Where to find healthy food in Bugis
Talk about eating clean while dining out and our minds immediately leap to salads. Yes, salads are great, but Singapore’s dining scene has way more to offer than just greens, especially in the bustling neighborhood of Bugis.
Across its malls, shophouses, and hawker centres, we uncovered nine eateries serving healthy food in Bugis. From hawker fare to international cuisine, they serve wholesome meals that are high in fiber and protein and low in unrefined carbohydrates, proving that you can indulge without compromising your health goals.
Healthy food in Bugis
1. Gem Fresh Yong Tau Foo
Tucked away in the strata-titled Bugis Cube, Gem Fresh Yong Tau Foo is a hidden gem frequented by office workers. Since its debut in 2015, they have been charming customers with its fresh, handmade meatballs and savoury braised mushrooms.
Here, you will find a selection of fresh fish, chicken, and pork— atypical of the processed food galore at most Yong Tau Foo stalls. Pairing these with brown rice or mee sua in a light, clear broth makes for a nutritious meal that is low on the glycemic index and big on flavour.
2. 庙街雷茶 Thunder Tea Rice
The first of its kind to introduce chickpeas in the Hakka Dish, Thunder Tea Rice at Queen Street distinguishes itself with an aromatic broth made from ground tea leaves, assorted nuts, and a medley of herbs.
If you’re watching your carbohydrates intake without giving it up entirely, we recommend a fistful of brown rice, low on the glycemic index and beneficial to your blood sugar management. Also, this dish is packed with over 15 grams of fibre per serving, fulfilling more than half of the daily requirement recommended by the Health Promotion Board.
3. Co Hai Banh Mi & Phở Vietnamese Restaurant
With its pastel facade and a stellar 4.5 stars on Google Reviews, Co Hai Banh Mi & Phở Vietnamese Restaurant is set to whisk you away to the streets of Saigon. While they’re synonymous with their Banh Mi, so revered they even supply it to other eateries, you wouldn’t be missing out even if bread weren’t your first choice.
Dive into their Pho Tai—think silky rice noodles and crunchy bean sprouts in a rich bone broth—or opt for a lighter meal with the Bun Chay, a hearty mix of vermicelli, vegetables, avocado, tofu, and mushrooms for a fibre- and protein-rich meal with none of the guilt.
4. Mrs. Pho (Bussorah Street)
With its specialty phos and charcoal-grilled dishes, Mrs. Pho on Bussorah Street hasboasts a solid 4.3 stars on Google reviews. Sure, the restaurant has outlets in upscale malls like 313@Somerset, but having Vietnamese cuisine in a shophouse adds to its authenticity.
Owned by a Singaporean and Vietnamese couple, Mrs. Pho presents a unique blend of Northern and Southern-style pho recipes. Kick off your meal with the vibrant Goi Xoai, a refreshing mango salad with grilled chicken, followed by the heartwarming Pho Ga or Braised Mushroom Dry Noodle—a perfect choice for warmer days or a meatless diet.
5. Tian Yuan Healthy Vegetarian Food Paradise
Using organic and natural ingredients, Tian Yuan Vegetarian Food Paradise reimagines and puts a healthier spin on an astounding range of local delights.
The menu boasts Singaporean staples like Prawn Mee, Fish Soup, and even Mee Hoon Kueh made with brown rice flour; alongside Malaysian favourites such as Curry Noodles and Penang Laksa. Their repertoire also includes dialect dishes like Foochow Red Yeast Mee Sua and Hakka Thunder Tea Rice, and the ever-popular Korean Jajangmyeon.
Alternatively, you can sample a bit of everything with their set meals a la economical rice, which come with options like olive or brown rice.
6. Soup Spoon (Bugis Junction)
Image: The Soup Spoon
Having survived the constant ebb and flow of tenants, Soup Spoon has become a mainstay and go-to spot for healthy food in Bugis Junction. Boasting natural ingredients and zero preservatives and artificial flavourings, their menu is tailored to those looking for a wholesome meal on the go.
Choose from low-calorie classics like Roasted Pumpkin Soup and Tokyo Chicken Stew, or indulge with Boston Clam Chowder and SG Chicken & Mushroom Ragout. Going for a set meal? Opt for the salads with tofu and quinoa, and their sugarless Jasmine Green Tea over soda. Pro-tip: Skip the bread roll for a small refund and make your meal even lighter.
7. SaladStop! (DUO Galleria)
Now, this list wouldn’t be complete without the ubiquitous SaladStop! They offer everything from the good old Caesar Salad to exotic picks like the Tuna San with seared tuna, the Habibi with falafel, and the Jai Ho with Tandoori chicken. If your tastebuds are decidedly Asian, you’re in for treat,
This year, they’ve upped the ante with new menu items featuring enhanced protein options, and low-calorie delights. For starters, the signature warm protein bowls, with a choice of seared tuna, sous-vide chicken or salmon, are unique to the Duo Galleria outlet. Can’t decide? Let their website tailor recommendations to your diet. It even comes with a handy “low-carb” filter.
8. Poke Theory (Bugis)
Image: Poke Theory
Looking for healthy food in Bugis that’s also fuss-free? Poke bowls are the way to go. The ones at Poke Theory are jazzed up with umami sauces like Mentaiko Mayo and Samsui Ginger, and come with a colourful array of ingredients your nutritionist will approve of.
The light build-your-own option lets you choose from salmon, tuna, chicken, or tempeh and up to five free toppings; with options like brown rice, quinoa, and soba to keep your energy levels steady. Plus, the nutrition calculator on their website is nifty for tracking your intake of calories, proteins, carbs, and fats. Spoiler alert: Their Avocado Poke Bowls have the lowest sugar and carbohydrate content.
9. 成发粥品 Seng Huat Congee
Seng Huat Congee is where comfort food feels like it’s straight from your grandmother's kitchen. Perfecting simple fare is no easy feat, yet patrons rave about its flawless texture—neither too thin nor too thick—and the infusion of pork and century egg flavours in every spoonful.
While their signature congees are tempting, you might opt for the lighter Toman fish porridge if you’re watching your diet, which is equally satisfying when topped with crispy fried shallots, fresh spring onions, and a hint of soy sauce and pepper. Also on offer are comforting bowls of thick bee hoon and mee sua soups, making Seng Huat the place to go for a taste of home.
Eat well, be well
At the end of the day, watching your diet isn’t about counting the calories and ditching your guilty pleasures altogether. Besides, true wellness is more than what you eat. It requires a holistic approach, and that’s where NOVI comes in.
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