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 Seven 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 Butter Toast and Fried Hokkien Mee | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ | |
Vegetarian Unagi Bento / Japanese Vegetarian Sushi | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | |
Authentic Clam Noodles with Chinese Wine | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ | |
Japanese Skewers / Donburi / Sashimi | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | |
Green Pasture Rice Set / Vegetarian Sushi Roll | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$ |
1. New Station Rice Bar and Station Rice Bar at Fortune Centre
Price: $ to $$
SENDs Ratings:⭐⭐⭐⭐
New Station Rice Bar is a well loved eatery on the third floor of Fortune Centre, continuing the legacy of the original New Station Snack Bar at Far East 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 is a warming chicken broth made with month-fermented black garlic, giving it sweet, tangy and umami depth. This hearty meal is a favorite among office workers seeking local comfort food that satisfies both taste and appetite.
What makes New Station Rice Bar unique is its ability to serve authentic local dishes like the salted egg chicken rice with fried egg alongside comforting soups, creating a fulfilling dining experience that highlights the best of Fortune Centre food. Their use of rich salted egg sauce and traditional cooking techniques ensures every bite bursts with flavor, making it a standout spot for those craving familiar Singaporean favorites.
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. Their signature Hakka Thunder Tea Brown Rice is a fragrant, wholesome vegetarian meal, featuring a nutty, herbal broth poured over brown rice and fresh vegetables that highlight the authentic flavors of traditional Hakka cuisine.
The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, perfect for a light bite or a substantial meal made with fresh, plant-based ingredients, setting Pine Tree Cafe apart as a top choice for living wholesome vegetarian dining at Fortune Centre.
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. Their signature prawn noodle soup boasts a rich, flavorful broth infused with fresh prawns, delivering a satisfying and authentic taste that keeps diners coming back. Friendly service and consistent quality make Bao Er Cafe a reliable choice for simple, satisfying local flavors, especially for those craving a filling meal in a casual setting.
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. Herbivore: Japanese Vegetarian Food That Doesn't Feel Like a Compromise
Price: $$
SENDs Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Herbivore is one of the restaurants that best explains why Fortune Centre has become such a reliable destination for vegetarian food. Located on the ground floor at #01-13/14, it specialises in Japanese and Western-style vegetarian cuisine, using plant-based ingredients to create vegetarian dishes that would interpret traditionally rely on meat or seafood.
The Japanese side of the menu is the main reason we’d add it to this list. Expect vegetarian versions on sushi, udon, curry rice, donburi and bento sets, with ingredients such as soy, konjac, mushrooms, seaweed and vegetables taking the place of conventional meat and seafood. Current Fortune Centre coverage highlights dishes such as vegetarian unagi bento, sushi rolls and cold natto soba.
What makes Herbivore useful in this particular guide is that it feels more like a full sit-down restaurant than a quick vegetarian stall. That makes it a good option when you want something more substantial than a mixed-rice lunch but still want to stay within Fortune Centre’s plant-based food culture.
Good Vibes for: Vegetarians, vegan-friendly dining groups, Japanese food lovers, and anyone curious about plant-based versions of sushi and unagi.
Hard Pass if: You’re specifically looking for traditional raw-fish sushi or meat-heavy Japanese dishes.
SENDs Hack: Start with one of the vegetarian sushi or unagi-style dishes before ordering curry or noodles. It’s the easiest way to understand what makes Herbivore different from the other vegetarian restaurants in the building.
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. Their signature clam bee hoon is renowned for its rich, savory broth infused with Chinese wine, offering a comforting and hearty seafood experience.
What makes Wawa Lala Bee Hoon unique is its dedication to sourcing fresh clams kept alive in seawater tanks, ensuring premium seafood quality that elevates every bowl. This commitment to freshness and authentic Teochew-style clam noodles sets it apart in Fortune Centre food offerings.
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. Hikari Izakaya: Affordable Japanese Comfort Food Upstairs
Price: $$
SENDs Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hikari Izakaya is a cosy Japanese restaurant tucked away on the third floor of Fortune Centre at #03-01. It focuses on approachable izakaya-style food, with a menu built around skewers, donburi, sashimi and other Japanese comfort dishes rather than elaborate fine dining. That makes it a good option when you want something satisfying and casual without leaving the building.
The appeal here is variety. You can settle in for a proper meal with a rice bowl, order a few grilled skewers to share, or add sashimi if you are in the mood for something lighter. The intimate setup also gives it more of a neighbourhood izakaya feel than a polished mall restaurant, which fits Fortune Centre’s slightly hidden, regular-driven dining culture.
Good Vibes for: Japanese food lovers, casual dinners, small groups, and anyone craving skewers, sashimi or rice bowls.
Hard Pass if: You are looking for a large, flashy Japanese restaurant or an elaborate omakase experience.
SENDs Hack: Go with a small group and order a mix of skewers and sharing dishes alongside a donburi so you can try more of the menu.
7. New Green Pasture Cafe: Wholesome Vegetarian Comfort Food
Price: $$
SENDs Ratings:⭐⭐⭐⭐
New Green Pasture Cafe stands out for its health-conscious approach to vegetarian dining. Its menu centres on organic brown-rice sets, fresh salads, soups, vegetarian sushi and hand rolls, alongside other wholesome Asian-inspired dishes made with plant-based ingredients.
The brown-rice sets are especially representative of the cafe’s style, pairing whole grains with vegetables, plant-based proteins, and simple sides for a balanced, comforting meal. You’ll also find fresh salads, warming soups, and vegetarian sushi rolls that add variety for anyone who prefers Japanese- and Asian-inspired flavours.
What makes them unique is that rather than chasing trends, New Green Pasture Cafe focuses on straightforward, nourishing food built around vegetables, grains, and plant-based ingredients.
Good Vibes for: Vegetarians, health-conscious diners, and anyone craving wholesome brown-rice sets, fresh salads, soups, or vegetarian sushi.
Hard Pass if: You prefer quick, casual eats without the wait.
SENDs Hack: Go for one of the brown-rice sets on your first visit, then add a salad, soup or vegetarian sushi roll if you want a more substantial meal.
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.
