi(er) goreng with brown basmati rice, chilli and eggs.
#01-01 Icon Village, 12 Gopeng St., 6331-3029, Open Mon-Sat 8am-9.30pm; Sun 11am-3pm.
