We keep coming back to Fortune Centre food, and we’re not entirely sure we can explain why to people who haven’t been.
It’s not pretty. The lift is slow. The corridors smell faintly of incense from the temple crowd next door at Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, and the lighting hasn’t changed since some decade nobody bothered to mark. But over the past year or so, we’ve eaten our way through most of this place, sometimes alone with a book, sometimes dragging a friend who didn’t believe us. And every time, we left full. Not just our stomachs. Something quieter than that too.
This is one of those buildings where small restaurants survive because regulars never stopped showing up. It leans heavily vegetarian, heavily Japanese, and entirely unbothered by trends. Sitting on Middle Road, just a short walk from Bencoolen MRT and Waterloo Street, it’s the kind of place you’d walk past a hundred times before someone finally tells you to go in.
Consider this us telling you.
Quick Look at the Six Spots for Fortune Centre Food Places
Name of Restaurant | Trending Dish | SENDs Rating | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
Salted Egg Chicken Rice with Fried Egg | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ to $$ | |
Hakka Thunder Tea Rice with Brown Rice | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ to $$ | |
Kaya Toast and Prawn Noodle Soup | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ | |
Nasi Lemak with Crispy Pork Belly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ to $$ | |
Authentic Clam Noodles with Chinese Wine | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ | |
Fresh Pasta (Squid Ink Tagliatelle, Beetroot Fusilli) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$ |
1. New Station Rice Bar and Station Rice Bar at Fortune Centre
Price: $ to $$
SENDs Ratings:⭐⭐⭐⭐
New Station Rice Bar is a well loved eatery on the third floor of Fortune Centre, continuing the legacy of the original Station Snack Bar at Orchard Plaza. This hidden gem offers zi char-style local dishes like salted egg chicken rice with fried egg, pork belly rice, and their signature curry chicken cutlet rice with onsen egg. The chicken katsu is crispy and juicy, making it a substantial meal at affordable prices.
The real black garlic chicken soup here is a treat for the soul, with its thick mushroom soup base and umami-rich flavor. You can also find fried rice and fried chicken dishes that satisfy office workers looking for a hearty lunch.
Good Vibes for: Those craving local classics like mapo tofu, char kway teow, and two dishes meals with fried beancurd skin or chive pork dumplings.
Hard Pass if: You want fine dining or a quiet atmosphere. This spot is bustling and casual.
SENDs Hack: Try the salted egg chicken rice with fried egg paired with a bowl of the comforting black garlic chicken soup for a filling lunch.
2. Pine Tree Cafe: Vegetarian Food and Local Delights
Price: $ to $$
SENDs Ratings:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pine Tree Cafe is a vegetarian restaurant popular among temple-goers from Cho Temple and Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple nearby. Known for its Hakka thunder tea rice featuring brown rice and black fungus, this cafe offers vegetarian versions of local dishes like fried hor fun, curry fish head with rice, and fried rice.
They also serve dishes with mock meat and fried beancurd skin, making it a haven for vegetarians and vegans seeking local delights without compromise. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, perfect for a light bite or a substantial meal made with organic ingredients.
Good Vibes for: Vegetarians, vegans, and those seeking wholesome local classics with a plant-forward twist.
Hard Pass if: You prefer meat-centric meals.
SENDs Hack: Order the Hakka leicha rice or the special brown rice noodle for a nutritious and satisfying meal.
3. Bao Er Cafe: Light Bites and Local Staples
Price: $
SENDs Ratings:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bao Er Cafe is one of the few Fortune Centre food places that opens early, making it a great spot for breakfast or a quick bite. Their kaya toast pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or teh, while the prawn noodle soup and yang zhou fried rice are popular lunch choices.
The cafe’s cozy, no-frills atmosphere attracts both regulars and temple visitors looking for comforting, affordable meals to start their day or recharge midday. Friendly service and consistent quality make Bao Er Cafe a reliable choice for simple, satisfying local flavors.
Discover more must-try cafes in Singapore by clicking here!
Good Vibes for: Morning routines, casual meetups, and light bites between meals.
Hard Pass if: You’re after a full-course meal.
SENDs Hack: Try the prawn noodle soup at Bao Er Cafe followed by a coffee and cookie at the coffee cafe bar for a perfect combo.
4. Madness Nasi Lemak: Local Classics and Nasi Lemak
Price: $ to $$
SENDs Ratings:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Madness Nasi Lemak is a straightforward stop for classic nasi lemak with a twist, featuring crispy pork belly instead of fried chicken, sambal, egg, and coconut rice. The Nasi Lemak Nyonya Pork Rendang is a robust favorite among locals.
This unpretentious eatery prides itself on delivering authentic flavors that capture the essence of traditional Malaysian nasi lemak, making it a go-to for those craving a hearty, comforting meal that doesn’t break the bank. The generous portions and well-balanced spice levels ensure satisfaction for both casual diners and nasi lemak aficionados alike.
Good Vibes for: Fans of local delights and traditional desserts seeking reasonable prices.
Hard Pass if: You want international cuisine or fusion dishes.
SENDs Hack: Pair your nasi lemak with a side of fried egg and finish with a bowl of yam paste or chendol for a complete local experience.
5. Wawa Lala Bee Hoon: Authentic Clam Noodles and Fresh Cockles
Price: $
SENDs Ratings:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wawa Lala Bee Hoon is famous for its authentic clam noodles served with Chinese wine, available with rice noodles or glass noodles. The fresh clams are sourced from West Malacca and Perak, kept alive in seawater tanks before cooking to ensure freshness.
The menu also features fresh cockles marinated in Wawa special sauce, a spicy and tangy treat that pairs well with the clam broth. Cherry tomatoes add a subtle sweetness to some dishes, balancing the umami flavors.
Good Vibes for: Seafood lovers and fans of authentic Teochew-style clam dishes.
Hard Pass if: You’re not a fan of shellfish or strong flavors.
SENDs Hack: Opt for the clam noodles with Chinese wine for a comforting, hearty meal.
6. New Green Pasture Cafe: Organic Ingredients and Fresh Pasta
Price: $$
SENDs Ratings:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Green Pasture Cafe stands out for its commitment to organic ingredients and healthy options. Offering brown rice dishes, fresh pasta like squid ink tagliatelle and beetroot fusilli, and a selection of craft beers, it appeals to those seeking a balanced meal.
The cafe’s menu is thoughtfully curated to cater to health-conscious diners who don’t want to compromise on flavor. Its cozy ambiance provides a relaxing environment, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely lunch or dinner away from the bustle of the city.
Good Vibes for: Food lovers wanting variety, from fresh pasta to grilled dishes and Japanese izakayas.
Hard Pass if: You prefer quick, casual eats without the wait.
SENDs Hack: Pair a fresh pasta dish with a craft beer for a satisfying dinner.
Quick Shoutouts to Other Memorable Dining Spots: Bao Er Cafe, Centre Food, and Other Restaurants
Fortune Centre’s food scene also includes other local dishes like mapo tofu, yam paste, and traditional Chinese desserts such as silky smooth almond cream and tofu pudding at Yat Ka Yan. These traditional desserts provide a sweet finish to any meal.
Nearby, Tracy Juice Culture offers a unique twist with its focus on fresh fruit juices and vegan-friendly dishes. Their signature vegan udon noodles, served in a rich mushroom broth, and inventive fruit juice curry udon showcase the cafe’s commitment to wholesome, flavorful meals. This spot is a quiet refuge for health-conscious diners looking for something both nourishing and delicious.
Together, these eateries add to the diverse culinary tapestry of Fortune Centre, offering everything from traditional breakfasts to innovative vegan fare and hearty local dishes, ensuring there’s something for every palate.
Why Fortune Centre Food Places Stay With Us
Fortune Centre is never going to win a design award. It won’t trend, and it doesn’t seem to want to.
But that’s the reason we keep returning. The food here exists for the people who actually eat it, day after day, not for a feed. You’ve got a Japanese bar behind a vending machine, two vegetarian kitchens reworking the dishes we grew up on, a corner curry shop feeding office workers on a budget, and a juice cafe quietly doing its own strange, lovely thing. None of it is loud. All of it means something to someone.
If you go, take the slow lift up and wander a little before you decide. Let the place feel ordinary first. The food will do the rest. Whether you come for the mushroom udon, the chicken katsu curry, or just a single warm rice ball pressed by hand, Fortune Centre has a way of sending you home fuller than you arrived.
If you want to explore more dining choices, maybe over at Orchard Plaza, visit Social Eats ‘N’ Drink to discover what is worthy to try in that location! We’re always somewhere quiet, eating something worth remembering.
