15 Under 15: Healthy lunch bowls in the CBD
Thinking of where to eat during the lunch hour in the CBD area? You don’t have to wrack your brain – we’ve got your back.
Text: Bella Tan
Credit: Pexels
For many of us, it is time to go back to the office in the CBD — when you are dealing with deadlines and a hectic workload, it can be quite tempting to turn to fast food for lunch for a quick fix. Some of us might prefer to do our own meal prep and bring a lunch box to work but not all of us have the luxury of time. If you are looking for something healthy, quick and convenient, these are the 15 healthy lunch options in the CBD which are good for you and wallet-friendly.
1. Wafuken
At Wafuken, food is cooked using the sous-vide method – which allows the meat to retain its juicy texture and flavour. For those of us who are more budget-conscious, they have the Niku Chirashi Donburi for $12 which comprises of a generous serving of proteins: Sous-vide chicken breast, Oyster blade steak, Smoked duck and Onsen egg complete with a bowl of Furikake Japanese brown or white rice. We like the fact that you can add just $2 for a wide assortment of vegetables ranging from Spicy miso bok choy, Wafu/Chuka sesame salad, and Sesame spinach salad to Steamed cabbage.
2. Autobus
Autobus has an interesting concept: a bicycle-themed cafe with affordable dining options. For the price of $11, you can choose either brown rice or penne pasta as your base, proteins such as baked dory and simmered beef with onions, as well as two sides including garlic butter broccoli and purple sweet potato. The meal comes with a complimentary dressing such as basil pesto, roasted sesame dressing and truffle vinaigrette as well as a topping such as Furikake, mixed seeds and parmesan cheese – eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring!
3. Poke Theory
Credit: A Poke Theory
Poke Theory is probably one of the more well-known dining establishments, with over 17 outlets across Singapore. If you are hard-pressed for time, they have their Signature Poke Bowls specially curated by their “poke experts” which come with a whopping 7 toppings, 3 garnishes, ramen egg and a unique sauce. Feeling just a bit peckish? Their $8.90 Acai Bowls are laden with antioxidant-rich toppings such as blueberries and goji berries. They also have healthy alternatives such as oven-baked salmon skin as well as kale chips to satisfy your snack cravings throughout the day.
4. Haakon
It has been some time since I ate at Haakon, and their menu has gone through a massive revamp, with a dizzying array of choices. The Smoked Salmon Lox, priced at $10.90, is probably one of the most wallet-friendly items on the menu – the perfect substitute for Eggs Benedict. Their grain bowls such as the Omu Beef Rice Bowl($12.90) or the Japanese Curry Chicken Rice Bowl will appeal to those who love Japanese food. Looking for more exotic flavours? Try their Asian White Fish Bowl($12.90) or the Black Pepper($11.90) and Tofu and Quinoa Bowl($10.90).
5. Dosirak
Unlike its competitors, Dosirak stands out from the crowd with the Korean-inspired grain bowls. Popular flavours include Beef Bulgogi($9.90), Kimchi Tofu($7.90) and Spicy Chicken($8.90) which comes with 5 sides and white rice. Top up $1 for Brown rice or $2 for Five Grain Rice. Feeling brave? Get the Omma Gochuchang for an extra fiery kick to your dish.
6. Aloha Poke
Credit: Aloha Poke
Aloha Poke was founded by a couple who missed Hawaii so much that they wanted to “bring a taste of Hawaii back home”– hence they decided to start experimenting. The cafe has come a long way from its humble beginnings and reception has largely been positive, especially from publications such as Tatler Singapore and Her World. Prices start from $12, with a choice of Tuna and Salmon and 6 complimentary add-ons.
Are you sick and tired of the usual lunch bowls? Hailing from the north of Singapore, Ah Lock & Co believes in reinventing Singapore’s Hakka food while keeping it authentic. Chef recommendations include the Hakka Salmon Rice Bowl($11.80) featuring pan-seared salmon lying on a bed of broccoli as well as the Hakka Crispy Chicken Rice Bowl($7.80) with a drizzling of Ah Lock’s special Mayo on a succulent chicken cutlet. Still famished? The peanut Min Jiang Kueh or the Matcha Tofu Pudding will leave you sated.
Chirashi King Kong promises to bring you the freshest cuts of sushi in a bowl. For only $10.90, you can enjoy a Salmon Bowl with 8 generous chunks of salmon atop their signature Truffle Rice. With an additional $4, you get to tuck into a mouthwatering Swordfish Bowl with 8 slices of swordfish. They also have a $14.90 Barachirashi Bowl with a mix of salmon, tuna, swordfish, crabstick, salmon and cucumber.
9. Kenboru
Credit: Kenboru
Kenboru is the epitome of umami, serving savoury poke bowls with complex flavours such as Smoked Salmon Mentaiko with a scoop of fish roe and seaweed($10.90), well-marbled smoked duck breast($7.90) and specially marinated Grilled Teriyaki Chicken($6.90). Each bowl comes with an assortment of vegetables including tomatoes, pickles, cucumber as well as a sous-vide egg and slightly charred mentaiko sauce.
10. Heybo
Started by the same masterminds behind Saladstop, Heybo caters to consumers with bigger appetites – there is a carb option with every bowl. Inspired by their travels all over Southeast Asia, the bowls have impressive-sounding names to match their personality. Shibuya Nights($12.90) is reminiscent of the Shibuya Shopping District. Mighty Mekong($9.90) reminds me of the Mekong River, and Spice Trade($9.90) lives up to its namesake.
11. Bowls and Bites
Bowls and Bites has a huge emphasis on protein, which is great for protein junkies and those on ketogenic diets. Their Avalanche Pork Bowl has 300g of pork for the economical cost of $12.90–perfect for an intense weightlifting session. If that is not up your alley, opt for the Value Lunch combo where you get to pick from the Truffle Beef Bowl($13.90), and the Mentaiko Salmon Bowl($11.90) or the Poke Bowl($11.90).
12. The Salad Shop
Credit: The Salad Shop
Unlike your typical run-of-the-mill lunch bowl, the Salad Shop has a lot of choice and variety on its menu, such as Beetroot hummus, Feta Greek salad, Thai glass noodles and Thai papaya and mango salad. The Small Human feed size($11.80) consists of a base, 3 warm or cold sides and a small protein portion(80g). For those with more ravenous appetites, the Vegman feed size($13) allows you to pick a base, 3 warm and 3 cold sides and the Human feed size($15) comprises of a base, 3 cold sides, 2 warm sides and a full protein serving.
13. bamboo bowls
From the 100% eco-friendly compostable bowls to the ethically-sourced, organic and sugar-free ingredients used in their food – bamboo bowls aim to take care of both your health as well as the planet’s. Inspired by cities all over Asia, Bangkok by Chef Justin Hammond featuring red coconut rice curry and cashews presents an explosion of flavours on the tongue and Seoul by Chef Jay Marjaria is a tangy and fiery dish with lime gochujang tempeh.
14. Guzman Y Gomez
I can personally attest to how good Guzman Y Gomez’s food is. At only $10.90, the Burrito Bowl is filled with a bowl full of nutritious rice and vegetarian black beans. To top it off, the corn chips added a crunchy texture to the entire dish. For an additional $1, choose from premium Beef Steak, Slow Roasted Beef marinated in GYG’s signature sauce or Pan Seared Barramundi.
15. Stuff’d
Credit: foodpanda
Stuff’d is a homegrown Mexican food chain which serves a variety of gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan wraps and lunch bowls. I consider myself a pretty fussy eater, but my go-to dish at Stuff’d is always the Salmon Daily Bowl, consisting of luscious chunks of smoked salmon, with hummus, cheese, mashed potatoes and sweet corn which costs less than $10. If you have a low spice tolerance, the habanero sauce will set your tongue on fire.
Dealing with the hustle and bustle of working life can be quite exhausting, but we believe that these lunch bowls will give you the strength to power through your work day.
