Yum Cha Chinatown

 In celebration of Singapore's 61st Birthday, Yum Cha is introducing a special National Day Limited Time Menu, available from 1 July to 30 September 2026. Inspired by familiar local flavours and reimagined with Yum Cha's signature dim sum touch, these seasonal creations offer a unique way to celebrate the nation's birthday.

Yum Cha

 Whether you're a long-time fan of Yum Cha or simply looking for something different to enjoy with family and friends, this limited-time menu is one you won't want to miss before it's gone.

Yum Cha Chinatown

Singapore's favourite local flavours take centre stage at Yum Cha this National Day season with a specially curated menu inspired by some of the nation's most iconic dishes. From Bak Kut Teh, Chilli Crab and Laksa to Satay and Nanyang Kaya, each creation transforms familiar hawker favourites into inventive dim sum and restaurant-style dishes. Available for a limited time from 1 July to 30 September 2026, the menu offers a fun and nostalgic dining experience, complemented by a meaningful charity initiative that celebrates the true spirit of giving back this National Day.

National Day 2026 Specials 

The Nanyang Kaya Layer Cake was a delightful surprise. Layered with kaya, sweet potato, corn and red beans, it offered a pleasant mix of textures and natural sweetness without being overly rich, making it a satisfying way to end the meal.

Nanyang Kaya Layer Cake 南洋咖椰千层糕

These adorable Chilli Crab Buns were almost too cute to eat. Beneath the crispy golden exterior was a soft, fluffy bun filled with the rich, sweet and mildly spicy flavours of Singapore's iconic chilli crab, making them both fun and delicious.

Chilli Crab Bao 脆皮辣椒蚧包

The Assam Cod Fish Steak featured a lightly pan-seared cod fillet that was tender and flaky. Paired with a tangy assam sauce, it struck a nice balance of sweet, sour and mildly spicy flavours, while the fresh cucumber and pineapple added a refreshing crunch.

Assam Cod Fish Steak 亚参鳕鱼

A true taste of Singapore, the Satay with Fried Rice paired fragrant satay-seasoned fried rice with tender, flavourful satay skewers. Served alongside bite-sized ketupat cubes, this dish brought together the familiar flavours of a classic satay feast in one satisfying plate.

Satay Fried Rice 沙爹炒饭

One of the highlights from Yum Cha's National Day Specials was the Bak Kut Teh Xiao Long Bao (肉骨茶小笼包). Although this seasonal favourite has appeared on their National Day menu over the years, it was my very first time trying it. Instead of the usual white wrapper, this xiao long bao comes in a distinctive brown skin to resemble the herbal Bak Kut Teh broth. Bite into it and you will be greeted by a rich, peppery soup filling that replaces the traditional pork broth, delivering the familiar warmth and robust flavours of a comforting bowl of Bak Kut Teh in a single dumpling. It is a creative local twist that perfectly captures the essence of one of Singapore's most beloved dishes.

BKT Xiao Long Bao 肉骨茶小笼包

The Pork Prata Pancake puts a local spin on a classic Chinese pancake. Wrapped in a flaky, crispy prata-like pastry, the savoury pork filling makes it a satisfying snack that combines familiar Singaporean flavours with dim sum.

Pork Prata Pancake

The Otak Siew Mai is one of Yum Cha's signature dim sum items that's available all year round. Filled with fragrant otak, it delivers a pleasant spicy kick while the texture is softer and more delicate than a traditional siew mai, making it one of my personal favourites.

Otak Siew Mai 乌打烧卖

The Laksa Crispy Rice Roll was an interesting fusion creation. The crispy rice roll soaked up the rich, aromatic laksa gravy beautifully while still retaining a light crunch, delivering the familiar flavours of Singapore's beloved laksa with an enjoyable contrast in texture.

Laksa Crispy Rice Flour Roll

Beyond the food, Yum Cha is also giving back through a meaningful Five Stones Charity Initiative. Priced at $10 per set, every dollar from the sale goes to the Children's Aid Society to support children, youths and families in need. There's also a Five Stones Challenge, where participants stand a chance to win a $20 Yum Cha dine in voucher by putting their five stones skills to the test. It's a nostalgic keepsake that lets you relive a classic Singaporean childhood game while supporting a worthy cause.

5 Stones

Yum Cha Chinatown
Location: 20 Trengganu Street (Off Temple Street) #02-01 Singapore 058479
Website

Sun Kimchi

If you have ever craved authentic Korean flavours without splurging, Sun Kimchi at Fook Hai Building might just be your next go-to spot. Tucked away in the heart of the city, this humble eatery serves up comforting Korean dishes that are mostly priced under $10. From hearty stews to sizzling plates, it’s a place where you can indulge in your Korean food fix without breaking the bank.

Sun Kimchi

When I was in Korea for two weeks a few months back, I quickly grew fond of their food and drinks  and I have been missing them ever since. Thankfully, in Singapore, we are spoiled with endless choices of cuisines, and even something as simple as a Korean barley rice drink can instantly quench my thirst and bring back those memories.

Korean Drink

I have been missing Sikhye, the traditional sweet Korean rice beverage and what will be a better way to kickstart my Korean meal than with this refreshing drink?

Korean Drink 韩国饮料 - $2.50

Above all the cravings, what makes Sun Kimchi even more attractive is its straightforward pricing, no GST, no service charge, just honest and affordable Korean food.

No Hidden Cost

To be honest, during my two weeks in Korea, I only managed to try corn cheese once, so I was pretty excited to spot it on Sun Kimchi’s menu. The golden corn kernels came sizzling on a hot plate, blanketed in melted cheese and of course, we couldn’t resist having a little fun with the satisfying cheese pull before digging in.

Corn Cheese 芝士玉米 - $5.90 

Korean steamed egg, or Gyeran-jjim, is the ultimate comfort side dish. Served piping hot in a stone bowl, the eggs are whisked until fluffy and gently steamed, creating a soft, custard-like texture. Often garnished with chopped spring onions and vegetables, it’s light yet satisfying — the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out.

Korean Steamed Eggs 韩式蒸蛋 - $4.90

The Chive Pancake caught our attention at first sight! Unlike the usual large, round serving, these came in petite portions almost the size of a sauce dish. Bite-sized, crispy, and flavorful, they were undeniably addictive.

Chive Pancake 韭菜煎饼 - $6.90

The Smoked Duck Rice Bowl is beautifully presented with slices of succulent smoked duck fanned around a perfectly soft poached egg. Vibrant vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots add a fresh pop of color, while a generous sprinkle of roasted sesame seeds and shredded seaweed on top enhances both texture and visual appeal. A feast for both the eyes and the palate!

Smoked Duck Rice Bowl - $11.90

Kimchi Chicken Soup is a hearty and fiery Korean classic, simmered to perfection with tender chicken pieces, soft tofu, and crunchy vegetables.

Kimchi Soup with Chicken 泡菜鸡肉汤饭 - $7.90

The tangy, spicy kick of fermented kimchi blends harmoniously with the rich broth, creating a bold and soul-warming flavor. Topped with fresh green onions, chili slices, and enoki mushrooms, this dish is perfect for those who love a good balance of spice, umami, and comfort in every spoonful.

Appetizing

he Beef Bulgogi Hot Plate was absolutely delicious. These tender beef slices infused with a flavorful marinade and paired with sweet, caramelized onions. A true comfort dish!

Hot Plate Beef with Rice 铁板牛肉饭 - $12.90

Another dish I miss is their Ramyeon. We had the Kimchi Ramyeon with pork, and it was so appetizing! The noodles were springy and delicious. Cravings satisfied!

Kimchi Ramyeon with Pork 泡菜牛肉拉面 - $8.90

Cravings Satisfied

Though the eatery isn’t big, the menu is more than adequate with comforting simple Korean dishes. Plus, it’s pocket-friendly and, most importantly, a pretty good eat!

Our Orders

Sun Kimchi
Location: Fook Hai Building, 150 South Bridge Road, #01-11 Singapore 058727

Good Combo Hotpot & BBQ Buffet 左煮右烤

Good Combo Hotpot offers an impressive concept, combining a hotpot buffet with a grill menu. I love the fact that you can enjoy the best of both worlds—grilling and hotpot—in one sitting. With over 11 sensational soup bases to choose from and a spread of more than 90 free-flow items, it’s a feast to remember. The selection includes premium cuts of meat and their refreshing new Cold Brew Ice Tea, making the experience even more delightful.

Good Combo Hot Pot Facade

Good Combo Hotpot is conveniently situated right next to Exit A of Chinatown MRT station, making it easily accessible. It’s the perfect spot for hosting gatherings with family and friends, offering a great blend of convenience and a memorable dining experience.

At the Good Combo 

Operating from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily, Good Combo Hotpot is the ideal spot to satisfy those late-night hunger pangs. Whether you're craving a hearty meal or looking for a good supper venue, you’ll know exactly where to head.

Good Combo offers three dining options for patrons: Superb, Signature, and Supreme. Each selection comes with a different dining duration—90 minutes for Superb, 100 minutes for Signature, and 120 minutes for Supreme.

Operating Hours

They provide an option to scan a QR code and join their membership program, offering access to a variety of attractive rewards. Among these perks is the chance to win the latest model of the Apple iPhone with 128GB storage—a tempting incentive for sure!

Sign up for Member & Get Rewarded

If you’re unsure about which seasonings to choose, you can always try these suggested dipping combinations for your hotpot. I found them to be incredibly helpful and tasty!

Sauce Recipe

I had the chance to try their limited-time offering, the Mega Shrimp Broth, which features a generously sized prawn. The broth, used as the base for my hotpot, was incredibly rich and brimming with an intense, heady prawn flavor.

Mega Shrimp Broth - $4.80

With a variety of soup bases available, we opted for the Nourishing Chicken Fish Maw Broth. Its creamy and appetizing appearance made it a perfect match for the hotpot ingredients.

Nourishing Chicken Fishmaw Broth 金汤鱼漂锅 - $4.80

These snacks are undeniably tempting, boasting a crusty exterior cooked to golden-brown perfection.

Taro & Sweet Potato Balls 香芋地瓜丸

Taro & Sweet Potato Balls

Their menu even includes cooked items like Xiao Long Bao. Great news for Xiao Long Bao lovers—you can enjoy them free flow!

Xiao Long Bao

Familiar favourites like Braised Pork Ribs and Mouthwatering Chicken are also available for order, adding more variety to the meal.

Braised Pork Ribs & Mouthwatering Chicken

It was almost the eleventh hour when we decided to order the crab. I initially hesitated, assuming they would serve flower crab, which isn’t my preferred type. However, after checking with the servers about the breed of crab, we decided to give it a try. We paired it with some clams, and it turned out to be a great choice.

Crab & Clam

Overall, I really appreciate the concept of individual hotpot bases, where each person gets to choose their preferred soup and BBQ items. It adds a personalized touch and takes the hotpot experience to another level. Who says hotpot is only for group dining? Now, you can enjoy it solo, exactly the way you like it.

Good Combo Hotpot & BBQ Buffet 左煮右烤

Location: 75 Pagoda St, Singapore 059234 (Beside Chinatown MRT Exit A)

Nearest Station: Chinatown (NE4)

Qing Hua Jiao & Jing Yue Rong

With a huge promotion in April 2024, it drew a substantial long queue outside the restaurant. 

From 6 to 30 April: Each Dine-In Table will be entitled to receive 50% off Signature Sichuan Peppercorn Fish for 3-4 Pax Vouchers.

Interior

Here's the Authentic Green Peppercorn from Qing Hua Jiao. These Green Peppercorns are from Jiangjin, Chongqing and boast an extremely numbing sensation.

Signature Sichuan Peppercorn Fish 

Sizzling hot oil is poured over the green peppercorns as a finishing touch to stimulate its subtle fruity scent. Pairing with their fresh and plump black fish slices, it tingles our tastebuds with a delighting numbing twist.

Green Peppercorn

While the type of cuisine is spicy by default, the stir-fried beef was not spared from spiciness either. The sliced beef was chewy and yummy with cut chilli, peppercorn and Chinese Celery to boast its taste. 

Stir-Fried Beef

The Steamed Prawns with Garlic & Glass Noodles look decent to me for someone who wants to skip some spiciness.

Steamed Prawns with Garlic & Glass Noodles

8 Steamed Prawns were deshelled and served on top of the tasty Glass Noodles.

Tang Hoon

Garlic on Prawns

Enjoy the free-flow unlimited ice jelly for everyone! The wobbly ice jelly is refreshing and you can top up any ingredients at the dessert counter. 

Ice Jelly

Thank you Shewyn for extending the invitation.

Qing Hua Jiao & Jing Yue Rong
Location: Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Rd, #B1-16 Singapore 059413

BBQ Box (Chinatown)

With the Chinese Skewers aka Chuan Shao getting their popularity over the years in Singapore, we can see more and more of such eateries appearing near us. I must admit that I'm a "late boomer" in appreciating such delicacies but well, better late than never. 

We have been visiting different kinds of Grilled Chinese Skewers individual eateries over time and have finally visited BBQ Box which has a lot of outlets in Singapore.

With doors open till late and over years, BBQ Box is fast becoming a popular hot spot for casual suppers and after-work get together, especially outlets in Bugis, Geylang as well as Bukit Timah.

Interior BBQ Box

We prepared ourselves with a jug of Sparkling watermelon Yakult Drink to pair with our ordered skewers. It was refreshing.

Prosperity Sparkling Watermelon Yakult Drink

We had the set menu for 2, topping up with some ala carte orders.

For Starters

• Spicy Cucumber 手拍黄瓜

Mains

• Dumpling with Shrimp Leek & Egg 虾仁三鲜水饺 （12pcs)

BBQ Delights

• Signature Mutton on Rose Willow Branch 红柳枝羔羊  (2 skewers)
• Grilled Pork Sausage 烤猪肉香肠 (1 Skewer)
• Grilled Orleans middle-loin pork 奥尔良猪颈肉 (2 skewers)
• Cajun Roasted Chicken mid-wings 奥尔良中翅 (3 pcs)
• Grilled Fresh Prawns with Sea Salt 碳烤海盐鲜虾串 (2 skewers)
• Grilled Romaine Lettuce 烤油麦菜 (2 sets)
• Grilled Potato Chip 烤土豆片 ) (1 set of 3 skewers)
• Grilled whole Eggplant with special sauce 锡纸烤全茄 (1 Set)

Spicy Cucumber was not too spicy for a starter. They are appetising and good.

Abalone Marbled Beef Skewer (Left) - $6.80

Every skewer is placed onto the warmer with steel plate so that we can enjoy the warm and yummy sticks of skewers. The skewers that we had were decked up by the grilled romaine lettuce.  Did you spot that the 2 mutton skewer on rose wood too?

The Skewers

The dumplings were juicy and it went so well by dipping them into the chinese black vinegar.

Dumpling with Shrimp Leek & Egg 虾仁三鲜水饺 （12pcs)

The Grilled Premium Half Shell Scallops was a tad spicy and garlicky. Overall, it was quite tasty for us.

Grilled Premium Half Shell Scallops 2 Pcs - $9.80

The Cajun Roasted Chicken Mid-Wings were yummy and well roasted, sprinkled with roasted sesame. 

Cajun Roasted Chicken mid-wings 奥尔良中翅 (3 pcs)

Soft and spongy interior laid with a generous layer of delicious minced meat paste adorned with green coriander.

Grilled Eggplant 

The Teriyaki Chicken was drenched in the savoury sweet gravy garnished with onions and spring onions. The meat was charred at some parts and the only pet peeve that I had was that meat was tough.

Teriyaki Chicken

Man Tou

We were addicted to the skewers and ordered more. I also ordered my favourite grilled oyster mushrooms.

Additional Orders

While I was expecting to smell like "walking skewers" after the meal, I'm glad I not one after that. With so many BBQ Box outlets around, we will definitely be back for more.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

BBQ Box (Chinatown)
Location: 262 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058811
Website